Core Plug availability / part number

[BIGLAD]

Hi,

While in the process of replacing the Head gasket on my Van, I'm going to repace the core plugs too.
Does any one know if the part number 37D 2260 still exhists/has bought any recently?

The reason i ask is that i know since MG/Rover and Uniparts departure a lot of the part numbers changed. 37D 2260 appears on my "Legacy EPC", but in the past when i have arrived at the (now) un-"local" dealers and quote part numbers they look confused, ask what it fits and when you tell them what for, they sigh/sharp intake of breath and usually say "Nah mate, sorry"
I know you can get alternatives at the local motor factors but sods law says that when i "screwdiver"/pop the old ones out it will be Sunday afternoon.....
plus a lot of factors sell a "universal" set that contains about 10, but most are different sizes and i need 8 or maybe just 6.

Thanks,
Biglad

(PS the reason i am doing it while the head is off is because its a TD and its awkward trying to knock the new ones on with the turbo-charger in the way. Therefore i am going to lift it all off complete.)

[e692wtt]

Hmm, fairly on-topic despite first appearances this, but...

'My' local Unipart Dealer has historically been extremely helpful, but since the alleged 'takeover' of Unipart by Caterpillar (?) (more like decimation...) they aren't very helpful.

I used to be able to go in and know that if they needed to get me a part that wasn't in stock then it would be there in a couple of hours.

Nowadays? I went in in January this year to enquire about a fuel filler pipe for my Monty (existing filler was fibre-glassed up, leaked, couldn't fill tank in less than 10 minutes - familiar story to many of us?). Now 2 blokes there are extremely helpful (but apologetic that bits aren't available as they used to be, they have to get parts from dealers in West Yorkshire but in the 'good old days' dealers in Greater Manchester could supply all...) but the third isn't (guess who I got this time???).

"You can't get parts for MG-Rover Cars made before 2000"

Or so the man said, after 20 minutes on the microfiche. I got my (admittedly second hand) filler pipe off Tony, club member aka b466bmf, for nowt (painted it, rustproofed it and got it fitted for the MoT), and I got RDGelder to get me a brand new one from Ledbury for a tenner...

I get my parts from a local motor factor or a motor trade outlet, no problems... don't bother with the ex-Unipart place now.

There's a moral in there somewhere... :confused:

[Ricky]

I found the same with the Unipart (Uniprat?) dealer local to me, apparently a head set for the R series engine was going to cost me a whopping £75 (after they supplied me with an S series one, despite me telling them it was the earlier one....!) So off I trundled to my local motor factors, who got me the head set (admittedly it wasnt a brilliant make, but never mind!) for a much better £28, and just happened to have the alternator i needed "in clearance stock" (!) for £30, and an air filter (for the MG!) for a whopping £5, and they tell me they have another two when I need them.....!

There's GOT to be a moral in there!!!

[BIGLAD]

Well, would you "adam and eve it?"

I phoned the local Unipart agent today and the conversation went a bit like this.
Me- Is an old Rover part number any good to you, 37D 2260?

Unipart- Core plugs?

Me- Thats right, have you got any in stock still?

Unipart-No, but i'll probably be able to get you some, they will be about £1.20-£1.30 each if you are interested. I'll find out and call you back.

Stunned Silence (not at the price) just the helpfullness!
About 15 minutes later the phone rings:
"The core plugs- £1.26 each plus the vat"

Me- Ok, thats fine, when can i pick them up? (expecting a couple of days in the reply)

Unipart- They will be here late this afternoon.

So, the parts that i thought were going to be an absolute nightmare to get hold of weren't and i have x6 of the blighters in my grubby little hands, ready for fitment. Probably a weekend job if the forecast is ok!!
:)

[e692wtt]

Now that is how it used to be! And, indeed, how it should be...

As Meatloaf sang, "Two out of three ain't bad!" :laugh:

[BIGLAD]

Now that is how it used to be! And, indeed, how it should be...

As Meatloaf sang, "Two out of three ain't bad!" :laugh:

I Agree!!

Another thing i have learnt. A lot/all of the Unipart dealers are now "franchises" , which means they have to sell the stuff to make a profit/survive.
If its an ex-Rover place they probably rely on people thinking that they are the only place for Rover/MG parts and if they are located in a "remote" area with not much competition, they don't have to try very hard as they have the area pretty much "sewn up".
Then again if they have other Motor factors nearby all fighting for a "piece of the action" i suppose they have to try harder for peoples custom/money.
Also if you ring up with a part number it probably helps (you) by cutting down on the time they have to spend looking odd part numbers up and making them more willing to help you if you are making their life easier!

[MGTurbo]

Went into Rover yesterday and thought i would see if some fuel pipes were still available. Yes, they were, and i orded them. Today, a message saying they are NLA.... Looks like i'll be getting my money back, bloody useless Rover dealer's. I'll be going to partco for my consumables like filters and belts because they are cheaper than Rover, even when trade.

Gareth

[e692wtt]

Hmm… interesting. Our local ‘Unipart’ dealer has a good reputation that I think they are still trading off, but charge over the top prices for routine stuff like PlusGas, WD40 etc. The same family (3 brothers and their mum) has run the place for at least 20 years. They are on the main drag east out of town so there is plenty of passing trade in an urban setting and the local motor factors are on Industrial Estates which people ‘passing through’ will never find.

They’re just no use nowadays… further to the 'fuel filler pipe fiasco' I detailed above, in January 2003 I ordered an Alternator Warning Light bulb (2.0w as opposed to 1.2w for the rest of the dash lights) and the bulbs arrived the next day from an MG-Rover West Yorkshire dealer as 5.0w ‘envelope’ bulbs such as you would fit to your sidelight holders or rear registration plate lights… I can get these from, errm, anywhere but the Alternator Warning Light bulb comes free with a dedicated holder that costs, well, too much… and they weren’t readily available at the time… so I paid £1.20 for 2no. 5.0w bulbs from West Yorkshire. :confused: :confused:

The local MG-Rover ‘garage’ is about 2 miles away on the main drag south out of time, but there used to be two BLMC garages including one nearly in the town centre (sells Land Rover products now) and the Unipart place seemed to do very well then… trading off that today, 20 years on???

I use 'Andrew Page', a northern trade outlet (even though not a trade customer, I save *at least* 50% on most service items) or a local motor factor (quoted £72 or £86 for a PAS Rack for M170 RFA yesterday!) for 'many' (but not all) service items cheap and 'off the shelf' (eg an oil filter, after a bit of cross-referencing, for less than 3 notes, and Comma 20w/50 for £6.95 with an SJ classification...).

But these places need hunting out... I found the motor factor after a personal recommendation from a friend, and the trade outlet (Andy Page's) I sort-of discovered after 'Charlie Browns' (northern version of Halfords) rang them to get some HT Leads for me and I overheard the price they would be charged (ie 100% mark up... d'oh!).