understanding AIM

[Bill H.]

Is the AIM set up in the same way the car went down the assembly line?

I am assembling the interior of a 66 bb from scratch. (nothing in the car)
do I run the wiring harness before the sound insulation or after. Does brake/clutch assembly go in b4 isulation.
how should I go about wiring harness and dash/ guages assembly?
I put in the heater box and figured out you cant get at the vents then, so I hope there is a method to the madness that i could follow.
I am trying to follow the AIM but as a rookie I get easily distracted.

[Tom H.]

Re: understanding AIM

Good question. I have never mastered the AIM either. Takes me forever to find anything in it.

[Pat M.]

Re: understanding AIM

I put in the heater box and figured out you cant get at the vents then, so I hope there is a method to the madness that i could follow.

Good question. I have never mastered the AIM either. Takes me forever to find anything in it.

I've never mastered it either. If you ask me, I think there's madness to the method!

[John H.]

Re: understanding AIM

Is the AIM set up in the same way the car went down the assembly line?

Bill -

No, it's not. The AIM sequence matches the sequence of the Engineering Releasing system; it was furnished by Engineering Graphics as an aid to the assembly plant, but it's not a process document. The actual assembly process sequence was developed and documented internally by the (Manufacturing) Production Engineering Group and the plant Industrial Engineering Department, and none of those documents have ever been found or published - they went in the dumpster when the lights went out in 1981.

[John H.]

Re: understanding AIM

Good question. I have never mastered the AIM either. Takes me forever to find anything in it.

Tom -

Here's the "magic decoder ring" for the AIM; there's a Contents Sheet at the beginning of each UPC Group that shows what's on each sheet in that section so you can find what you're looking for. The UPC section covers every single part required to build a "base car" with no options - only standard equipment.

UPC 0 - General Information
UPC 1 - Body Construction and Trim
UPC 2 - Frame
UPC 3 - Front Suspension
UPC 4 - Driveshaft and Rear Suspension
UPC 5 - Brakes
UPC 6 - Engine
UPC 7 - Transmission & Clutch
UPC 8 - Fuel & Exhaust
UPC 9 - Steering
UPC 10 - Wheels & Tires
UPC 11/13 - Grille, Front End, and Cooling
UPC 12 - Electrical
UPC 14 - Bumpers & Miscellaneous

The second section covers all the options, organized in alphabetical order by RPO number (A31 first, Z06 last, etc.), and each option section also has a Contents sheet so you can find the sheet that has what you're looking for.

Every part that was installed at St. Louis is called out with a part number; you won't find part numbers for things like wheel bearings, as they were detail parts of assemblies as received at St. Louis.

It's second nature when you've worked with it since 1964 like I have, but if you haven't, just follow the directions above.

[Paul J.]

Re: understanding AIM

Bill;

Don't make this too complicated. Only a few parts have a set assembly sequence. John and others can tell you that manufacturing assembly considerations (for everything including toasters) try to maximize efficiencies and minimize costs. It does'nt mean that some guy in his garage can't follow a different sequence and end up with same result.

Since you said that you were a rookie, ideally you should find another 66 to compare to, but if not, a few carefully asked questions to this board can probably get you through the process.

I find automotive assembly a lot like building a house. There's a logical sequence that must occur in some areas, like the footings must go in before the foundation. But the mechanicals like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC have no set order other than to follow the rough frame in.

Paul

[Tom H.]

Re: understanding AIM

Tom -

Here's the "magic decoder ring" for the AIM; there's a Contents Sheet at the beginning of each UPC Group that shows what's on each sheet in that section so you can find what you're looking for. The UPC section covers every single part required to build a "base car" with no options - only standard equipment.

UPC 0 - General Information
UPC 1 - Body Construction and Trim
UPC 2 - Frame
UPC 3 - Front Suspension
UPC 4 - Driveshaft and Rear Suspension
UPC 5 - Brakes
UPC 6 - Engine
UPC 7 - Transmission & Clutch
UPC 8 - Fuel & Exhaust
UPC 9 - Steering
UPC 10 - Wheels & Tires
UPC 11/13 - Grille, Front End, and Cooling
UPC 12 - Electrical
UPC 14 - Bumpers & Miscellaneous

The second section covers all the options, organized in alphabetical order by RPO number (A31 first, Z06 last, etc.), and each option section also has a Contents sheet so you can find the sheet that has what you're looking for.

Every part that was installed at St. Louis is called out with a part number; you won't find part numbers for things like wheel bearings, as they were detail parts of assemblies as received at St. Louis.

It's second nature when you've worked with it since 1964 like I have, but if you haven't, just follow the directions above.

Thanks !!! That does make sense. What does UPC stand for ?? Now maybe you can help me get better at reading my parts books !!!

I need a Corvette tutor !!

[Rich P.]

Re: understanding AIM

If you notice Service manuals and Chassie Overhaul Manuals follow the same UPC order but just in Chapters.

Rich

[Alan D.]

Re: understanding AIM

Bill - "go about wiring harness and dash/ guages assembly?"
Assemble the entire dash, add wire harness, and then install. Was amazed how simple it was. In the past had left wiring harness in place and removed panel. A few simple tricks to make life better however ask when you get to that point. Would be nice to see one all together. PS add fuse for lighter!

[Terry M.]

Re: understanding AIM

Thanks !!! That does make sense. What does UPC stand for ?? Now maybe you can help me get better at reading my parts books !!!

I need a Corvette tutor !!

UPC = Universal Product Code -- I think. I wish John Hinckley had answered this one, but maybe he will confirm or correct me.

[Tom H.]

Re: understanding AIM

UPC = Universal Product Code -- I think. I wish John Hinckley had answered this one, but maybe he will confirm or correct me.

Actually, now that I know how to read my manual, I have discovered UPC is UNIFORM PARTS CLASSIFICATION. Thanks to John for the lesson.