66 jack handle; 1 hole vs. 3 holes? Early vs. late

[Gary B.]

I know this topic has been discussed before, but I don't think there has been a definitive conclusions as to whether the '66 jack handle had one hole toward the start of the model year and three holes toward the end of the model year. Have anyone had a late '66 judge at a regional or national who can tell me what the judges expect to see for a late '66?

Thanks,

Gary Beaupre

[Jack H.]

Re: 66 jack handle; 1 hole vs. 3 holes? Early vs.

According to Noland Adams, the single hole wrench was PN 9858953 released to production on 9-1-64 and used for the '65 and '66 model year builds. The 3-hole wrench was PN 3898172 which was released for the '67 MY production.

The drawing in the '67 AIM that calls out jack components shows no running change ECR associated with the wrench, so it was there from the start of production. But, the entire '67 jack drawing was released on 5-17-66....

So, after that date it's possible both versions of the wrench were available to St. Louis. From there, it'd be one of those part transition stories associated with MY change over. If the plant was running low on the early version of the wrench, why buy more inventory when it'd soon be obsolete and next year's part was a form/fit/functional replacement?

BUT, the current edition of the '66 JG disagrees calling for all '66 cars to have the '67 version:

"The wheel wrench is a 3/4-inch hex with a rubber boot around the end. The jack handle has three holes in the wrench handle, one on top and one on each side of the handle."

So, there's a disconnect between what's in the JG and what Noland Adams and the drawing system says. In cases like this, it's best to get the question answered directly from the National Team Leader rather than guess or go by 'hearsay'...

[Stephen L.]

Re: 66 jack handle; 1 hole vs. 3 holes? Early vs.

Adding to Jack's comments... I'd obtain a copy of the drawing for the 67 handle using it as proof that a 3 hole handle didn't "officially" exist before 5/17/66 and present that when questioned.

[Alan Drake]

Re: JG and Updates

Can't we put into place a formal change system to get the JG updated ??

These problems seem to be everywhere and at some point will hurt our organization!

Anyone know if NCRS is addressing the problem?

[Bill W.]

Re: 66 jack handle; 1 hole vs. 3 holes? Early vs.

Gary,

I am the original owner of 1966 # 235xx, built about June 15. I will check my handle tonight and let you know tomorrow. Memory seems to tell me it is a one holer, but let me check. Bill

[Jack H.]

Re: JG and Updates

We HAVE a system in place... You correspond with the cognizant National Team Leader and pursuade him the JG book is in error. Once done, the NTL can either authorize an errata to the JG or wait for the book's next release to make the update.

While it seems the 'problems are everywhere', they actually contribute very little to a car's overall score in our 4500 point system. Plus, our JG books are NOT Gospel, they're GUIDES intended to assist judges with lower personal knowledge bases. They are NOT meant to be a receipe/formula for how to properly restore a given car.

While much of the restoration process is fact/science, there's still a reasonable degree of artform to it. Today's system has been in place for a bit more than 25-years and NCRS hasn't gone 'out of business'...

One reason there's concern is NCRS is one of the few factory concours organizations that actually makes the effort to reduce its judging rules and support documentation to writing. You seldom hear similar complaints about the competing, for-profit, organizations (NCCB/Bloomington, Chevy Vettefest) because they do NOT offer similar published literature and they rarely judge the same car twice meaning those judged don't see the variance associated with the unique knowledge of specific judges you encounter from meet to meet.

[Gary B.]

Thanks Bill

Bill,

I've heard from one person with a June build date car who has a 3-holer. Maybe there was some mixing after the May drawing.

Gary

[Bill W.]

Re: Thanks Bill

Gary, Mine is a single hole and original to the car. Bill

[Gary B.]

Jack: contacting the team leader

Jack,

I've heard from two owners of '66s who both think they have an original jack with 1 hole. So, what would one do now to push this issue along a bit further? Call or e-mail Ray Morrison and ask for his opinion? And who would be best to do this? Someone like Bill Willhelm who actually owns the car and the jack? Or someone like me, asking Ray to talk a look at this thread?

Gary

[Gary B.]

Evidence for a 1-hole handle

Bill,

Thanks. It would be nice if the possibility of a 1-hole jack handle was mentioned in the '66 JG. Do you have any interest in contacting Ray Morrison? It seems that if the 'drawings for 67 handle didn't exist until May of 1966, there should be lots of earlier 66s that have the 1-hole handle.

Gary

[Henry J.]

Re: Evidence for a 1-hole handle

Gary:

My mid-April-built 66 has the original jack and handle. No doubt about that. The jack has the "A" stamping but no date stamping. The handle has one hole. Moreover, the jack hold-down spring has a single, not a double, hook.

[Gary B.]

Single vs. double loop hold-down

Henry,

My July build date '66 also has the single loop hold-down, which is consistent with the 4th ed of the '66 JG.

As concerns the handle, it sounds like the JG needs some revision to account for the 1-hole style.

Gary