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Old 11-29-2021, 09:55 AM
TAKerry TAKerry is offline
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Default What Do Firewall Marks Mean ?

I think there are a few guys on here that have worked in the auto assembly business. Just what exactly do the firewall marks on cars mean?

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Old 11-29-2021, 12:00 PM
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Typically it's the build sequence number (either Trim Line or Final Line/General Assembly). The GA sequence number is "king" in the assembly plant and is the handle used to refer to a specific vehicle while it is being built.

The notations can also be a heads up to downstream assemblers regarding option content, such as model type, engine, trans, brake system or primary paint color.

The amount of written content can vary based on assembly plant, model year and individual operator.

It can also be straight up graffiti.

K

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Last edited by Keith Seymore; 11-29-2021 at 12:12 PM.
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Old 11-29-2021, 12:10 PM
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These are truck related but will give you an idea of the prevelance of both assembly line markings and actual "graffiti".


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

K

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Old 11-29-2021, 03:21 PM
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1st gen F body camaro firewall marks are way overblown and over used. Inspection stamps are sold and people go to town.
Every car is different as these with hand written, or stamped. Same as vin numbers stamping on firewall.
Most stamps are "QC" related, rest are notes as Keith said. .
A lot of cars had the 2 digit motor code written on the valve covers !! No need to look at front of engine.
Hanging pneumatic stamps with an edge could go anywhere around a blower motor hole on firewall
So I have seen "QC" and informational marks.
Many many marks are put on the sub-assemblies.
Example would be a big "E" on bottom of a 1970 posi rear.
The "E" would easily be seen facing the workers as it sat on the rack.

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Old 11-29-2021, 09:04 PM
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Good question!!! I've seen a ton of "PTB" marks on early Camaros. Never knew what they meant. Anybody?

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Old 11-29-2021, 09:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4dblnkldude View Post
Good question!!! I've seen a ton of "PTB" marks on early Camaros. Never knew what they meant. Anybody?
They indicate that the Paint, Body and Trim have been inspected.

http://www.camaros.org/askcrg-archives.shtml

(FAQ #18)

K

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Old 11-29-2021, 10:23 PM
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Learning I am.

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Old 11-29-2021, 11:02 PM
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Those stamps are actually different colored letters too.
Very few cars got all 3 stamps and in the same area, but one low mile California car had all 3 above the blower box, and the world copied. Ac or not.

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Old 11-29-2021, 11:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Formulabruce View Post
Those stamps are actually different colored letters too.
Very few cars got all 3 stamps and in the same area, but one low mile California car had all 3 above the blower box, and the world copied. Ac or not.
For real? I was just at a car event kinda... they chucked pumpkins too. A really beat up 68 SS 396 4 speed Camaro caught my eye. I turned out to be a guys I had known for at least 15 years, I bought a couple cars from him in years past. Anyway this Camaro was was raced hard, dented, and pretty rusty. It had no carpet in it, there was holes in the floor. It was black with whites stripes and my favorite car there. And there it was the first PBT I ever saw on an unrestored car or so I thought. His dad bought it in 70 and gave it to him in the mid 80's apparently. I gotta find a pic.

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Old 11-30-2021, 07:08 AM
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...but as mentioned the line used them to advise of completed inspections and/or special equipment to be or installed.
These are highly overused in the resto sector.
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Old 11-30-2021, 01:46 PM
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My GTO is Pontiac built and the only markings are a giant "A" in the center of the firewall (Starlight black) and what looks like an "OK" under the voltage regulator.

It also has the "Line Test ok" stamp on the side of the plenum, down low and to the left (covered by the fender).

K






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Old 11-30-2021, 05:18 PM
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I am all for originality, but I agree in that they get overused in restorations. The thing that grinds my gears when looking at them is that the guys that put them on now try to copy what is there or what they thought was there. They do so in a slow methodical manor and one usually sees that the hand is shaking a bit. So the mark looks kinda shaky and something akin to a forged signature. I am sure on the line they were written in one fell swoop with the emphasis on neatness their last concern.

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Old 11-30-2021, 05:59 PM
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Keith, my Starlight Black GTO has the same large "A" on the firewall and a "5N" next to the data-plate, it's under the very thin factory paint mist that swept over the cowl. In the right light and angle you might see that on your car as well. I'll try and get a picture up tomorrow.

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Old 11-30-2021, 06:16 PM
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I remember my '66 Vert way back when I stuck it outside in winter with no front clip. After a while, I began to notice a "P67" peeking out from under the firewall paint. I'm wondering if that was written when the body was little more than a firewall.

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Old 11-30-2021, 09:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TAKerry View Post
I am all for originality, but I agree in that they get overused in restorations. The thing that grinds my gears when looking at them is that the guys that put them on now try to copy what is there or what they thought was there. They do so in a slow methodical manor and one usually sees that the hand is shaking a bit. So the mark looks kinda shaky and something akin to a forged signature. I am sure on the line they were written in one fell swoop with the emphasis on neatness their last concern.
While there was haste, the "P" "B" "T" were all put on by Different people as well.
But, in today's world, the cars are Not rebuilt production line cars, they are "Hand built"... .. Likely no union, no liquid lunches, and no moving assembly line pushing out a car every 40-45 seconds. And today it means "that's the way it......Wasn't ......"

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Old 11-30-2021, 11:04 PM
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The UAW was in existence in 1966. Just so it's known, it was founded in 1935. And assembly lines yes also.

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Old 12-01-2021, 01:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GT182 View Post
The UAW was in existence in 1966. Just so it's known, it was founded in 1935. And assembly lines yes also.
"But in Todays world">>>>> My Union comment was for the modern "restoration shop". Its not likely as
a issue with quality, speed, etc. No assy line in most resto shops.. ....

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Old 12-01-2021, 03:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TAKerry View Post
I am all for originality, but I agree in that they get overused in restorations. The thing that grinds my gears when looking at them is that the guys that put them on now try to copy what is there or what they thought was there. They do so in a slow methodical manor and one usually sees that the hand is shaking a bit. So the mark looks kinda shaky and something akin to a forged signature. I am sure on the line they were written in one fell swoop with the emphasis on neatness their last concern.
One of 'em wrote "VINL" on mine (vinyl roof car, naturally). I'm thinking it was
shortened, not misspelled? But yeah, some attempts at recreating a scrawled
notation are just awful.

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Old 12-01-2021, 02:06 PM
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I have a 73 SD455 automatic and 74 SD455 4-spd. One of those cars had LS2 written in chalk on the bottom of the subframe. I noticed it when changing the oil.

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