Yesterday I did my level best to buy from the local speed shops. All I wanted was a set of header gaskets. They didn't have any in stock, and wouldn't order any for me either. They told me to just call Summit.

Obviously JUST a set of header gaskets isn't worth their time and effort, but I ended up spending $500 on other stuff as well since I was ordering. I most likely would have bought the same stuff locally - if they were actually willing to talk to somebody or pick up the phone and order me the parts. Either way I was going to be waiting for them to arrive.

Yesterday's experience has finally convinced me that attempting to support the local speed shops is a waste of time unless you have a chebby or a phord. They appeared to have all kinds of header gaskets for those.