Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

[Dan H.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

22XXX June car, very late, silver/silver leather, knock offs, unrestored, been sitting in his garage since early 80's. He was mad at GM because the paint on top of the fender peaks was buffed through to the red primer.

[John H.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

Here's the story on the engine markings, which I've reviewed many times at Local, Regional, and National events as part of my traveling PowerPoint midyear assembly presentation.

The 2-letter suffix code written upside-down in paint stick adjacent to the block side motormount bosses was applied at the head end of the Flint V-8 assembly line, so the operators down the line would know what internals to install (cam, lifters, crank, rods, pistons, etc.); that same suffix was then stamped on the block front pad along with the plant, month, and day digits that made up the engine plant "machine code" gang-stamp right after the engine was flipped right-side-up for installation of the heads, intake, water pump, etc.

When the engine emerged from the paint booth, the suffix scrawled on each side of the block was gone (hidden under the paint), and at 300 per hour, they needed a way to identify the engine (hanging on an overhead conveyor) to route it to the correct unload and rack position on the rail shipping dock - so the suffix code was written on the back side of at least one cylinder head so it could be seen from a distance.

Engines were not pre-selected for a particular car - if a car required an "HE" 327, for instance, it got the first rack of "HE" engines the St. Louis fork lift driver spotted and pulled out of line storage, and the engine line scheduler yanked it out of the rack and hung it on the engine dress conveyor; at that point, the engine got its identity to that car, and had its pad stamped with that car's VIN derivative. St. Louis also used the suffix code scrawled on the back of the cylinder head to identify the engine before hanging it - nobody looked at the stamp pad until the engine line operator hung the engine and stamped the VIN.

The "number" on the back of the cylinder head was the car's Broadcast Sequence Number, which is different than the other number you find written all over the body panels; the one on the body panels is the Body Shop Job Number, which is unrelated to the Broadcast Sequence Number.

The assembly production scheduling system revolves around many different numbers, most of which are important, but unrelated; production is a complex business.

[Michael J.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

Here's the story on the engine markings, which I've reviewed many times at Local, Regional, and National events as part of my traveling PowerPoint midyear assembly presentation.

The 2-letter suffix code written upside-down in paint stick adjacent to the block side motormount bosses was applied at the head end of the Flint V-8 assembly line, so the operators down the line would know what internals to install (cam, lifters, crank, rods, pistons, etc.); that same suffix was then stamped on the block front pad along with the plant, month, and day digits that made up the engine plant "machine code" gang-stamp right after the engine was flipped right-side-up for installation of the heads, intake, water pump, etc.

When the engine emerged from the paint booth, the suffix scrawled on each side of the block was gone (hidden under the paint), and at 300 per hour, they needed a way to identify the engine (hanging on an overhead conveyor) to route it to the correct unload and rack position on the rail shipping dock - so the suffix code was written on the back side of at least one cylinder head so it could be seen from a distance.

Engines were not pre-selected for a particular car - if a car required an "HE" 327, for instance, it got the first rack of "HE" engines the St. Louis fork lift driver spotted and pulled out of line storage, and the engine line scheduler yanked it out of the rack and hung it on the engine dress conveyor; at that point, the engine got its identity to that car, and had its pad stamped with that car's VIN derivative. St. Louis also used the suffix code scrawled on the back of the cylinder head to identify the engine before hanging it - nobody looked at the stamp pad until the engine line operator hung the engine and stamped the VIN.

The "number" on the back of the cylinder head was the car's Broadcast Sequence Number, which is different than the other number you find written all over the body panels; the one on the body panels is the Body Shop Job Number, which is unrelated to the Broadcast Sequence Number.

The assembly production scheduling system revolves around many different numbers, most of which are important, but unrelated; production is a complex business.

Thank you John, as usual you have once again cleared it all up. I do wish I could have seen some of your presentations, but alas I have not.

[Jim D.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

Thanks for clearing that up John.

[John H.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

The "number" on the back of the cylinder head was the car's Broadcast Sequence Number, which is different than the other number you find written all over the body panels; the one on the body panels is the Body Shop Job Number, which is unrelated to the Broadcast Sequence Number.

Actually, the Broadcast Sequence Number on the back of the cylinder head IS related to the Body Shop Job Number, but it can be affected by any of the re-run "loops" in the Paint Shop; too complex to discuss here.

[Tim G.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

Great explanation, John. That's very interesting.

[Michael J.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

With some careful elbow grease, the front passenger side footwell markings are now visible on my car. Same 364 number as the back of the bulkhead behind the tank, but different from the head number.

[Dan A.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

With some careful elbow grease, the front passenger side footwell markings are now visible on my car. Same 364 number as the back of the bulkhead behind the tank, but different from the head number.

Might that be one of "Bubba's" handy dandy fuel line repairs we see in the lower left of the picture?

[Michael J.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

You got it. After a half dozen owners and an early racing history, things happened, and many people just had no respect for an unusual car in the day. But, it will be put back to TFP, along with some other things that happened over the years. Luckily, so far no body damage seen at all, all pristine glass and bonding strips, and the interior is very good original, except for a few extra gauges.......

[Dean E.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

Hi Alan, I just came across your post after receiving a message today (24 Sep 16) on my new post asking for info on cylinder head markings...
My car is a 31 Mar 64 built coupe with the number "380" on the front passenger side and "RD" on the front drivers side cylinder head.
Does this fall in line with yours??
Thanks all for this info!
Dean

[Dean E.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

Correction!!
That was "308" NOT "380"...
Sorry for the typo.