New 66 TIM/JG - Differences from AIM

[Edward D.]

Just got the new updated color 66 TIM/JG and have been going thru my personal 66 with it for entertainment purposes (car has never been judged and may never be). I keep running into differences between the JG and the factory AIM sheets. For instance, the lower control arm rubber rebound bumper bolts are specifically called out as installed with heads down and nuts on top in the JG yet the AIM clearly shows them the other way. The steering column band clamp is noted as bolt oriented to the inside but the AIM shows it outside. Question is this, in the event of a conflict which document rules? I'd think the AIM but what do the NCRS judges consider? Will they deduct for something installed per AIM but not in conformance with their JG? Seems to me I have run into this before and have gone with the JG for cars destined for judging, but I'm not sure this is right. Reason I ask is I have customers with high end cars who may have their cars judged and I need to keep them happy.

[Gary C.]

Re: New 66 TIM/JG - Differences from AIM

Edward,

Please keep in mind that AIM's are an Engineering document.

As John Hinckley, who worked at GM and the St. Louis Assembly plant back in the day, apprised me was that Plant had their own "Assembly Manual" of how the cars really went together.

Judging Manuals are developed with consideration of the AIM and parts manuals, but specific details are usually taken from what's been observed on "real unmolested" Corvettes.

The real question would be if your car's original; what/how are the items in question installed on your car?

Gary
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[Patrick H.]

Re: New 66 TIM/JG - Differences from AIM

There are multiple instances in almost all years of actual production differing from the AIM. The assembly line workers found some alternative methods of assembly to be easier, so that's what they did.

The NCRS uses actual original cars to write the Judging Guides for the vast majority of details. Having been on several of these revisions, we do use the AIM on occasion to answer questions, but nothing trumps original cars.

PH