Help with idler arm id

[Pat Baysinger]

I have an NOS idler arm, but I need to know if it's the right one for my '63 Electra. I know it's for a 1963 GM car. It came in a MOOG box, but who knows. Stamped on the arm is:<P>14-389 255<BR>WN 2<P>Thanks in advance<BR>Pat Baysinger

[NTX5467]

Casting numbers sometimes coincide with GM part numbers, sometimes they are a digit off from the part number, or they are strictly identification of the item at the vendor or production level. <P>Typically, on the earlier items, if it was a GM supplied part, it should probably have "GM" cast on it plus a 6 or 7 digit casting number nearby (with no spaces between the numbers). <P>Being an aftermarket item, unless someone has a vintage Moog book, it's open for debate. From what those numbers and letters look like, I suspect they are numbers which would identify the production date or production run, source, and other internal identification which only the vendor could decode.<P>The best thing would be to visually compare it to what you need--length, configuration, size of the attaching holes/studs to the vehicle and to the steering linkage.<P>Enjoy!<BR>NTX5467

[Pat Baysinger]

Thanks NTX. I figured parts produced by manufacturers other than GM would be difficult to identify. Like you said, I'll find out if I have the right part when I can compare it with the one I have on the car. <BR>Pat

[palbuick]

The Moog parts book , for the 1963 Buick shows two numbers. 1962-63 All exc Riv.<BR>Saginaw #K-5117(high performance) and K-5112<BR>Except Sagianaw # K-5000(high performance): and K-13.<BR>More than likely the numbers stamped on the part itself were factory numbers, and will be very hard to locate or identify.<BR>Hope this helps