Factory Correct Restoration Details

[Graham57a]

I've searched this forum for a while trying to find little details on factory restoration but I haven't found anything. I know there is a thread for 60-66 trucks but not 67-72.

The question: What are the little details (overspray, finishes, bolt types) that you've found consistent on these old trucks from the factory??

I thought it would be helpful for someone who wants to restore a truck to look factory "correct" if there was a place to compile all of these details and maybe ways that you've found to replicate some of the original details on your truck.

[Graham57a]

I'll start. Idk how accurate this is but if I were to restore an engine compartment to factory I would probably start here

[burb71]

In a way, but that is a publicity photo its meant just to look good in the sales catalog, the first thing I see wrong is the orange transmission.

But I'm with you 100% on compiling for factory correct restoration, thats the way I'm trying to do my truck

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by burb71

In a way, but that is a publicity photo its meant just to look good in the sales catalog, the first thing I see wrong is the orange transmission.

But I'm with you 100% on compiling for factory correct restoration, thats the way I'm trying to do my truck

True, I'm pretty sure the transmission is supposed to be silver. But you can see some nice details in the picture on the fuel pump and pulleys. Not 100% accurate but definitely a good start

[Andy4639]

The exhaust manifolds are for 73 and up trucks. 72 down had ram horns. Nice clean picture though.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

The exhaust manifolds are for 73 and up trucks. 72 down had ram horns. Nice clean picture though.

Are you sure? I think those look right for big blocks. Of course the colors are all wrong, but the manifolds look like my '70s originals. [Edit: Just saw I was the third person to say that, sorry!]

In my teardown I didn't find much in the way of chalk marks on the firewall, I'd be curious to see what anyone has for photos of originals that still carried them. Unless the assembly line process was different enough from the cars that they didn't use them.

I'm not aiming for Pebble Beach style correctness, but still trying to make it look stock. So I use shiny bolts where they would have been painted and so on, so don't panic when you see the photo, I'm not claiming its 100%. Still, to me one of the biggest things in keeping the engine looking original are:

1) Correct paint sheens. Most black things underhood are 20% gloss, but the radiator is different (high gloss) and so on
2) Correct clamps and hose fittings and so on
3) Clean everything (check out my clutch fan in the pic below, it was seriously ugly, and that's just a lot of time with a toothbrush)
4) Correct stickers
5) Correct plug wires, correct distributor cap (not HEI), looms, etc. Mine are even Packard wires, though not date coded (I'm not that hardcore)

...and a personal peeve, but one of the most important:

6) If they didn't make or use it in 1970, don't use it. That means no zip ties, as handy as they are. No corrugated plastic wire covers, yellow 10mm plug wires, and so on.

Although not always correct, I'm a big fan of "contrast". That means different colors on different parts, different gloss levels, and so on. That's why my shocks are blue below (and because the original GM shocks I've seen were blue) and you'll see about 8 different finishes between the control arm and the spindle. From the factory it'd probably just be all black, but I'm into the variation.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by burb71

In a way, but that is a publicity photo its meant just to look good in the sales catalog, the first thing I see wrong is the orange transmission.

But I'm with you 100% on compiling for factory correct restoration, thats the way I'm trying to do my truck

Agree. Publicity photos or pics of display engines might get you close but not 100% correct. Transmissions were in fact a natural color (silver) and the amount of paint covereage on engines and other components varied by engine plant and operator.

Here is a b&w photo of big blocks in the rack. You can infer the amount of production representative paint coverage from these, but it also gives an idea of the volume of engines used to maintain production.

Incidentally - in one of my previous jobs my responsibility was to review all the brochures, literature and print advertisements for accuracy (so I KNOW some mistakes get out! - lol).

K

[rsavage]

Don't ever remember the exhaust manifolds being painted - they were bare cast. Also, I believe they should be ram horns for our 67-72's and the wires run down the back of the block and underneath the manifolds. That photo also bothers me in another way. All the old small blocks I have had have the dipstick on the driver's side. Didn't think they started pass side until about 1980? Guess I was a little slow on the manifolds - Andy beat me to it while I was typing.

[Graham57a]

The point of this thread is to capitalize on the forgotten details that our trucks came with but were forgotten over time. I'll delete that picture if its inaccurate, let's not loose focus here
Posted via Mobile Device

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by Graham57a

The point of this thread is to capitalize on the forgotten details that our trucks came with but were forgotten over time. I'll delete that picture if its inaccurate, let's not loose focus here
Posted via Mobile Device

Were not losing focus, we are trying to focus on what you want. Details that make are break a restoration.

The picture just isn't peroid correct for our style truck. So if the person looking for help in his build see's this and assumes it correct they will be very upset when they findout it's not. Just saying...it is a nice color picture though of a small block Chevy engine.

[71blksuper4x4]

Andy, I am seeing a blown up picture of a Big Block chevy. The only small blocks are the multicolor cartoons at the bottom. It's correct as far as exhaust manifolds. Trevor

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by rsavage

Don't ever remember the exhaust manifolds being painted - they were bare cast. Also, I believe they should be ram horns for our 67-72's and the wires run down the back of the block and underneath the manifolds. That photo also bothers me in another way. All the old small blocks I have had have the dipstick on the driver's side. Didn't think they started pass side until about 1980? Guess I was a little slow on the manifolds - Andy beat me to it while I was typing.

My Father's 75 Stingray has pass side dipstick, it is numbers matching.

[rsavage]

Originally Posted by Beetle

My Father's 75 Stingray has pass side dipstick, it is numbers matching.

Yes Beetle - later small blocks did but all the 67-72 small blocks I have seen are on the driver's side as are alternators on our SB trucks. I thought they switched dip stick locations in 1979? I completely missed the fact that that picture posted was of a big block when I was commenting on the dipstick, exhaust manifolds etc.

[WadmalawJoe]

Makes me sick to my stomach for painting over all that.
Its in black and not white like everyone elses?
At least I have pictures I guess.
Posted via Mobile Device

[factorystock]

Some factory photos

[JQ-72]

With all due respect Andy, the picture is correct - the engine picturedd is a 402 big block.
JQ

[Andy4639]

Well I stand corrected then if it's a BB. I'm not a BB guy so I can't say for sure.
Graham57a my apoligizes sir.

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Well I stand corrected then if it's a BB. I'm not a BB guy so I can't say for sure.
Graham57a my apoligizes sir.

Not a problem, I'm learning just as much if not more then anyone on here. No apology needed, thank you for your input

[Andy4639]

I sure wished I had, had this board back when I started my truck. Mine isn't a orignal by no means but it would have been nice to had all the info about it captured here.

[Graham57a]

Dave how did you know what colors and finishes to paint everything on your motor and frame?
Posted via Mobile Device

[davepl]

Almost certainly just cast iron, but of course they rust in the first weeks. I used an Eastwood product, and POR-15 and others make similar. Haven't fired it yet, but from those I spoke to it'll stay looking like that for quite a while, and you can touch it up as needed.

I glass-beaded the heck out of them first to remove whatever rust I could, though a chemical dip in rust converter might have worked better. I also blasted a ton of carbon out of the insides, which surprised me. Not that manifolds flow great even when new, but these were really loaded up!

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by davepl

Almost certainly just cast iron, but of course they rust in the first weeks. I used an Eastwood product, and POR-15 and others make similar. Haven't fired it yet, but from those I spoke to it'll stay looking like that for quite a while, and you can touch it up as needed.

I glass-beaded the heck out of them first to remove whatever rust I could, though a chemical dip in rust converter might have worked better. I also blasted a ton of carbon out of the insides, which surprised me. Not that manifolds flow great even when new, but these were really loaded up!

Great pointer, thanks. Anyone else have pointers, tips, or really cherry original trucks that we can refer to??

[davepl]

Originally Posted by davepl

Almost certainly just cast iron, but of course they rust in the first weeks. I used an Eastwood product, and POR-15 and others make similar. Haven't fired it yet, but from those I spoke to it'll stay looking like that for quite a while, and you can touch it up as needed.

Since it's four years in, here's a vote for the Eastwood product, since they still look like new-cast!

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Graham57a

The question: What are the little details (overspray, finishes, bolt types) that you've found consistent on these old trucks from the factory??

I thought it would be helpful for someone who wants to restore a truck to look factory "correct" if there was a place to compile all of these details and maybe ways that you've found to replicate some of the original details on your truck.

Good question, however it is very hard to generalize and clump the 67-72 era together. Each year may have unique features and details that other years do not share. I suggest the best way to learn about how the factory did things for each year and model, search around for some super low mileage trucks the same year as yours and learn from them. Beware, not all trucks that claim low mileage are, but some of us seen enough of them now the difference. Here is a bonifide low mileage '68 to learn from.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...reggie+jackson

[Steve Hafner]

Ttt . . .