Factory chalk/paint marks

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by geunther

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.

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

[geunther]

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

[john@thepier]

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

[john@thepier]

Second is under drivers door on frame

[john@thepier]

Lastly the firewall

[davepl]

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?

[kehstr]

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.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by kehstr

but there is a stamped mark on the driver side of the firewall, should be 3 numbers.

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

K

[RestoreAmerica]

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

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by RestoreAmerica

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

Yes.

K

[RestoreAmerica]

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

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by RestoreAmerica

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

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

[RestoreAmerica]

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][/IMG]
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[IMG][/IMG]

[RestoreAmerica]

I want to put them back on in the next few days.
[IMG][/IMG]

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by RestoreAmerica

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?

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

[RestoreAmerica]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

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

What do you thing the writing next to the master cylinder says? 135 G? Any idea the meaning?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by RestoreAmerica

What do you thing the writing next to the master cylinder says? 135 G? Any idea the meaning?

My guess would be:

135 = build sequence number. You might find this in other areas, too (on the front end sheetmetal, radiator support, rear axle, front suspension crossmember, inside one of the wheels, front of the pickup box, etc).

G = green

I trust you read through all of the links provided earlier in this thread (post #3)?

K

[tommys72]

The 5-23-69 is pretty neat. I havent seen that before

[70LonghornCST]

Here is a link to this same topic: LINKY

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 70LonghornCST

Here is a link to this same topic: LINKY

Thank you; good link.

I've added that one to my collection.

Originally Posted by 70LonghornCST

A while back, maybe a year and a half ago, I talked with Paul Duncan (DuncanandSon), who is extremely knowledgeable about our trucks, and gathered this bit of information. In our discussion, we noted trends and patterns with the firewall grease markings and can conclude that while there may have been guidelines, there was not always consistency when the production workers marked the firewalls.

I can say with authority that the markings were not an engineering requirement (you will not find them defined in the assembly documentation); I would characterize them as informal plant internal processes to "help a brutha out". That is why you will see some plant to plant variation and variation between individual operators.

K

[Ironangel]

72 two tone

[bruceman1968]

John@thepier,
RestoreAmerica,
Ironangel,
could you tell us what assembly plant your trucks were built at? Thanks.

[IronCanine]

Haven't seen much in the way of engine marks on here. But I was pressure washing an engine I've procured as date code correct replacement for my truck. It's Flint built engine (cast 5/20/70, stamped 5/29/70). Engine suffix TBC. TBC was written in large yellow letters (inverted) on both sides of the block. I also think that this spot on the pass side head may have been the yellow TBC decal.

[IronCanine]

Besides yellow, there were white and green marks as well.

[IronCanine]

Couple of pics from a very nice survivor '71 K5 built at Flint. Posting because I've seen a couple of nice original Flint Blazers lately with red firewall markings. This truck has the 3 digit build sequence 709 on the firewall, and just the 9 on the frame crossmember in yellow. Looks like a 6, but frame numbers are inverted as the frame enters the line upside down (per Keith) and several examples of this have been posted.

It also is interesting to me that Flint appears to be an early adopter of the black sealer on the firewall that I generally think of as a square body thing.

I wish we could consolidate all these factory marking threads. We've got about six I think... and they've all got a little something good.