Assembling Components Onto Engines Time Line

[stovebolt]

At what point were bolt-on engine components, such as power steering and A.I.R. pumps, attached to the engine, during engine assembly or just prior to the engine being dropped in the chassis? This information would be very useful when locating dated components. Thanks, Joe.

[JohnZ]

The engine as received from the engine plant was "bare-naked" except for the distributor (see photo below); everything else was installed at the car assembly plant. Check out the link below for the complete start-to-finish assembly process at Norwood and Van Nuys:

http://www.camaros.org/assemblyprocess.shtml

[stovebolt]

Thanks John for a very informative article. I'm surprised that production planning was quite tight for over 40 years ago. My engine, transmission and starter where assembled on March 14, 20 and 29 respectively and installed in my 04A coupe.

[pjbizjak]

I have an 04A build 68 Z/28 and my bolt ons are dated 1 wk of April. Starter 8D5, alternator 8D3, exzhaust manifolds D18 etc.

[stovebolt]

That's even more impressive; the bolt-on components being assembled the same week as the car assembly. Out of curiosity, are there owners out there whose component build dates don't follow this pattern, meaning the component assembly date falls before the engine assembly date?

[68camaroz28]

I have an 04A build 68 Z/28 and my bolt ons are dated 1 wk of April. Starter 8D5, alternator 8D3, exzhaust manifolds D18 etc.

Manifolds cast April 18?
Stovebolt- Your question concerning "component assembly date falls before the engine assembly date", yes it happened. There are many, many examples of this. There was variation in this area from one car to another and the reason there is no "set" rule.  Believe some of this had to do with model (specific part for a model like our 01B 68 Z/28 has a Aug07 alternator), and no FIFO (first in-first out).