inspection markings database

[GI JOE]

IS there a database of inspection markings?  Reason I ask is I continue to see so many restored cars with so many different markings I am thinking folks are putting on whatever they want to make it look factory correct...  I am an advocate for only reproducing what you find on your car as I know things changed from day to day and possibly car to car... but is anyone tracking the id and inspection marks? 

[JohnZ]

IS there a database of inspection markings?  Reason I ask is I continue to see so many restored cars with so many different markings I am thinking folks are putting on whatever they want to make it look factory correct...  I am an advocate for only reproducing what you find on your car as I know things changed from day to day and possibly car to car... but is anyone tracking the id and inspection marks? 

Tracking all the "restoration graffiti" you see out there would be like herding cats....

[GI JOE]

Thanks John,

I just keep seeing more paint marks that I have never seen in 50 yrs of looking at these cars!  It seems this conduct is polluting the GM history of what really happened.  I've been tracking the drive-shaft stripes and lately I am seeing many never before seen... now I'm seeing tie-rods with double or triple color inspection marks and rear axle housing x's, 4-10, codes, etc..etc..  makes me a little sick to think we are losing the history by these practices.  I hope someone somewhere is documenting some of them... unless I see the original untouched stripe I do not count it ... 

[68camaroz28]

Research it and make your list. Plenty of info both here and team camaro on the subject but it would need to be put together. I have paint markings found on my spindles, driveshaft, yokes, and what appeared like a crayon mark going down the bell housing and the bell housing was only painted several inches in and not all orange but it had some nice runs. Even found a pic of another orig. camaro prior to restoration that had exactly the same type of mark and bell housing was not all orange. As far as paint marks I agree there is a lot of graffiti going on but one also needs to realize that long ago restorations were not at the level of what is trying to be achieved today. I for one could not see the paint marks on any of our driveshaft bur careful soaking of the driveshaft in a five foot 4" tube with evapo-rust did the trick and bingo. I never did or thought of doing that type of stuff 15-20 years ago.

[GI JOE]

Thanks Chick, 

Did I understand you correctly...did the evapo-rust actually make the drive-shaft paint marks visible?  Were you able to determine colors and widths? I never heard of evapo-rust can you tell me more about it?  Marks on my 69 were easy to see and my 68 does not appear to have any so I may want to try this method.

I agree the level of restorations is like an exact science today...

[68camaroz28]

Thanks Chick, 

Did I understand you correctly...did the evapo-rust actually make the drive-shaft paint marks visible?  Were you able to determine colors and widths? I never heard of evapo-rust can you tell me more about it?  Marks on my 69 were easy to see and my 68 does not appear to have any so I may want to try this method.

I agree the level of restorations is like an exact science today...

Evapo-rust is one of many products that dissolves rust for an easy explanation. I have found it to work amazingly well and can be purchased here locally at PepBoys and Harbor Freight. Have used it for all kinds of pieces. To answer you question yes, I could not see or did not notice any paint on the yokes or driveshaft before the evapo-rust bath. Already had a 5' pc. of PVC pipe so purchased a $.96 cap, glued it on one end, stood the pipe up and fastened, placed the drive shaft in the tube, and then poured two gallons of evapo-rust which totally covered the drive shaft. Took it out two days later and bingo. Here are some before and after on a restoration thread I have on team camaro.
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=182584&page=19
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=182584&page=22

[GI JOE]

Wow thanks Chick,  as soon as we get past this Hurricane I am going to try this...  great pics.