1
Decoding/Numbers / Re: 1969 Z/28 Firewall markings
« on: September 25, 2024, 01:16:44 PM »
Thanks Kurt. Interesting!
News:
Welcome to the CRG Discussion Forum!
Classified ads are not allowed on the forum.
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
2
Decoding/Numbers / Re: 1969 Z/28 Firewall markings
« on: September 24, 2024, 12:46:45 AM »
I found the related post to this topic. It's under "Originality/Gas Tank and Heater Core Markings" dated back to Feb. 2022. There was a lot of very interesting contributions and pictures from the CRG community.
3
Decoding/Numbers / Re: 1969 Z/28 Firewall markings
« on: September 24, 2024, 12:25:24 AM »
Here are pictures of the "63" written on my fuel tank and on the interior heater core housing. The marking was on the upper driver's side corner of the fuel tank, and located on the heater box where I placed the sticky note.
If others can share similar pictures of their original body sequence markings on the firewall, lower from valance panel, spare tire, and any other components would be great. Please include a note the assembly plant, year, and trim tag build date will help define a time period during the 1967, '68, and/or '69 model year when the sequence numbers were applied. If you could also include the VIN number, this will more specific.
I'll search and note where the related topic is located on CRG and let you know.
Thanks,
Dave
If others can share similar pictures of their original body sequence markings on the firewall, lower from valance panel, spare tire, and any other components would be great. Please include a note the assembly plant, year, and trim tag build date will help define a time period during the 1967, '68, and/or '69 model year when the sequence numbers were applied. If you could also include the VIN number, this will more specific.
I'll search and note where the related topic is located on CRG and let you know.
Thanks,
Dave
4
Decoding/Numbers / Re: 1969 Z/28 Firewall markings
« on: September 23, 2024, 05:42:20 PM »
As I think more about this topic, I can understand why a body sequence number would have been written on exterior surface the interior heater core housing. This was to quickly identify and match the correct unit to the car as it approach the assembly station. There were the (4) combinations of SB and BB housing assemblies with and without AC. Since I have photo documentation of the number "63" written on my heater core box and fuel tank, I replicated it on these two components during the restoration. I wrote "63" on my lower front valance. I may decide to also write it on the firewall but waiting to see it on a survivor built in the April - May - June 1969 time frame.
5
Decoding/Numbers / Re: 1969 Z/28 Firewall markings
« on: September 23, 2024, 05:10:55 PM »
Here is a pic of the number 18 Camaro next in line.
6
Decoding/Numbers / Re: 1969 Z/28 Firewall markings
« on: September 23, 2024, 05:09:45 PM »
Interesting topic and one that I have been doing research on for a number of years, and try to photo document when I find them.
I have seen body build sequence numbers on survivor 1st Gen Camaros that included the same number on the firewall and written on the inside surface of the lower front valance panel as a final subassembly of the entire front fenders and grill. At the Norwood assembly plant, the body from the firewall rearward was near completed by Fisher body, while the the front sheet metal subassembly was completed on Chevrolet's final assembly side of overall build process. According to the book Echoes of Norwood, a great book about the history of the plant, it explains Norwood at some point in time starting writing a body sequence number on the firewall from 001 - xxx or the final number body built each day. The next day, the plant would start over with 001 accordingly. It was easier for the assembly operators to see the large number written on the firewall rather than read the small body number embossed on the body trim tag. The sequence numbers helped operators match specific parts to the correct car moving down the assembly line. When the body was complete the body build "broadcast sheet" taped to the firewall (shown in the picture) was transferred and taped to the inside front glass. There is a good picture of this in the Echoes of Norwood book.
I have also seen the body sequence number written on the top surface of the inner heater core box, on top of the fuel tank, and occasionally on the inside surface of the spare tire rim. My 05A '69 Norwood build Z28 had "63" written on the top surface of the heater core box and on the top surface of the fuel tank. There is a discussion on CRG where folks have shared pictures of their original sequence numbers on these components. It appears when the body broadcast sheet was published daily thru the assembly operations, and the subassembly folks must have written the sequence number on parts ahead of when the car showed up at their assembly stations. I stand corrected on this but not sure why this practice has been seen on some parts. What is interesting, the fuel tank was common on all Camaros regardless of engine size and option content. This leads to my speculation that some fuel tank subassembly was completed prior to the body showing up at the assembly station. I assume/speculate that the specific fuel sending unit for an SS or car with a vapor return line which required two fuel lines run front to back vs. Z28 or car that did not include a vapor return line and had a single fuel line installed. Thus, several fuel tanks were preassembled and had a body sequence number written on it to be ready for the corresponding car when it showed up in the assembly station. Off-line preassembly of some components saved time. The spare tire was specific to a Z28 or SS car with 15-inch rims vs. a car that called for a standard 14" spare tire rim.
Attached is a picture of the body-in-white sheet metal assembly process on a 1st Gen Camaro. As I studied the picture and enlarged it, it shows a sequence number 17 in the upper surface of the trans tunnel, on the car the operator is positioning the sheet metal top onto. The next Camaro in line includes what appears to be a 18 written in the same location.
Thanks in advance if folks could share pictures of any original body and component sequence numbers.
Dave
I have seen body build sequence numbers on survivor 1st Gen Camaros that included the same number on the firewall and written on the inside surface of the lower front valance panel as a final subassembly of the entire front fenders and grill. At the Norwood assembly plant, the body from the firewall rearward was near completed by Fisher body, while the the front sheet metal subassembly was completed on Chevrolet's final assembly side of overall build process. According to the book Echoes of Norwood, a great book about the history of the plant, it explains Norwood at some point in time starting writing a body sequence number on the firewall from 001 - xxx or the final number body built each day. The next day, the plant would start over with 001 accordingly. It was easier for the assembly operators to see the large number written on the firewall rather than read the small body number embossed on the body trim tag. The sequence numbers helped operators match specific parts to the correct car moving down the assembly line. When the body was complete the body build "broadcast sheet" taped to the firewall (shown in the picture) was transferred and taped to the inside front glass. There is a good picture of this in the Echoes of Norwood book.
I have also seen the body sequence number written on the top surface of the inner heater core box, on top of the fuel tank, and occasionally on the inside surface of the spare tire rim. My 05A '69 Norwood build Z28 had "63" written on the top surface of the heater core box and on the top surface of the fuel tank. There is a discussion on CRG where folks have shared pictures of their original sequence numbers on these components. It appears when the body broadcast sheet was published daily thru the assembly operations, and the subassembly folks must have written the sequence number on parts ahead of when the car showed up at their assembly stations. I stand corrected on this but not sure why this practice has been seen on some parts. What is interesting, the fuel tank was common on all Camaros regardless of engine size and option content. This leads to my speculation that some fuel tank subassembly was completed prior to the body showing up at the assembly station. I assume/speculate that the specific fuel sending unit for an SS or car with a vapor return line which required two fuel lines run front to back vs. Z28 or car that did not include a vapor return line and had a single fuel line installed. Thus, several fuel tanks were preassembled and had a body sequence number written on it to be ready for the corresponding car when it showed up in the assembly station. Off-line preassembly of some components saved time. The spare tire was specific to a Z28 or SS car with 15-inch rims vs. a car that called for a standard 14" spare tire rim.
Attached is a picture of the body-in-white sheet metal assembly process on a 1st Gen Camaro. As I studied the picture and enlarged it, it shows a sequence number 17 in the upper surface of the trans tunnel, on the car the operator is positioning the sheet metal top onto. The next Camaro in line includes what appears to be a 18 written in the same location.
Thanks in advance if folks could share pictures of any original body and component sequence numbers.
Dave
7
Restoration / Re: 1969 Cowl Hood Spring
« on: September 19, 2024, 04:14:34 PM »
Update...My hood droops closed on its own....again!
The new Jegs hood springs worked at first to keep my hood open but now the hood closes on its own just as it did with my original hood springs. For now, I re-installed the SS hood spring to keep the hood open. Even with the SS hood springs, the hood tend to droop down about 4 - 5 inches.
I need to focus on the hinges because they must have too much wear in the rivet pivot joints. I plan to prop open the hood, remove the spring, and unbolt the hinge from the hood (one hinge at a time) to get a closer look for loose rivet joints.
I assume my hinges are warn out and will consult with Willie Wilson at Hood Hinge Repair. Based on reviews they do good work, but I prefer they not paint the hinges so that I can have them re-plated in gray phosphate as original.
I will keep you posted!
The new Jegs hood springs worked at first to keep my hood open but now the hood closes on its own just as it did with my original hood springs. For now, I re-installed the SS hood spring to keep the hood open. Even with the SS hood springs, the hood tend to droop down about 4 - 5 inches.
I need to focus on the hinges because they must have too much wear in the rivet pivot joints. I plan to prop open the hood, remove the spring, and unbolt the hinge from the hood (one hinge at a time) to get a closer look for loose rivet joints.
I assume my hinges are warn out and will consult with Willie Wilson at Hood Hinge Repair. Based on reviews they do good work, but I prefer they not paint the hinges so that I can have them re-plated in gray phosphate as original.
I will keep you posted!
8
Restoration / Re: 1969 Cowl Hood Spring
« on: July 30, 2024, 10:40:53 PM »
When I installed the new Jegs hood springs, they were considerably stronger (higher tension) than my originals and the repro OER springs I purchased last year from Heartbeat City Camaro.
9
Restoration / Re: 1969 Cowl Hood Spring
« on: July 30, 2024, 10:36:43 PM »
All,
I received the Jegs #78592 hood springs today. They work great and keep the hood up even when I close the hood nearly halfway. The hood stays put and does not slam shut. Thanks for the tip about Jegs hood springs!
I did not get a picture of the Jegs springs side-by-side next my original springs but they look nearly identical.
The only issue for me is they are painted a nice satin black. To be technically correct the springs should be gray phosphate plated. I have it on my winter project list to have a local plating shop strip the paint and plate them. Just glad I finally solved the “hood will not stay up” issue.
BTW…learned a great way to remove/install hood springs. Cut a fan belt in half and loop it thru the hook end of the spring. Protect your fender with a fender cover. Brace your body against the fender and pull the spring hook off the hood hinge. It’s easy and quick!
I received the Jegs #78592 hood springs today. They work great and keep the hood up even when I close the hood nearly halfway. The hood stays put and does not slam shut. Thanks for the tip about Jegs hood springs!
I did not get a picture of the Jegs springs side-by-side next my original springs but they look nearly identical.
The only issue for me is they are painted a nice satin black. To be technically correct the springs should be gray phosphate plated. I have it on my winter project list to have a local plating shop strip the paint and plate them. Just glad I finally solved the “hood will not stay up” issue.
BTW…learned a great way to remove/install hood springs. Cut a fan belt in half and loop it thru the hook end of the spring. Protect your fender with a fender cover. Brace your body against the fender and pull the spring hook off the hood hinge. It’s easy and quick!
10
General Discussion / Re: 69 Front Seat Belt Tunnel Bolt Covers
« on: July 22, 2024, 04:35:08 PM »
All,
My 05A Norwood build '69 Z28 has the same type 3 Anchor covers that Clete posted. I purchased my Camaro back in 1995 with just over 45K original miles. My Camaro had a quarter panel replaced and was repainted under previous ownership; however, the interior appeared to be original with the code 713 black Houndstooth deluxe interior and date coded seat belts with Anchor Type 3 covers.
My 05A Norwood build '69 Z28 has the same type 3 Anchor covers that Clete posted. I purchased my Camaro back in 1995 with just over 45K original miles. My Camaro had a quarter panel replaced and was repainted under previous ownership; however, the interior appeared to be original with the code 713 black Houndstooth deluxe interior and date coded seat belts with Anchor Type 3 covers.
11
Restoration / Re: 1969 Cowl Hood Spring
« on: July 11, 2024, 07:26:59 PM »
Sauron327,
Good point. I will remove the springs and recheck the rivet points for sloppy joints. Thx!
Good point. I will remove the springs and recheck the rivet points for sloppy joints. Thx!
12
Restoration / Re: 1969 Cowl Hood Spring
« on: July 10, 2024, 09:27:48 PM »
Kurt, I checked the rivet pivot points for wear a did not find any loose joints. Checked the spring attachment slots and they has some wear but still look good.
13
Restoration / Re: 1969 Cowl Hood Spring
« on: July 10, 2024, 08:53:28 PM »
Thanks! I check out the Jegs springs.
14
Restoration / Re: 1969 Cowl Hood Spring
« on: July 09, 2024, 11:33:07 PM »
Iowa Jon, just discovered Jegs offers OER item #3907627 hood springs listed for 1967-69 cowl hood. I believe the OER springs I purchased from Heartbeat City Camaro are the same springs, but my OER spring tension is not as strong as what you described.
15
Restoration / Re: 1969 Cowl Hood Spring
« on: July 09, 2024, 11:18:01 PM »
Just tested the clean original 3877203 hood springs I purchased on eBay. Unfortunately the spring tension is very weak and they do not hold the hood up. My hood is the original cowl hood so the 203 spring is the correct spring. Just like my original hood springs, they allow the hood to fall and slam shut.
I reinstalled the OER reproduction springs for now as they will hood the hood open but as soon as you begin to pull the hood down, I must hang onto the hood or it will slam shut. My only other option is find a better quality repro set of springs. I use the springs from Jegs that Iowa Jon used.
I guess we cannot trust a used set of springs.
I reinstalled the OER reproduction springs for now as they will hood the hood open but as soon as you begin to pull the hood down, I must hang onto the hood or it will slam shut. My only other option is find a better quality repro set of springs. I use the springs from Jegs that Iowa Jon used.
I guess we cannot trust a used set of springs.