Motors Built Before Installed

[TooManyReels]

I'm sure this question has been asked many times before and if I new how to research it I would have before asking. What was the average production schedule for motors to be built/assembled prior to them meeting up with there frames and body's on the production line.  I have been reading the book, Echo's of Norwood and it does not go into that level of detail that I recall reading.  Was it one, or two weeks.  I can see stamping a motor with a number to match up with a production date, but when you look at an intake and cylinder heads dated with a one or two day production date before the motor was dated it would lead me to believe less then a week.

This book reminds me of just how great our country was back then.  Yes, they had issues, but in reading the GM history and what was accomplished without the use of computer production technology to do everything is quite an accomplishment.. What was accomplished back then (and before) without the use of the modern convinces we have at our disposal still makes me thankful for all those that forged the way for the brighter minds of today. They were working with cutting edge technology back then and in 45 years if we are still around with be thinking the same thing.

We have come a long way since then, but lost some core values along the way for what  hard work was really like, unless you work in the construction field. Those guys still have a hard job.

[Stingr69]

Depends on a lot of things.  The more popular a power plant, the faster they went through them.  Rare combinations are going to see more variation from time an engine was built to the time it was installed. 

-Mark.

[1968 Z28]

Depends on a lot of things.  The more popular a power plant, the faster they went through them.  Rare combinations are going to see more variation from time an engine was built to the time it was installed.  

-Mark.

For an example of an extended gap.....my 68 07C Z has an engine build date of 06-19.

[bcmiller]

Too many factors to give a definite answer.  Yes, it depended on the power train combination, number of cars that were being built that week, supply and demand, what was being ordered by the dealers, etc. 

Some dates are tight together, others not so much. Yes, common parts in general had tighter dates, but even that varied.

[ds1]

My May 15th built 68 Z had its engine built May the 8th.   The trans is an M 22 built March 22nd.    This supports the demand for certain drive train component usage

[vtfb68]

ds1,
 Is your car built in Ohio or California? does the trim tag read 05C?
   Thanks,
     Victor

[MyRed67]

My engine is a 210 hp. 327 2 bbl., backed up with a Powerglide, probably one of the  more popular combinations.  Engine stamp pad date is 10/26, car build date is 11A.  I purchased the NCRS Shipping Data Report, build date was actually Nov. 3 rd.  So in my case it was 8 days.

[Mike S]

............... I can see stamping a motor with a number to match up with a production date, but when you look at an intake and cylinder heads dated with a one or two day production date before the motor was dated it would lead me to believe less then a week.

Hi Eddie,

   Is your question about casting dates to engine assembly date -or- engine build date vs. car build date?

Mike

[bcmiller]

Not exactly answering your question, but it is related.

I have seen numerous small block cast on one day and assembled the next (based on casting date and assembly stamp). 

Also saw one assembled the same day it was cast.  I imagine that was cast at the start of the day and assembled at the end. 

[Mike S]

  I agree with previous answers then that the 'popularity' of the motor (standard motor vs. special) will have an impact on casting date to engine assy. date and to car install (VIN strike) date. Also, the fact that there was not 'rotate stock' practice I can see how cast dates vs. assembly dates can vary a lot.
Below is some info I can gather (except the 04B LOS I didn't take the valve covers off since 1980). Interesting the Rt side exhaust manifolds are cast the same day and the block assy dates are almost a month apart. I couldn't get a clear view with the mirror for the left side manifold.

 '67 05B NOR :
Block assembly date: T0308MW
Block cast B 22 7
Head casting (both heads) B 21 7
Intake Manifold - B 14 7
Rt. Exhaust - A 25 7

 '67 04B LOS (I don't have head casts at the moment)
Block assembly date: T0214MZ
Block cast B 6 7
Intake Manifold - B 13 7 (1 day before the engine assembly date)
Rt. Exhaust manifold - A 25 7

   Looks like due to the popularity (or non popularity) of the L35 option in '67, these assembled motors sat on a rack for close to 8 weeks before being pulled and placed into a body.
Mike

[TooManyReels]

My question is more focused on hidden numbers i.e. water pump, intake, heads, and distributor.  If I were to look at car or if someone would asked me to help them I would like to be able to help and speak without misspeaking. If it could be stated that cars built with motor parts within a week up to three weeks then I would feel that I could accurately look at a motor/parts.

Eddie

[bcmiller]

Mike, there is even a lot of variability in the L35 cars for April of 67 at LOS.  

There are some known cars with early April body assemblies that have late March assembled engines.

[Leon in Mn.]

My 67 LOS L35 396 engine is stamped TO131MZ  7L148159  January 31st?    Assembly of car 03C (3rd week of March 67)  

[Mike S]

My question is more focused on hidden numbers i.e. water pump, intake, heads, and distributor.  If I were to look at car or if someone would asked me to help them I would like to be able to help and speak without misspeaking. If it could be stated that cars built with motor parts within a week up to three weeks then I would feel that I could accurately look at a motor/parts.

Eddie

Hi Eddie,

  To add to my list posted I have the following:
04B LOS (T0214MZ)
Distributor - 7 B 6
I can't see the water pump date due to the pulley's (K19 and alternator) are still mounted

05B NOR (T0308MW)
Distributor - 7 C 2
Water pump - A 5 7 - This was on the motor when I got the car in early '80 so I don't know if it was original but the P/N 3856284 looks correct.

  Interesting topic....I learn more about my cars with these type of questions :-)

Mike

[janobyte]

Z's                04D

block             V0423
Driver's head  C18  3917291
Pass head       D38 3917291
Trans              P8C21
Flywheel (blurry pic) 7 D 18 ?  (sound right?)
Intakes on it.
Fuel tank          68 41
wheels          K 18 3 20 DF

(at work)  exhaust manifolds, can't make out from my pics, can post tomorrow.

other than the early head  (clearly C) ,dates pretty close to build date start, block very.