Working on the '70

[Dan L.]

Billy and I are freshening up his '70. Its a mid to late June build. It was in need of a fuel tank so thats where we started. I took some pics, lets see if they show up. Wittek clamps.

336/Gear ratio on bulk head
Build date above tank
B.S. remains


Mfg date 2/70

[Joe L.]

Re: Working on the '70

Billy and I are freshening up his '70. Its a mid to late June build. It was in need of a fuel tank so thats where we started. I took some pics, lets see if they show up. Wittek clamps.

336/Gear ratio on bulk head
Build date above tank
B.S. remains


Mfg date 2/70

Dan-----


I don't think the "2-70" stamping on the fuel tank sender mount ring represents a date. My original-owner September, 1969-built car had exactly the same "2-70" stamping and I know that tank was not manufactured in February, 1970.

Also, I don't think the crayon inscription on the underbody represents the rear ratio. For one thing, it looks like "333" to me and not "336". For another, there's no relationship during build of the chassis and body. So, there would really be no assembly reason for inscribing the rear ratio on the underbody. These underbody crayon or chalk inscriptions always had an assembly-based reason. I expect the number is the build number used during assembly.

[Alan S.]

Re: Working on the '70

Hi Billy,
Yes, those appear to be the tower clamps I've found on my 71, 350/270, too.
I was able to remove 2 of them without too much problem or damage. But on the other 2, I was unable to release the strap part of the clamp from the hose. These 2 ended up getting quite twisted. Of course I didn't realize I wasn't going to be able to find a GOOD replacement. Dr. R showed them in his catalogue years ago, but, by the time I needed them, his supply was gone.
I ended up using the next size up, that are still available, by modifying them. I use the 2 original clamps where they can be seen, and 'hide' the other 2.
I posted pictures of my original clamps in your first thread. I don't know if you've been back to take a look?
I'll let you know if I find any!
Regards,
Alan

[Chuck S.]

Re: Working on the '70

The date on the underside of the deck is actually the panel manufacture date, and not the build date of the car. To my knowledge, the car build date is not written anywhere on the vehicle, and is stamped only on the trim plate and the blue door inspection label.

The typical format for panel manufacture date is month-day-shift, making your deck panel made on June 2, 1970, first shift. My July 30 coupe has rear panels dated with the same handwriting...makes me wonder if that person remains alive, and perhaps enjoyed a long happy life with children and grandchildren.

[Dan L.]

Re: Working on the '70

Always welcome comments. I learn something new every day. There is some glare in the pic but 336 is on the bulk head, just figured it had to do with the rear gear since that is what is in the car. Thanks.

'70 conv. 350/350 W/AC

[William L.]

Re: Working on the '70

Hi Billy,
Yes, those appear to be the tower clamps I've found on my 71, 350/270, too.
I was able to remove 2 of them without too much problem or damage. But on the other 2, I was unable to release the strap part of the clamp from the hose. These 2 ended up getting quite twisted. Of course I didn't realize I wasn't going to be able to find a GOOD replacement. Dr. R showed them in his catalogue years ago, but, by the time I needed them, his supply was gone.
I ended up using the next size up, that are still available, by modifying them. I use the 2 original clamps where they can be seen, and 'hide' the other 2.
I posted pictures of my original clamps in your first thread. I don't know if you've been back to take a look?
I'll let you know if I find any!
Regards,
Alan

Thanks again Alan...Mine aren't in too bad of shape, will continue hunting it though..

Hope all is well,
Billy

[Chuck S.]

Re: Working on the '70

Always welcome comments. I learn something new every day. There is some glare in the pic but 336 is on the bulk head, just figured it had to do with the rear gear since that is what is in the car. Thanks.

'70 conv. 350/350 W/AC

The date was a natural mistake to make, and one I made many years ago. My purpose wasn't to fault-find, but to complete your knowledge. I continue to learn something new every day, and don't expect it to end as long as I'm drawing breath.

Years ago, I had opportunity to observe several dates on the backs of panels in the rear body area. Since the dates were all different, and there can be only one "build date, they had to represent when the panels were made.

[Dan L.]

Re: Working on the '70

The date was a natural mistake to make, and one I made many years ago. My purpose wasn't to fault-find, but to complete your knowledge. I continue to learn something new every day, and don't expect it to end as long as I'm drawing breath.

Years ago, I had opportunity to observe several dates on the backs of panels in the rear body area. Since the dates were all different, and there can be only one "build date, they had to represent when the panels were made.

No offense taken here, I just need to clarify my posts. We new it was a some sort of panel/ body date, I just took a short cut in labeling my pics. The 336 on the bulk head though................

[Joe L.]

Re: Working on the '70

No offense taken here, I just need to clarify my posts. We new it was a some sort of panel/ body date, I just took a short cut in labeling my pics. The 336 on the bulk head though................

Dan-----


If it is "336" on the panel, I would say it's strictly a coincidence that the car also has a 3.36:1 rear gear ratio. There's one chance in 500 that will happen for any given car since the factory-internal build numbers were usually 1 to 500 and then started over again.

[Dan L.]

Re: Working on the '70

You have to fogive my metal car mentality. I'm use to markings on floor boards, fire walls,trunk pans, etc, which are what they are. I don't know the Corvette build process that well but thats why I'm here, I'll learn.Thanks..... 1 in 500.... and we hit it......

[Chuck S.]

Re: Working on the '70

You have to fogive my metal car mentality. I'm use to markings on floor boards, fire walls,trunk pans, etc, which are what they are. I don't know the Corvette build process that well but thats why I'm here, I'll learn.Thanks..... 1 in 500.... and we hit it......

Corvettes will have some of those same marks since the experience for building Corvettes came from metal-bodied car plants. Joe is saying that the number marked on the rear of the compartment bulkhead is typically the job number for a Corvette of this vintage.

Remove the firewall splash shield on the passenger side...you should see the "job number" there as well. Good hunting.

[Terry M.]

Re: Working on the '70

The date on the underside of the deck is actually the panel manufacture date, and not the build date of the car. To my knowledge, the car build date is not written anywhere on the vehicle, and is stamped only on the trim plate and the blue door inspection label.

The typical format for panel manufacture date is month-day-shift, making your deck panel made on June 2, 1970, first shift. My July 30 coupe has rear panels dated with the same handwriting...makes me wonder if that person remains alive, and perhaps enjoyed a long happy life with children and grandchildren.

The panel manufacturers are still doing the same thing, or someone in the plant is doing it. The front inner fender panels of my '08 have dates written on them, and every once in a while someone over on the CF will "discover" these and post about the "build date" of their car. Then pretty shortly someone will jump in and straighten things out.

[Dan L.]

Re: Working on the '70

The date on the underside of the deck is actually the panel manufacture date, and not the build date of the car. To my knowledge, the car build date is not written anywhere on the vehicle, and is stamped only on the trim plate and the blue door inspection label.

The typical format for panel manufacture date is month-day-shift, making your deck panel made on June 2, 1970, first shift. My July 30 coupe has rear panels dated with the same handwriting...makes me wonder if that person remains alive, and perhaps enjoyed a long happy life with children and grandchildren.

We just looked in the Corvette birthday book and the 6-27 on the panel matches the birth date of the car. #13532. I understand your mo-dy-sft concept, but its not written 6-2-7, its 6-27 and it matches the birth date. Also, 6/27/70 was a Sat., did they work weekends? I know that may be a dumb question but.....

[Terry M.]

Re: Working on the '70

Easy question first:
Yes, the St. Louis assembly plant SOMETIMES worked on Saturdays.

Do a little search on this site about the "Corvette Birthday Book" to learn its strengths and weaknesses.

For 1970 model year the trim tag date is a better indicator of the car's assembly time than the birthday book.

[Dan L.]

Re: Working on the '70

I stand corrected. After looking at that panel marking again it is 6-2-1.
Thanks for your input. I use the search feature on this site quite a bit but didn't see the need to research the birthday book till now. Thanks....