When times were simple

Wow! How time flies. I just bought a 1963 and a 1965 Econo. It wasn't to long ago, I could go into any auto parts store and purchase parts in-stock.
Now its a mission of love and frustration to find parts. Also to educate partsmen and women that you have to go to the books to find these parts and not rely on the computers. Any suggestions on where to order parts
THANKS

aka - the decline and eventual lombotomy of all NAPA employees.

what I can’t find over the counter, I get from mac’s and just have it shipped to me…. to be honest. if mac’s has it, I probably don’t even make an effort to check the local parts store.

http://macsautoparts.com/

Welcome to the site!!! My best advice is try to find a Mom & Pop auto parts store. Someone who has been in the business for years and years. Sadly there are many anymore, I'm lucky to have one by me

Welcome!
How about some pictures and info on your vans?

Welcome. Macs and Rock Auto carry a lot of Econo parts.

First,Welcome E-liner.Since we are now entering 51 years of these (yes,50+ years !)vans,drastic changes have come about.About the only thing that hasn't changed is the piston & block.Ignition,fuel delivery,you name it.More brands of vehicles,styles & bodies,plus accessories.Can you imagine the typed,manuals on the counters where 6 or 8 existed 30 years ago?Parts houses have had to adapt as well with computers & inventory.Mom & pop places are fading away to box stores.A lot of those people have no idea on our archaic vehicles.It'd be like me messin around on a brass lantern era Cadillac,tryin to work on,or start it.'Throttle on the wheel? Whats this spark advance thingy do?'But it is great to know some places are still around from the 'old school'.Learn to grit your teeth and 'patience,Grasshopper' while in box stores.Mainly...welcome aboard.

I bought an oil pressure sending unit fo a 67 at Napa for $7.95 the -at Mac's its $24.95 -so check around. I've bought tons of stuff from Mac's, all the window kits and rubber.

Just last year I bought my brake stuff for my Econoline @ Autozone. Went to pick another hardware kit up and they no longer carried it. Looked it up under Falcon car and they had it. So gotta play with their system a little. Keep the other autos in mind that the same or similar parts are on.

Last year I went to Advance auto to get a new thermostat housing for my A100 170 engine and after the counter person pushed a few keys on the computer she said it was no longer available, needless to say my Dart 225 had the same housing so when she looked up a 71 225 housing it was available so I ordered it and yes it fit. In the 80's I worked at a Ford dealership in parts and a friend who was there forever didn't even need a book it was all in his head like all the old parts guys - those days are long gone.