ENGINE ASSEMBLY AND PAINT

[SSMUNDY]

Can anyone tell me to what degree were the '67 350 engines assembled before the paint was applied? I'm assuming the oil pan, timing chain cover,water pump, bell housing, and cast intake were all bolted on before paint. Were the carb, coil, distributor all added after the painting was done? Also what about the clutch inspection cover, was it painted  orange?
Thanks,
Sean

[1968RSZ28]

Sean -

Read this CRG report...  http://www.camaros.org/assemblyprocess.shtml

It will answer many of your questions.

Paul

[firstgenaddict]

dist and M/T bellhousing were installed before paint... bellhousing oversprayed along with clutch fork and boot (most of the time) and many original distributors had overspray on them as well. (they were covered with a can during painting)
If the engine was assembled at Tonowanda it would have had the exhaust manifolds installed before painting, chrome valve covers were installed before painting as well, they had overspray on the lips.

[SSMUNDY]

Thanks guys for the help.
Sean

[JohnZ]

The clutch fork was in place during painting at the engine plant, but the rubber boot wasn't - it was installed at the car assembly plant.

[firstgenaddict]

Never knew that about the clutch boot John. I had assumed (first mistake) that they were installed at Flint, thanks for the info!

[JohnZ]

Here's a piece of history for you - the first '55 V-8's on the shipping dock at Flint V-8, that shows the "bare naked" state they were in when they left the engine plant; that didn't change much until the late 70's. Note the lack of an oil filter boss, and no bosses for side engine mounts; the oil filter didn't show up until '56, and the side engine mounts showed up in '58.