Driveshaft/half shaft foil labels

[Kenn S.]

So with the frame sand blasted, primed, and painted, I've turned to some of the other longer-lead components (restoration-wise). I'm pressing the U-joints from the half shafts in preparation for sending to Quanta when I see (recall) a foil label. I'd noticed them before but hadn't paid much attention at the time since I was dismantling the car and would "get to that." Now I'm finally getting to it.

The 1980 driveshaft and half shafts have foil labels, and the my driveshaft's is clearly still visible (half shafts are not). It's a part or registration number, or something along those lines. Apparently it replaces the stencils you'd find on older cars, no doubt a cost-saving measure. You can see one here:

http://www.corvettec3.ca/linepics/data/images/7.jpg

I've not seen anyone repro one of these, and searching the forum archives didn't turn anything up. Would anyone know of a member (or company) who does produce these? TIA...

[Kenn S.]

Re: Driveshaft/half shaft foil labels

Nobody? I should be able to save the driveshaft label. I'll see if I can find a suitable blank and recreate it. If I do, I'll post what I did/find out.

[Paul O.]

Re: Driveshaft/half shaft foil labels

Kenn

When I have judged 1980 to 1982 Corvettes many cars these labels were still there. I have never studied them thoroughly enough to write the numbers if present. Those numbers would be the P/N for the shaft so the line worker could locate the correct shaft easily. No one is reproducing these labels that I know of most likely due a very low request for them. I do not know if any one has researched these labels and all the variations of numbers (if they did have different numbers) over the years. I know they were used on C4 Corvettes and most likely generations after that. Your National Team Leader may have more information on these labels my suggestion would be to contact him. Also is there any information in the Judging Guide about the labels?

[Kenn S.]

Re: Driveshaft/half shaft foil labels

Thanks, Paul...

The judging guide talks about the "axle shafts" (which I know as "half shafts"), and it merely says "Axle shafts may have a 'clean' spot that contains a part number in black ink." (Section 12, page 118 of the third edition)

Well, that "clean spot" is in reality a label with the P/N printed in the center. The original label has embossed printing, which is evident when removing the label as I have done to my half shafts and driveshaft. That makes sense since laser printing wasn't an option in 1980. My half shafts are in rough shape and unreadable. But my driveshaft label is in excellent shape.

I've been researching, and I've not found the exact blank label (foil-backed mylar). I did call RippedSheets.com, which manufactures labels to custom specifications for laser printing, and I did order a foil label the correct size (3.5" by 1", with rounded corners with a 1/16" radius). It's never going to pass judging, but in my personal case that's fine. I'd like the label to be present but don't intend to have this car judged. (Cars I would have judged are older and would have the typical painted stencil application.)

Cars you've judged then likely didn't have the shafts removed and restored. The label would never survive the process. In my case the shafts have rusted and require resurfacing, which is probably very common for cars actually being restored versus survivors or partial survivors. I can say that underneath the label the shaft is bare, shiny steel and looks terrific. I can't wait to get mine cleaned up and back on the car.

To anyone else wondering if the foil label I ordered works or is too far off base even for a non-judged car, I'll post the results when the labels arrive and I can compare. RippedSheets.com is also sending a plastic label I can apply over the foil, which is definitely not how the facory did it. But from a distance it might/might not pass muster. To be determined. If it does look reasonably good, I had to order 10 sheets of the darn things, so contact me for a sheet if you're interested and they seem reasonably appropriate to use.

Meanwhile, I didn't know the labels would also be found on C4's. Might be worth looking from that angle too. Thanks for the tip on that one.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Driveshaft/half shaft foil labels

Kenn, One of the sources I use for labels does sell foil labels. However, they must be used in a laser printer and the material is not cheap. So, if you're bored and want to make your own...

[Paul O.]

Re: Driveshaft/half shaft foil labels

Kenn

Here is a C4 label.

[Tom R.]

Re: Driveshaft/half shaft foil labels

This is the label from a low-mileage 78 Pace Car. I have another photo with the part number if you need it.
halfshaftlabel.jpg