Changed my valve cover gasgets over the weekend. Wasn't too bad of a job, with exception of the coolant elbows. They leaked upon reassembly. I should have known better as everyone on the list here has mentioned how they are rarely reusable. Only took about a hour to replace them. Only other problem I had was the rubber ends of a vacuum line that were badly dry rotted. Where is a good source for GM components of molded plastic vacuum lines? I hate to pay the Generals price for a line when only the ends are bad. I was able to get a variety of rubber elbows to get the car back on the road, but I do want to get the correct u-bends replaced so the line is routed properly.

the GM replacement vacuum fittings are not that expensive, especially for being direct fit. You should be able to pick them up for $20-30.

That'* exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Paying $20-$30 for 30 cents worth of molded rubber. The coolant elbows are only $3.99 for both. You'd think that 2 very small rubber U-bends would be a little more reasonable. I can afford them, It just irritates the hell out of me to pay exorbitant prices for small necessity parts.

$20-30 is for ALL the vacuum lines, fittings and elbows

NAPA would be my first place to check. Rockauto.com and gmpartsdirect.com may have them. But if NAPA doesn't have them, there is a convenience factor in being able to take the broken ones in to your GM dealer and match them up with exact replacements without waiting for mail order.

NAPA doesn't have them. I've already checked with them. I sucked it up and bought the dealer kit.

Sure it'* probably only $.30 of material costs, but don't forget the costs of designing, setting up and running the mold. Can't forget about packaging and shipping costs to your dealer, too. There'* a lot of components that make up a price. More than what meets the eye when you think about it.

$30 for a "complete" vacuum line kit would be a bargain. I would gladly pay that for a complete kit. I will investigate this.

I am a Tool & Die/Mold Maker so I do understand the development cost and manufacturing costs, but still, GM'* parts markup is rediculous.

I did get the correct vacuum line from GM last week. It was the vacuum line from the throttle body up to the purge cannister. List was $14 and I got it for a total of $10.30. First time in a very long time that I walked out of the parts dept. and didn't feel like I just got reamed. The car ran fine because I had spliced some aftermarket elbows together, but the line wasn't routed correctly and this was preventing me from putting the engine cover on. Now it'* all back to original.