396 dipstick tube color???

[68camaroz28]

Lot of detail in that picture like the A-arms......

[JohnZ]

Photos below show the Tonawanda engine paint booth (at 300 engines per hour) and fresh racks of big-block engines; both illustrate complete paint coverage on the exhaust manifolds.

[bergy]

I don't remember the paint line looking like that John - any idea when that pic was taken?

[JohnZ]

I don't remember the paint line looking like that John - any idea when that pic was taken?

I don't recall exactly, but it was late 60's-early 70's; BB's and SB's painted on the same line.

[68camaroz28]

I don't remember the paint line looking like that John - any idea when that pic was taken?

I don't recall exactly, but it was late 60's-early 70's; BB's and SB's painted on the same line.

Excellent information! Noticed the BB's were hung by manifold where the carb bolts on. Was that just for cast iron intakes or did they use that process for all Big Blocks? Is it safe or correct to assume SB's were completed the same way at Tonawanda? Was the same hanging process used at Flint?

[1968RSZ28]

Photo below shows the Tonawanda engine paint booth (at 300 engines per hour).

WOW, I wonder if either of those painters lived to be 50?  I can't imagine painting 300 engines/hour without wearing suitable respiratory equipment!   

Paul

[Mike S]

I can only assume (and hope) there was an updraft ventilation system pulling those fumes up and away from the workers otherwise Purple Haze sure had a real meaning from the buzzzz.
Certainly pre-OSHA days!

Mike

[tmodel66]

I painted anywhere from 3 to 6 cars a week without any kind of respirator and I'm here to tell you I wish I had spent that money and bought one. That's not including the countless hours I worked in the shop with the Bondo dust and primer flying everywhere. I'm paying for it now.

[bergy]

The side opposite the painters station is all ventillation.  Could have been later 60s - looks like a short leg water pump though. Great discussion - brings back memories.

[68camaroz28]

The side opposite the painters station is all ventillation.  Could have been later 60s - looks like a short leg water pump though. Great discussion - brings back memories.

Appears to be a water curtain in front of them.
Was hoping John or someone in the know could answer my earlier question concerning how the big blocks are shown being painted, i.e. hanging by the intakes carb bolt holes. Earlier question- Noticed the BB's were hung by manifold where the carb bolts on. Was that just for cast iron intakes or did they use that process for all Big Blocks? Is it safe or correct to assume SB's were completed the same way at Tonawanda? Was the same hanging process used at Flint?

[JohnZ]

Was hoping John or someone in the know could answer my earlier question concerning how the big blocks are shown being painted, i.e. hanging by the intakes carb bolt holes. Earlier question- Noticed the BB's were hung by manifold where the carb bolts on. Was that just for cast iron intakes or did they use that process for all Big Blocks? Is it safe or correct to assume SB's were completed the same way at Tonawanda? Was the same hanging process used at Flint?

If you take another look at the photo, the second engine is a SB - they were all (SB & BB) hung the same way at Tonawanda, and the same way at Flint (starting in 1965 at Flint).

[big iron]

Mike S,
Is that an original starter?
Bob

[Mike S]

Mike S,
Is that an original starter?
Bob

Hi Bob,
 It's the original starter.

Mike

[big iron]

Is that the original finish on the end plate?

Bob

[Mike S]

It must be because it was never restored. I examined it closely and it still has many areas left covered with what looks like semi-gloss black paint.

Mike