Yes that's what I do at the local parts store. Back in the day (1978-87), I might look them up by the bearing part number stamped in it, but I don't know if they still have the catalogs with the interchange in the back or if modern parts jocks know how to use it. Another reason I have a reliable parts person! Not everyone knows how to use and read the catalogs and the database
So true.
The bearing assembly (inner race, cage, rollers) has a number stamped into it; and the outer race has a number stamped into it.
You can buy replacements by ordering the bearing assembly (some folks call this a "cone", but that's not a term I like) by number. Same with the outer race (some folks call this a "cup". I'm not fond of the entire "Cups and Cones" terminology, but it exists.)
The idea is that a bearing assembly can be used with any one of several different outer races. Any outer race might be used with one of several bearing assemblies.
The common pairings of bearing assemblies and outer races is called a "Set". So as mentioned above, a "Set 3" and a "Set 5" describes the outer and inner bearings and races for a C1500. You could go to most any bearing supplier and ask for a Set 3 or Set 5 bearing, and get a functional equivalent.
My photo of the Toronado bearings in an earlier post--two bearing assemblies, two outer races, and the select-fit spacer--is identified by BR-23, the manufacturer's equivalent to a Set 23.
Buying the "Set" is generally less-expensive than buying the two pieces individually, assuming that what you're working on is popular enough to have a pre-packaged "Set".
Problem is, there's nothing in the stamped-in numbers to indicate what "Set" you need. I went through that when ordering side bearings for a Truetrack differential. I had to use The Power Of The Internet to discover I needed a pair of Set 76 bearings, which are still on back order at Summit. Two bearings at $46 is cheaper than the "installation kit" that comes with a bunch of stuff I don't need, at ~$140.