The build date project

[Keith Seymore]

Having said that, I'll take a swing at these:

Originally Posted by 402Bowtie

Some questions for both of you:
1) The sequence number is in on the top left of the build sheet, above the date, correct?

Normally it's specifically labeled, but yes.

Originally Posted by 402Bowtie

2) At what point is the build sheet printed with the serial number? It seems like the serial number would have to be included fairly early in the process or otherwise perhaps printed on the build sheet after some assembly has been completed?

Early in the process, like before the build is started. All of the build sheets and manifests are printed and distributed a day or so before the build starts.

Just to be clear: to me "serial number" = "sequential portion of VIN"

Originally Posted by 402Bowtie

3) Pretend I have two build sheets. One is sequence number 17647 (w/ s/n 2Z120845) and the other is sequence number 17699 (w/ imaginary s/n 2Z120897) and they both show a 11/12/71 build date. I think you are saying that is 100% safe to assume that sequence numbers in between those two were built on 11/12/71.

Sequence number = Yes. By definition. Because even if you have re-ordered the VIN/Serial numbers the new build sequence numbers are still going to count up one by one

Originally Posted by 402Bowtie

However, at some point along the way, one of the sequence numbers could have been assigned a serial number outside the range of 2Z120845 and 2Z120897, or at least in a non-consecutive manner. Is that correct?

Yes. Although in this case it is the VIN/serial number that exists and is assigned a new sequence number (not the other way round).

Originally Posted by 402Bowtie

4) For 100 consecutive sequence numbers, how many of those trucks are likely to have consecutive serial numbers?

Depends on the plant (because of the accumulators and buffers, and lack thereof).

Fremont - 99%
Flint - 60-80%

Originally Posted by 402Bowtie

Maybe I'll start trying to include sequence numbers. Any other sources for the sequence number besides the build sheet? Firewall? SPID?

Firewall - yes. Any place where components were assembled off line and conveyed in sequence to the main line: Front end sheetmetal, radiator support, grille, axles, tire/wheels, seats, etc. But - it will typically be the last two or three digits of the sequence number, in a form of shorthand. Not the full six digits of the full sequence number.

SPID - no. The sequence number does not appear on the SPID

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 402Bowtie

3) Pretend I have two build sheets. One is sequence number 17647 (w/ s/n 2Z120845) and the other is sequence number 17699 (w/ imaginary s/n 2Z120897) and they both show a 11/12/71 build date. I think you are saying that is 100% safe to assume that sequence numbers in between those two were built on 11/12/71. However, at some point along the way, one of the sequence numbers could have been assigned a serial number outside the range of 2Z120845 and 2Z120897, or at least in a non-consecutive manner. Is that correct?

At the risk of overdoing let me try a different approach.

We are talking about the relationship, or lack thereof, between the build sequence number and the VIN/serial number.

Vehicle orders are sent from Central Office to the plant in a strange six character code (see below). The order number is the tracking mechanism until the PVI, or Primary Vehicle Indicator, is established. The PVI is pulled in a sequence and are used to identify the vehicle until the VIN is established. The serial portion of the VIN is also pulled in sequence.

These can be broadcast to cab shop at the start of build and maintain pretty much this order. However, here is where the fun starts:

The vehicle/VINs can get shuffled after cab shop before paint, and again after paint but before trim but the build sequence number still counts up one by one.

In other words - there is a unique cab shop sequence counting up one by one, and then a unique paint shop sequence counting up one by one, and then comes the final line (General Assembly) sequence number counting up one by one - the one everybody cares about.

I didn't want you to think that the GA build sequence number is jumping around. It is not (barring some catastrophe where a vehicle needs to be pulled completely from the system and reinserted later).

The best analogy I can think of is writing checks: you write the checks in sequential order - pretty much always - but they do not necessarily clear the bank in that order.

The PVI and corresponding VIN/Serial numbers are pulled sequentially - but they do not necessarily clear the end of the line in that order.

K

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Good stuff. Hey man, if you're starting to track sequence number I got one for you, it's 24419 Kidding, my build sheet only shows five digits, should be six, they missed the first digit. Serial # is 654xxx

From here, I don't think there's enough solid data to add value for tracking sequence number, especially since in at least one case, only 5 of 6 digits are shown. Hmm, might shed some light similar approx. build months per available data, not sure.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

This is correct -

A guy might have a "main job" like "Fender Set", or "Spare Tire Hang", or "Battery Install" but after they complete that part there are little wires to connect or route; other small things to fill out those extra few seconds.

K

Totally understand. I had a SunRoof job on the ALl Tima.

If you had 10 in a row We was 2 Zones down line.
I got to know some of my Fellow workers though.

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

40 years for me; across about a dozen different GM assembly plants (Flint, Pontiac, Ft Wayne, St Louis, Janesville, Oshawa, Fremont, Arlington, Silao, Wentzville, Mishawaka, Hamtramck come to mind)

There is no shortage of things in a vehicle assembly plant to capture your imagination, if you are a car guy.

K

I was Very involved in the ( Kizanes) / Changes of Models and Etc.

One of the biggest Improvements I suggested was ,

I had a Job installing Mirrors.

If the mirror was (No Good).

The back up Stock / Rack was Disorganized.

I helped them set up a Rack for this mess/

Because A truck going down the line without a Mirror ,
It Got covered up Quick. Door panel and Etc.

I helped designed a Back-Up rack for
Every paint Color. and
And Both Options.
Power mirror
Non Power mirror
Chrome mirror was also included.
Then 12 Paint colors.

There was 20+ mirrors that were Required.

So I asked for a Rack of 7 long and 5 slots high .

This way there was 3 rows that were used for the High Users at the time.

I gain a lot of Knowledge from there Crazy way of doing Business.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Good stuff. Hey man, if you're starting to track sequence number I got one for you, it's 24419 Kidding, my build sheet only shows five digits, should be six, they missed the first digit. Serial # is 654xxx

From here, I don't think there's enough solid data to add value for tracking sequence number, especially since in at least one case, only 5 of 6 digits are shown. Hmm, might shed some light similar approx. build months per available data, not sure.

I should add, seems the missing first digit is 6. If so that's 30K short of the serial number.

Interesting to note you have a duplicate under 1971 Freemont, which is my truck I tried to be sneaky and gave you a serial number within 100 . I don't know how you found my build sheet without part of the serial redacted. The unredacted sheet is on post 435. I must have shared it someplace. I'll try to get over my paranoia.

So you can delete the record that reads "1Z654520 = 05/19/71 *serial number is within 10". Or vise versa, whatever you like.

I had to re-write some of this, my understanding of was messed up:

For "real life" comparison, the records show another Freemont truck built on 5/19/71, post 352. Both build sheets show 24 as the Job Sequence Number, next to the build date, I don't know what that means in practical terms. Looks like it was common for them to drop a digit from the sequence. That or the logic is a mystery to me short what's described above. Note the lag in sequence numbers as compared to the serial numbers, a difference of 20.

The K truck is a SWB Chevy, seems that's irregular, I don't suppose many of those were built? My C10 was special ordered with leaf springs on a SWB 2WD, pretty rare frame and combo. Perhaps they were grouped together somehow, because both builds were uncommon.



Here are the differences between the two trucks. On a side, coincidentally, 5/19/1971 is the date on coolant decals for what's supposed to be for 1971 & 72 trucks. Thus, most 1971 trucks including these would have had the previous decal.

Great job adding page numbers, as demonstrated by this.

[402Bowtie]

2J158913 = 05/72 (post 481)
2F160354 = 03/24/72 - 03/31/72 (post 481) Blazer
1B650804 = 06/11/72 (post 481)
1J634982 = 05/71 (post 481)
8Z139537 = 03/01/68 - 03/18/68 (post 481)

[402Bowtie]

1J643533 = 06/71 (post 482)
01134504 = 03/70 (post 482)
2F111337 = 09/71 (post 482) suburban
8Z152044 = 04/27/68 (post 482)
9S866625 = 06/24/69 (day 175 ?) (post 482)

[yote1234]

heres my 1971 k5 blazer built 6/71 KE181S673516

[402Bowtie]

7S191468 = 07/01/67 - 07/03/67 (post 484)
7J132287 = 02/22/67 - 03/10/67 (post 484)
8J113773 = 10/23/67 - 10/31/67 (post 484)
2F348544 = 02/17/72 - 02/29/72 (post 484)
2F346414 = 02/01/72 - 02/18/72 (post 484)
8S174755 = 03/22/72 - 03/31/72 (post 484)

[402Bowtie]

2F1528XX = 03/72 (post 485)
2S503885 = 10/71 (post 485)
0Z126461 = 12/69 (post 485)
0J122359 = 11/69 (post 485)
7S194748 = 07/67 (post 485)

[402Bowtie]

Originally Posted by yote1234

heres my 1971 k5 blazer built 6/71 KE181S673516

yote, I am going to leave that one off the list since it doesn't add any new information...we could have inferred a June '71 build date for that serial number based on the existing list.


I'm now updated through post 486! The updated lists can be found at the links below:

GMC on post 63
67-71 Chevy on post 64
72 Chevy on post 65

Reminders:
-Don't delete any posts that are prior to the most updated point of the thread. For example, if the list is updated thru post 435, don't delete any posts 1 - 435. That would be bad.
-Only post a serial number if it adds value. For example, a door sticker with the month of 11/71 doesn't provide value if its serial number is in between two other November serial numbers already on the list.
-Check the list before posting to see if the serial number is already on the list--there have been a lot of duplicates posted.
-Please type out the partial vin, the date, and the post #, ideally in this format: 2A103580 = 09/71 (post 314). This saves me a lot of time when I can copy and paste.
_________________

7S148684 = 02/14/67 - 02/28/67 (post 486)
7B148429 = 06/67 (post 486)
1F811266 = 03/24/71 - 03/31/71 (post 486)
2J507165 = 02/14/72 - 02/29/72 (post 486)
7Z151494 = 04/28/67 (post 486)

[402Bowtie]

8J128287 = 01/09/68 - 01/31/68 (post 487)
0B161446 = 06/70 (post 487)
7S151229 = 02/21/67 - 02/28/67 (post 487)
2S199321 = post-06/07/72 (post 487)
9B811984 = 09/29/68 - 09/30/68 (post 487) I think the two equipment codes are 09/29 and 09/19. Month code of 9.

[CKfan]

Post 488
68 Fremont truck KE148Z 110596
Scheduled date: 10-05-67
Production date: 10/10/67 (which I rarely see on build sheet) PIC #4
Crazy documentation and "3" build sheets and protect o plate.
No, not mine. I taped out of the bidding war.....sadly. May regret it someday, but not today

[72BBChuck]

Post 489
GMC
Freemont
2Z510866 - 4/72

[72BBChuck]

Question - is the date on the protecto plate the date the truck was sold?

[mr.mud1]

Originally Posted by 72BBChuck

Question - is the date on the protecto plate the date the truck was sold?

good day sir,the date on the blue door decal is the manufacture date.that isn't as far as i know,the Protecta-Plate.my understanding has always been,the Protecta-Plate is the metal plate with all the numbers stamped in,on the back page of the warranty booklet.i don't have the PP for my truck but i do have it for my 67 Impala wagon,i can go look but i know the vin,engine number is and some other info is stamped in there but i'm not sure about the sale date but i'll go look.

[402Bowtie]

Originally Posted by 72BBChuck

Question - is the date on the protecto plate the date the truck was sold?

Yes, believe so.