What do you make of sellers who only want to converse via email?

Bossanova5 said
Is it asking too much to speak on the phone about an item that the seller has for sale on this forum?

No, it is not.

Bossanova5 said
Specifically, big-ticket items like engines and transmissions that are hundreds of miles away from your location.
I don't understand the reluctance from a seller to speak on the phone about something that the seller has listed for sale.
Especially, when you are prepared to drive hundreds of miles and spend hours on the road to pick up the item.
The seller is a known member and has been on this forum for years and actively post parts all of the time.

Equally annoying is a vendor that ONLY communicates electronically. There may be instances where a verbal description is much easier to express and understand than a typed message.

Bossanova5 said
Please let me know if I am expecting too much from a seller

It sucks. The only way to get some of these people to change is to let them know through email that you'll refuse to move forward or ever buy from them if this is the only form of communication that they agree to.
As to your original point, I have bought and sold stuff here, at FBBO and a couple other sites. I prefer verbal for most everything. Pictures are great to have. Text is great for getting directions or times to meet.