CRG documented 1969 Camaro assembly process

[Bob Jenkins]

http://www.camaros.org/assemblyprocess.shtml

excellent reading /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Kurt S]

It's still being edited, but feel free to comment on it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Stefano]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif Wow /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[SuperNovaSS]

Kurt,

That is quite an accomplishment. I'm sure most of that info took quite a but of digging and jarring of memories to get. Awesome job! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Belair62]

Very interesting stuff...

[JoeC]

great job /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
One very minor thing I notice is where he mentions Z/28 and Z-11 stripes. Should the Z-10 be added here?

[Denis]

BKH:

If I read JohnZ's report correctly, the body plugs went in after primer and before lacquer. You were right, they would probably get overspray.

[68TopStock]

I know this is about the 69 production year, but I have pics of a '67 body plug next to the area to be installed, behind the driver seat, the laquer outline of it is on the primer.

[Kurt S]

Most of the kudos go to John.
He has a great memory and good notes.
And although I've spent a some time in assembly plants, he lived in them and launched many a new vehicle. That'll help imprint the details in your memory!
I did catch the Z10 stripe thing, but didn't mention it. I will now.

Thanks!

[bkhpah]

I read the post. I agree with the body drain plugs being installed before paint. That is the way I have always seen the original cars done. I really had to prove my point at GM Carlisle and I think that some people still don't believe it was done like that. I think that most seam sealing was done before primer. If you scrape enough of the sealer off, you are always into virgin bare metal. Just an observation on my part. ..BKH

[COPOL89]

Kurt: I remember seeing in old assembly line photos from the plants that showed at the end of the line where there were camaro and firebirds every other one did they join together at some point or were they assembled together from the start? -Denny

[Kurt S]

I don't recall that picture.
They were mixed in right from the start.
One of the more interesting examples of that is the Ford Wixom plant. They were making Town Cars, LS's, and Continentals, all on the same line. 2 totally different rear wheel drive platforms and a front wheel drive car.
Makes mixing F-birds and Camaros look easy. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[COPOL89]

The reason i was asking was if the Camaro and Firebirds went down the lines together the paperwork for the pontiac has been found right? in theroy the camaro paperwork cant be that far from them if the fisher body plant had the records i would think.

[JoeC]

Another thing I wonder about is when the shifter was installed. In 67 and 68 it seems like it would be difficult to drop the body after shifter install. With that big curved lever sticking up you could not come down straight with the body. In 69-71 Chevy went to the round handle Hurst with the snap in handle design. This would allow shifer box to be in place before body drop then assembly person could snap in the lever from inside. 1972 and up had a no name snap in shifter. I think a ITM.

[KENNY_PASCOE]

IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT ABOUT OVERSPRAY ON THE FLOOR PLUGS PLEASE VIEW MY 70 Z-28 THAT I HAD ON EBAY RECENTLY. EBAY ITEM # 2434039830. THANKS.... KP

[Mr Yenko]

I have seen both of these cars and the overspray is very obvious on the floor plugs. So what is the overall opinion on this topic? Do we have any other examples to view,so we can put this topic to rest? "MOF" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Kurt S]

I asked John for clarification. His response was:

Shifter was in place with the linkage adjusted on the engine dress line (4-speeds) and on the chassis line for those with the crossmember-mounted shifter; the body drop at VN (or chassis "insertion" at Norwood) guys were pretty clever - that's why the hole in the floor was as big as it was. Would have been a nightmare to install the shifter and linkage and gage/adjust the linkage from below after body drop. Corvettes were body-dropped for years with their "T"-handle shifter in place and a MUCH smaller hole in the floor.

John


Dennis,
Camaros and F-birds only mixed at LA in 68 and 69 and Norwood in late 69.
Billing histories would have been kept by the divisions, not the plants.
All the plant paperwork is long gone.

[CamarosRus]

One of my three 1970 Camaros is a Survivor mostly original LA car. The LA Camaros used a Black primer on the underfloor. This Cranberry Red car has plenty of Red overspray on this Black underfloor....as well I can clearly see Red Overspray on the "Beige" colored sealer securing what appears to galvanized metal floor plugs......my .02.....Chuck S/ Seattle