1967 bb hood

[Bill M.]

[Owen L.]

Re: 1967 bb hood

I have read about the 67 bb hood on small block cars due to a mold failure. I have read this is not true that the cars are made up. I can’t remember where I read the story. I am debating it with some one. Where can I find the article. Was it Corvette Fever ? Thanks

Proving something didn't happen is just about impossible. The question needs to be turned around: Where is the evidence it did happen?

If we assume it is true, I can't imagine that GM would substitute such a major visual component without contacting dealers and waiting buyers. Where are these communications?

Are there instances where GM did a substitution and how were such substitutions handled as far as documentation?

[Bill M.]

Re: 1967 bb hood

Exactly my argument.

[Mark F.]

Re: 1967 bb hood

I have read about the 67 bb hood on small block cars due to a mold failure. I have read this is not true that the cars are made up. I can’t remember where I read the story. I am debating it with some one. Where can I find the article. Was it Corvette Fever ? Thanks

Bill,

This is an interesting read on the topic...

See John DeGregory's (RIP) comments in particular at post #6 as well as a few others...

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...od+small+block

and here's more also started by Jerry Bramlett...

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ith-327-a.html

[Owen L.]

Re: 1967 bb hood

How would St. Louis run out of small block hoods?

Big block hoods, I can kind of see given the lesser demand. But orders were coming in weeks and months prior to production so I have a hard time believing they were caught short-hooded. Plus, these were a parts counter item that had to have some inventory somewhere. Kinda like running out of steel wheels so GM substituted knock-offs; or under-car exhaust so substituted side pipes...

[Mark F.]

Re: 1967 bb hood

How would St. Louis run out of small block hoods?

Big block hoods, I can kind of see given the lesser demand. But orders were coming in weeks and months prior to production so I have a hard time believing they were caught short-hooded. Plus, these were a parts counter item that had to have some inventory somewhere. Kinda like running out of steel wheels so GM substituted knock-offs; or under-car exhaust so substituted side pipes...

There was only one supplier - MFG in Ashtabula, OH.
They probably ran SB hoods in batches...same as what they did w/ BB hoods...and not every day.

The storage inventory (and space for storing them) for production appears to have been about three days...some have said 200 or so ?

So, limiting yourself to only one source for a given part can get you in a twist if something serious goes wrong.
If the mold truly was damaged and that damage occurred at the beginning of a next run for the next batch of 200 or so, that could explain things. MFG had to play catch up and I'll bet they did overruns (longer shifts and/or added workweek days) of their normal production schedules...

Now, if it had been the coupe driver's side door mold that got damaged, that would be an entirely (and more serious) dilemma. You can't swap out a passenger side door for the driver's side. That would have shut the line down for three days !

The fact is the plant did have an option - swap BBs for SB hoods. The fit is the same, but my question is how did they deal with the hood prop ? Did they have to hand drill the hood to get the prop (or fender bracket?) on the right side for the SB mounting location ? And were they able to do that and keep the line running at proper production speed ?

I'll betcha a few butts on both sides got kicked good and hard...