Know how you feel. I'm as computer savvy as the next guy, but the computer systems for spare parts suck donkey balls.

My mate has slowly, reluctantly, kicking and screaming gone into OSCAR (waste of money) and Peach. There is a young guy who's been in the game 12 months and already knows more than me (yawn) who refuses to look in catalogues for anything, straight onto the computer into Oscar to find the part.

I might use it for some things like a tail light globe for a current model vehicle or something, but for gaskets, forget it. Gasket book, or knowledge stored in the grey thing upstairs.

I remember a few issues where they were chasing a tie rod end for a 90's non power steer Festiva. Went to the computer, and it gave part numbers but no dimensons. Ordered one, wrong, ordered another one, wrong. Ford couldn't supply it, the bloke was ready to burn the car.

I got out those funny things called verniers and drew up a diagram with measurements and then went to the catalogue and started comparing. First I went to Mazda as I knew the 121 and Festy shared some components, Guess what! The 121 tie rod has the same size, dimensions and threads! ordred 2, fitted up no problems.

He stood there stunned and shocked when the guy bought me in a 6 pack because they cost him $15 each when Ford told him $159 each if the could find them.