Look what I found

[Gerard F.]

Just cleaning up this mess on my 67 before I put in a new maintenance free battery:



I guess those lead acid batteries take their toll on the finishes.

In pulling the lower splash shields I figured I'd clean a few other things up while I'm at it. Here's what I found on the firewall on the passenger side, written vertically in yellow crayon:




Then to get to the outside of the frame, I pulled the passenger side rocker molding, probably pulled for the first time. Here's what I found:



Picture is upside-down.

Do you think I have the right frame for my AOSmith 67, 22049?

Just having fun,

[Dick C.]

Re: Look what I found

Jerry,
Nice when you find those markings. If you remove the doors panels for any reason you may find the same"026" on the inside of the doors. Also you may find it on the underside of the body behind the fuel tank. With the tire tub removed and a light you may see it there. Have you tried to find the frame stamp while the rocker panel is off (driver side) ?
I used to wash down my battery tray with baking soda and water once or twice a year.
Dick

[Wayne M.]

Re: Look what I found

Jerry -- here's what the battery tray [driver side] looked like on my 396, back in 1988 when I bought it. Surprisingly, the chassis and outer dust shield were OK, probably due to oil leaks running down the frame from the steering box .

[Kirk M.]

Re: Look what I found

Jerry,

Great Finds. Love finding those original validations on your car.

[Joe C.]

Re: Look what I found

Just cleaning up this mess on my 67 before I put in a new maintenance free battery:



I guess those lead acid batteries take their toll on the finishes.

In pulling the lower splash shields I figured I'd clean a few other things up while I'm at it. Here's what I found on the firewall on the passenger side, written vertically in yellow crayon:




Then to get to the outside of the frame, I pulled the passenger side rocker molding, probably pulled for the first time. Here's what I found:



Picture is upside-down.

Do you think I have the right frame for my AOSmith 67, 22049?

Just having fun,

That's a great feeling to find those original markings.
While you've got the pass side rocker moulding removed, try looking for the frame "pull date", just "aft" of the battery box, on the pass. frame rail.

Joe

[Gerard F.]

Here's mine, Wayne

Took it off about 4 years ago from my 67 S/B:



Almost looks like yours Even has some of the semi-gloss paint still there.

The new one is not in that bad a shape, but I'm going to pull it and repaint it on my current project, while I'm in there.

Do you think there are any original C2 battery trays left on driven cars?

[Gerard F.]

Re: Look what I found

Joe,

I looked in the location you indicated and found one hand painted (white)upside down "6" directly under the aft side louver. I think the battery acid took care of the rest.

If you look closely at the stencil, there appears to be something under shim marks and to the right in the picture. All I can read is 303196 -G.C. Will do a little closer check next weekend.

Ran ought of time today as usual. I tend to expand my little projects as I go. Started out with a simple battery replacement, but I guess while you are in there, you might as well do this and that. So next weekend, it is painting the splash shields, battery tray and shield, black phosphating the bolts. If I paint the frame I think I'll just mast off any numbers I find, and then hit it with a little clear.

Takes me a little longer, but I'm having fun.

[Tom D.]

Re: Look what I found

Sir: What were the markings, if any, on the heads of the attaching bolts (for the splash shields).

If it's mentioned above, simply point me in that direction.

Thanks!
td

[Alan D.]

Re: Look what I found

Yes Gerard my battery tray is the original, however a confession must be made; Back in 68 those shields, battery, wires, and exhaust manifolds were a pain in the . . . . when one went to change plugs - so off they came. The battery was relocated into the tub behind the passenger seat where they remained until 3 years ago.
All saved and in great shape including the battery tray but I cheat!

[Patrick T.]

Re: Look what I found...

Here is the number I found on the passenger firewall.




There is also an abreviated number up on the cowl between the wipers. Of course you will never see this number unless you put on a new front clip like I did.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Look what I found

Like a bunch of kids on Christmas morning, isn't it.

My tray went away on my 63 many years ago, and I'm looking at icky white stuff again under my restoration battery. I've washed it down with baking soda, but it just messes up the frame rail. I really need to get me one of those distilled water fill bottles - soon!

Stu Fox

[Joe C.]

Re: Look what I found

Sir: What were the markings, if any, on the heads of the attaching bolts (for the splash shields).

If it's mentioned above, simply point me in that direction.

Thanks!
td

What they sell in the Corvette candy stores are: headmark "E" , grade 5, with the radial lines forming a "T", not a "Y".

[Rick S.]

Re: Look what I found

"If you remove the doors panels for any reason you may find the same"026" on the inside of the doors."
Dick,
On my car I have "60" on the passenger footwell and "61" inside both doors.



I asked John Hinckley about this discrepancy and if I remember correctly he said mistakes were made.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Look what I found

Tom,

The vertical ones are different from the horizontal ones. Here's a picture:



The smaller bolts are for the larger vertical shield below the firewall, they are vertical and are marked RBW. The four center to right are for the smaller shield below the battery and are larger. The pointed vertical ones are marked RBW. The ones with no point and heavy washer are horizontal and are marked with an Anchor symbol. Here is a closeup of one of the smaller ones, after I black phosphated it:



The bolt to the far right is my original 67 battery holddown bolt, cleaned up a bit. It has an integral washer head with ER markings (unlike the repro I have with a captive washer and E markings), Here's a closeup:



These bolts are from a late June 67 smallblock, no A/C with the battery on the passenger side.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Look what I found

Should have said "larger horizontal shield"