Factory Correct Restoration Details

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Twisted78SS

Interesting pic, a few things I notice that I would not have thought to be correct coming off the factory floor,

1. Hood hinges not painted
2. Hood latch assy not painted
3. Radiator hold downs not painted
4. Clamp at the base of the steering column not painted

On the upside, I do what appears to be factory writing on the firewall..

Almost correct if my 69 was typical when new. However, other years may differ since there are many subtle year-to-year changes. My radiator hold downs were painted until I blasted them and repainted them last year. The pictures above from Steve also seem to show some black paint remnants on the passenger side hold down. The hinges and hood latch assembly (both on hood and grille support) were a gray phosphate, not truly natural. Therefore, they had a fair amount of rust resistance. Mine only had a few spots of surface rust as of last year. Also, the door strikers mounted on the cab were sort of a black phosphate... not painted.

[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 . . .

[WadmalawJoe]

Do you mean to tell me that the writing on the firewall comes from the factory?

[rsavage]

Here are a few photos of small blocks from the GN Tonawanda Engine Plant. Obviously have chrome for the Hi performance applications but it will give you an idea of pulley, fan, exhaust manifolds, brackets, etc.

[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.

[cericd]

Originally Posted by WadmalawJoe

Do you mean to tell me that the writing on the firewall comes from the factory?

Yep it sure does.

[sboris]

Originally Posted by Steve Hafner

. . . .

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if those items had a "natural" finish.

The steering column and hood hinges especially.

I know that most of those items you mentioned would have been natural on a '70 Corvette.

Maybe someone else will post some pictures of an engine compartment when it WAS new.

The picture below, is the only other clear picture I have of the blue C-10 with 80 miles
. . . most of the others are just a screen save from the video that is no longer available.
It does show the rare "8 350" valve cover sticker that I'm going to have duplicated this winter for my truck.

. . . .

Wondering what is the yellow sticker on the valve cover is? Also just a little tidbit, on my 68 I uncovered factory numbers on the firewall UNDER the paint, brushed on in yellow paint on bare metal of cab. They match all the other assembly numbers found throughout.. Can't see I know, but cool.

Posted via Mobile Device

[Steve Hafner]

Originally Posted by WadmalawJoe

Do you mean to tell me that the writing on the firewall comes from the factory?

. . . .

My 70 C-10's firewall has a "B" in the upper right corner, seen in the picture below for the Baltimore assembly plant.

The "635" was the job number ( or line sequence )

. . . .

[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

[Steve Hafner]

Originally Posted by sboris

Wondering what is the yellow sticker on the valve cover is? Also just a little tidbit, on my 68 I uncovered factory numbers on the firewall UNDER the paint, brushed on in yellow paint on bare metal of cab. They match all the other assembly numbers found throughout.. Can't see I know, but cool.

Posted via Mobile Device

. . . .

The yellow sticker just describes what transmission, cab and maybe a few other things too.

I have always thought it might be so they would know what engine to pull from the "shelf" without looking at the pad on the block.

. . . .

[sboris]

Cool. Great info
Posted via Mobile Device

[Coley]

One thing to keep in mind here about GM and their trucks in that era is that they weren't those most notorious bastions of consistency on a plant by plant basis.
So what is truly original can be disputed forever in specific areas of build methods or parts. If they had to substitute stuff or improvise methods and parts on line to keep things movin'...they would.
So what might have been painted a certain color at one plant may not have been painted at all....or the same color at another plant.
All good
Coley

[MusicMan70]

I had strange markings on the side of my block before I cleaned and repainted it. Looked like something spilled or smeared (UFO crop circles) on the side of the block, then I turned it upside down; TAX.
Guess this mark was added during the engine building process?

[factorystock]

Just curious, is a 1970 TAX 255HP 350 a 2 or 4 bolt main bearing cap engine?

[MusicMan70]

factorystock
Just curious, is a 1970 TAX 255HP 350 a 2 or 4 bolt main bearing cap engine?

You'd be CorrectaMundo Sir.

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by Steve Hafner

. . . .

The yellow sticker just describes what transmission, cab and maybe a few other things too.

I have always thought it might be so they would know what engine to pull from the "shelf" without looking at the pad on the block.

. . . .

Was the yellow sticker only a small block thing??
oh and ttt

[Steve Hafner]

Originally Posted by Graham57a

Was the yellow sticker only a small block thing??
oh and ttt

. . . .

I've only seen just the one in the picture above . . . maybe someone else will remember if they were on a big block too.

[burb71]

Originally Posted by Steve Hafner

. . . .

I've only seen just the one in the picture above . . . maybe someone else will remember if they were on a big block too.

In Impala & Chevelle restoration catalogs they reproduce the yellow decals for Big Block cars but I think it says it go's on the back side of the pass valve cover, not the front as shown on the small block truck engine in this post.

[Steve Hafner]

Originally Posted by burb71

In Impala & Chevelle restoration catalogs they reproduce the yellow decals for Big Block cars but I think it says it go's on the back side of the pass valve cover, not the front as shown on the small block truck engine in this post.

. . . .

My 67 427 Corvette had a "IQ" sticker on the front of the passenger's side valve cover, like the one pictured below:

. . . .

[MrGoodpliers]

I'll make a small contribution. '72s use 12 point bolts for the hood latch. My '69 was unmolested and had 6 point bolts, so I'm not sure when they made that small change.

[71K20chevy]

Originally Posted by MrGoodpliers

I'll make a small contribution. '72s use 12 point bolts for the hood latch. My '69 was unmolested and had 6 point bolts, so I'm not sure when they made that small change.

My '71 has the stock hinge with 12 point bolts.

[71K20chevy]

Bump!