Mystery gasket

[3100 MPFI]

I went to the parts store to get a throttle body gasket for my 1990 Grand Prix STE (3.1 MPFI). The lady (manager) behind the counter was actually FIGHTING with me telling me that this is the proper gasket. Any idea what this gasket is really for?

[IsaacHayes]

Throttle body injection 5.7l

[geldartb]

she made you buy it. thats why i go in the stores with part numbers in hand, most of these people have the IQ of an eggplant

[3100 MPFI]

she didn't make me buy it. I told her off then and there. I also filed a complaint on her.

She started saying that she was selling auto parts since before I was born, and I proceded to tell her that I have been working on these cars since 1997. Working on them, and selling parts is two different things.

I just wanted to know what the gasket is for so the next time they try to pull this shit, I can tell them where they got off.

And I am unanimous in that.

[3400-95-Modified]

Thats the two barrel version of the 3100 ROFL....

[SappySE107]

one is for the TB, the other is for the nos. Its the performance gasket for the elusive Nitrous Grand Prix. I believe they ran a 500 shot though that big of a hole.

[3100 MPFI]

DOH!!!!! And I could have had it for only 3 bucks. Anyone know where I can get that NAAWWWWZZZZZZ throttle body?

Also, do I have to use drag radials with that setup?

<I feel so gay for writing that..... And that is pretty bad coming from me.

[95 V6 J body]

...She started saying that she was selling auto parts since before I was born...

People like that really get on my nerves. Just because you've been doing something for a long time doesn't mean you've been doing it RIGHT for a long time.
If you had the car with you, you should have asked her to show you where it goes, because you're not really sure what you're doing. See how long it would take her to realise what an idiot she was.

[IsaacHayes]

Yeah i always look up the part # before going into the store anymore. Thankfully all the employees at oriellys here now are really good and smart and can even figure out when things aren't right. One girl is pretty darn hot there too!

There was a time when I didn't look it up on their site first, I'd just bring in the part or the thing it was going on and make sure it worked. I had to do that with a 2000+ EGR gasket. They were dumbfounded and kept trying to give me an old mpfi one. I was like try 2004 impala, try 2000 grand am. Keep trying! lol

[3100 MPFI]

I go there because normally they have compentent people there.

Unfortunantly, I need the gasket so that I can even get the car running. I did tell her that if she wanted me too, when it was running, I would bring it and show it too her.

She kept saying about it being the right part, and they switched too it in 1990. That is when I told her that if that is the case, then why does my 1990 have the old style?



On a lighter note, I emailed the company and filed a complaint on her. I got an email saying that the DM is going to go have a talk to her.

Don't know if it will actually happen, but maybe it will scare her into thinking twice.

[tractorman]

I've been a mechanic for a long time... and lemme tell you about parts people. The best you can hope for is to find an obedient monkey who pushes buttons properly and does what they're told. Never EVER take advice from somebody who works behind a counter all day.

When I go to buy a part, I either look up the number beforehand or at least have a VERY good idea of what I want. Incompetence- and the arrogance that comes from not actually having to INSTALL the part in question- is rampant in parts departments/stores everywhere. Discount chains are easily the worst... but by no means the only. I've worked for dealerships for my entire career- and I'm routinely given the wrong parts by people who have the best OEM information available.