Factory chalk/paint marks
 

My truck had no underhood markings of any kind that I could find during teardown. Not even under the AC/Heater box.

Is there a "bare minimum" that all trucks would have, like the PTB stamps on a '69 Camaro?

Does it vary by plant? Has anyone documented any differences?

There's a real tendency in this hobby for people to just copy other people's markings. People also add new ones they've not seen before so that a lot of vehicles have -every- inspection mark you can imagine. So I don't want to get carried away, but I don't want to miss something as basic as the Camaro PTB stamps and have it be conspicuous by its absence!

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Several related threads on this topic. Here's an example: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=591402

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Here's my collection of firewall marking threads from this forum:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=sequence

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=graffiti

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=graffiti

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=graffiti

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=graffiti

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=545345

I would ask you to read through those, as it will save me a ton of typing.

The only other thing I would add here is that the markings were not paint or chalk. We used a tire crayon. There weren't any specified colors, just whatever was provided - if you found a particularly nice one laying on the floor you would use that. Locations were defined more by internal plant processes (less by "helping a buddy out") and therefore varied by plant, and somewhat by shift and individual operator.

My own unrestored '65 GTO (built in September of 1964 in Pontiac Michigan) is pretty much devoid of any markings. There is a large "A" on the center of the firewall ("A" = "Starlight Black") and an "ok" partially obscured by the voltage regular. Nothing beyond that.


K

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

This was a firewall marking on our old '68 step side.

POP

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

the bare minimum I've seen is model number over the a/c or heater box. But most I've seen have had a bit more. Good threads above.

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

TTT.

Not sure if the OP saw all the responses.

K

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

my 68 stepside

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Thanks, I hadn't!

I think I'm going to go with the model (CE....) over the heater and the 3-digit over the driver's side. That's enough to have some and not be over the the top.

I guess worst case it wipes off, unless it's a paint marker!

My model number is CE26034
My color code is 592 (but that's the 2-tone code)

If the body is two-tone, does anyone know if they wrote the body code (508 DK BLK) or the triple-color-code (521 WHT & DK BLK & WHT)? I assume the latter but do not know.

Does anyone know if Fremont (ZZ) was normally white or yellow in 1970? One of each for contrast?

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

I thought just the code and maybe an abbreviation of the color noun name; I would recommend you pour over the linked threads and really get a feel for it before you do anything.

Fremont (just one Z). White, yellow, red or black were all fair game. I do not remember the guys having a selection of colors in order to provide better contrast: my recollection is they would have one crayon and use it on everything. They are going to do the absolute minimum to fulfill their obligation and switching up colors is probably beyond that scope.

K

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

On my 68, it has "2T" on the drivers side firewall for two-tone as opposed to the paint code.

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

T for Trim
2T = Z62
4T = Z84
Leddzepp, does your truck have a model number on it? Is it from Fremont?
Dave the color could be any, red, black, white, yellow.
Fremont trucks sometimes had a number stamped into the crown of the firewall and the same number written on the tranny tunnel. Pic below. They also were generally less marked up compared to a truck from St. louis or Flint.
(Your second Z is for 1970)
Attachment 1486861

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Im not sure Bruceman, I will try and get a pic later tonight when I get home. I think the model number is on the passenger firewall iirc. This truck was built in St Louis, although it has been in Cali. since it was bought.

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Firewall pics. There are markings on the core support, drivers side, but I added a dealer/factory recovery bottle that covers it now. The rear x-member also has the model number written upside down as you pointed out above.

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Pic

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Pocccc

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Thanks for posting those leddzepp. I see your truck has the 6 in the center. Several St. Louis trucks have that 6. Sometimes it's by its self and sometimes it has the A/C mark in front. I have no idea what it means. Truck in post 8 has the 6 also. Probably a St. louis truck too.

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

That's the PVI number ("Primary Vehicle Identifier") which, for Fremont, morphs into the General Assembly sequence number. Flint and Oshawa trucks can also have a stamp in this area.

The PVI is assigned as soon as the dealer order number is delegated to a particular vehicle assembly plant. The PVI is the primary identifier, typically through the body shop, until the VIN and GA sequence number are assigned. At that point the GA sequence number is the "gold source". Nobody cares about the VIN in the vehicle assembly plant (other than getting it on the right vehicle).

For most plants the build order can be shuffled after body shop (before paint) and again after paint (before trim), in order to level work load due to option content or protect against part shortages. In those cases the GA sequence number will be something different than the PVI.

Fremont built straight through (no shuffling) so that's why the PVI will match the GA sequence number.

I'm not sure what that could be, either. Perhaps another indication of trim level. Have to keep our eyes peeled on that one.

K

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

In case it has not been mentioned: this is because the frame starts out up side down, to allow gravity to hold the front and rear suspension in place until they are fastened and torqued down.

The frame is then flipped over and continues the rest of its journey right side up.

K

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Ledzepp, what's the 27 represent in this case?

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

My 69 with 9,600 miles on it has the wax#'s on the firewall, on the frame under cab, drivers side, and rear most cross member of the frame, facing the rear. John

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

That's "2T", which is the trim level.

K

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Can you post a pic or two?

Ideally you would see that number on any component that is loaded or built up/trimmed out remotely and then conveyed to the main line in sequence: hood, fenders, rad supt, engine, trans, seat, front and rear axles, tire/wheel assemblies, etc.

K

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Sure will, I shall be up to see my pride and joy in the very near future. John

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

When I bought my last truck I asked that the dealer not do any prep whatsoever. Obviously they had to check fluids etc, but they left it otherwise untouched. Of course everyone razzes me because of all the plastic still over everything and stickers everywhere.

My 72 has what I believe to be the PVI? written next to the brake booster and not in the tranny tunnel. I suppose this is just some variance.

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Is the truck black?

This looks like "BLK" in the upper right of the picture.

The number (182 perhaps) looks like it could be the PVI or the GA sequence number (depending on plant).

K

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Yes, black. Some of the 'BLK" grease pencil is hard to see but its all there

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

For Kieth S, I stopped out at my truck and snapped pictures of the pencil marks on the 69 first is by the spare tire

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Second is under drivers door on frame

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Lastly the firewall

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Does anyone know what the trim level (shown at 2T in some of the trucks in this thread) would be for a Sierra Grande Custom Camper (Longhorn) 2500?

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

It could have been washed off, they come off very easily, but there is a stamped mark on the driver side of the firewall, should be 3 numbers.

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

That's the PVI, as discussed in post #18 of this thread.

K

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

If someone were to restore their firewall, would they use a tire crayon to replace the coding?

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Yes.

K

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

It seems like the faster and sloppier you write the more authentic it would appear.

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

Also true.

You know how difficult it is to write vertically, like on a chalkboard? Imagine that the chalkboard is moving, and you are interested in writing on it as quickly as possible...

...480 times a day (or more).

K

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

These are all the markings I found on my new addition. This truck came from an original owner a few months ago. Everything appeared to be stock and unmolested. Notice nothing written over heater box. Would it be a definite that my 2 wheel drive, long bed, fleet side would have left the factory with writing above the heater box? CE10934?
[IMG]http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/...psfyfxihil.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/...pswk4w3s7r.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/...psfowbvzua.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

I want to put them back on in the next few days.
[IMG]http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1rzcu5ld.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Factory chalk/paint marks
 

No. Not definite.

It can vary by plant, by shift and even by operator.

The most authentic thing to do is to put the lettering back like it was (...meaning, only writing where it was originally, and not adding things because the other kids are doing it).

But - of course - it is your truck and you don't need anyone's permission to do what you want (that goes without saying but I'm being proactive by saying it).

K