1965 Special Suspension RPO: &F40

[Ray K.]

Looking thru my 1965 AIMs manual, I am unable to find a page that shows the special suspension (RPO: &F40) that was offered as an option. Can someone please post a copy of it for me?
Ray K (#43777)

[Richard M.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &F40

Ray I'll see what I can find later when I get to the computer.

Rich

[Don H.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &F40

Front Suspension page shows F40 shocks as alternate to normal shocks. I think it's UPC3 Sheet 4. I don't see any mention of alternate parts on rear suspension pages.

[Ray K.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &F40

Rich,
Appreciate you taking the time to search for UPC: &F40.
Ray K

[Ray K.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &F40

Don,
Thanks for pointing out the F40 front springs in UPC 3, sheet 4, charted item only. F40 shocks are item #5.
Interesting way to identify the F40 front springs and shocks (versus an optional F40 sheet).
Makes me wonder if somebody forgot to show the F40 rear spring in UPC 4, sheet B1, item #4 (or not show a rear spring chart).
And were the F40 trim heights different from the base suspension?
Ray K

[Richard M.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &F40

Ray, I went through my 1965 AIM. There is NO F40 UPC. I never knew that.

I helped restore a friends '65 Fuelie Coupe with F40 from the factory. He knew it's history from birth. At the time, I seem to recall now he may have told me saying there was nothing in the AIM re F40. Goes back over 12 years so not positive. It TF'd in the 2010 Winter Regionals and the 2010 Nationals in Charlotte. Some photos of the car below the AIM pages. It has the 7 leaf rear spring, bigger front sway bar, etc. I learned a lot about F40/F41 from him then.

What about the latest Judging Guide? Could that help your research?

Also, there are many F40 threads here, but hard to search. I just found them using this in the Advanced Search field. Note to put it in double quotes with the spaces front, center and rear. I found 34 threads with it.

" F40 Suspension "

The only AIM references I see is the Option List Sheet 1, And as Don said UPC 3 Sheet 4, which is relative to front springs and shocks. Nothing in Rear Susp list either. I just did a quick scan and highlight of the info. Sorry for the big whitespace, my Paint program is a pain to use.

UPC Option Index Sheet 1
I cannot find any reference to the asterisks (*) on any items on the page, including *F40.

1965_F40_UPC3_Sheet4_Fr_Susp.jpg
UPC 3 Sheet 4
1965_F40_UPC3_Sheet4_Fr_Susp.jpg
His F40 Fuelie then....

[Jack M.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &F40

If you check UPC - Option Index, Sheet - #1... it lists F40/41 for model years 1965-67.
Unfortunately, the option has an asterisk (*) that indicates the following:

DENOTES OPTION INDEXED ONLY
(SEE INTROD SHEET)

I'm not aware of the 'INTROD SHEET'... perhaps someone else might know more.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &F40

If you check UPC - Option Index, Sheet - #1... it lists F40/41 for model years 1965-67.
Unfortunately, the option has an asterisk (*) that indicates the following:

DENOTES OPTION INDEXED ONLY
(SEE INTROD SHEET)

I'm not aware of the 'INTROD SHEET'... perhaps someone else might know more.

Thanks Jack, I read that but saw a 1 in a box and missed the asterisk below the box.

Maybe "INTROD" is a typo for "INTRO.

Rich

[Jack M.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &F40

Maybe "INTROD" is a typo for "INTRO.

Or perhaps a weird abbreviation for INTRODUCTION...

[Mark F.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &F40

From John Hinckley's C2 MIDYEAR CORVETTE ASSEMBLY PROCESS writeups, Step 3 on the Frame Upside-Down Line (FUDL) states the following:

FUDL-3 Install rear suspension module (subassembly from basement included the suspension crossmember and cushions, differential and nose bracket, half-shafts, trailing arm assemblies, strut bracket and rods, and rear spring with the ends free). Bolt crossmember and differential nose bracket to frame, install rear jounce bumpers and big-block rear stabilizer bar. < dunno if the bar also comes up from the basement with the module or not...

So, the only parts left to be installed after that station (I think) are the F40/41 shocks (front and back); the F40/41 front springs (rear spring is already installed as part of the subassembly "rear suspension module" that comes up from the basement); and the front stabilizer bar (?).

Maybe the basement sub-assemblies/modules had there own AIMs (?) - dunno...

The introduction (in my '67 version) says, "The option index will indicate if an option is illustrated or non-illustrated. An option will be illustrated if it varies in assembly from regular production; or non-illustrated if it assembles the same as regular production or a related option."


So, my guess is the following are non-illustrated in the AIM because:

• "Assembly" of shocks to the car is the same whether it's F40/41 or not...(the parts are different; but different instructions to the line workers are not needed...)
• Inserting the front springs is the same assembly process whether it's F40/41 or not...again, different parts, but the same assembly steps
• Attaching stabilizer bars to the car is the same assembly process whether it's F40/41 or not...and again, different parts, but the same assembly steps

[Dave S.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &amp;F40

Ray, I went through my 1965 AIM. There is NO F40 UPC. I never knew that.

I helped restore a friends '65 Fuelie Coupe with F40 from the factory. He knew it's history from birth. At the time, I seem to recall now he may have told me saying there was nothing in the AIM re F40. Goes back over 12 years so not positive. It TF'd in the 2010 Winter Regionals and the 2010 Nationals in Charlotte. Some photos of the car below the AIM pages. It has the 7 leaf rear spring, bigger front sway bar, etc. I learned a lot about F40/F41 from him then.

What about the latest Judging Guide? Could that help your research?

Also, there are many F40 threads here, but hard to search. I just found them using this in the Advanced Search field. Note to put it in double quotes with the spaces front, center and rear. I found 34 threads with it.

" F40 Suspension "

The only AIM references I see is the Option List Sheet 1, And as Don said UPC 3 Sheet 4, which is relative to front springs and shocks. Nothing in Rear Susp list either. I just did a quick scan and highlight of the info. Sorry for the big whitespace, my Paint program is a pain to use.

UPC Option Index Sheet 1
I cannot find any reference to the asterisks (*) on any items on the page, including *F40.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]113220[/ATTACH]
UPC 3 Sheet 4
[ATTACH=CONFIG]113220[/ATTACH]
His F40 Fuelie then....

[Richard M.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &amp;F40

Or perhaps a weird abbreviation for INTRODUCTION...

Jack yes that's my thought too. Weird word.

From John Hinckley's C2 MIDYEAR CORVETTE ASSEMBLY PROCESS writeups, Step 3 on the Frame Upside-Down Line (FUDL) states the following:

FUDL-3 Install rear suspension module (subassembly from basement included the suspension crossmember and cushions, differential and nose bracket, half-shafts, trailing arm assemblies, strut bracket and rods, and rear spring with the ends free). Bolt crossmember and differential nose bracket to frame, install rear jounce bumpers and big-block rear stabilizer bar. < dunno if the bar also comes up from the basement with the module or not...

So, the only parts left to be installed after that station (I think) are the F40/41 shocks (front and back); the F40/41 front springs (rear spring is already installed as part of the subassembly "rear suspension module" that comes up from the basement); and the front stabilizer bar (?).

Maybe the basement sub-assemblies/modules had there own AIMs (?) - dunno...

The introduction (in my '67 version) says, "The option index will indicate if an option is illustrated or non-illustrated. An option will be illustrated if it varies in assembly from regular production; or non-illustrated if it assembles the same as regular production or a related option."


So, my guess is the following are non-illustrated in the AIM because:

• "Assembly" of shocks to the car is the same whether it's F40/41 or not...(the parts are different; but different instructions to the line workers are not needed...)
• Inserting the front springs is the same assembly process whether it's F40/41 or not...again, different parts, but the same assembly steps
• Attaching stabilizer bars to the car is the same assembly process whether it's F40/41 or not...and again, different parts, but the same assembly steps

Mark, Excellent analysis and summary. The group that built the rear suspension assembly must have had the F40 "instruction" set to use the unique F40 parts. Came to the line as a monster like the standard assembly.

Subsequently, later years had their own UPC showing details. I didn't notice any separate boxes showing rear F40 rear susp or front stabilizer bar parts though. I'll look again.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &amp;F40


Yes, when I was looking at them, good memories for sure. I took about 150. Your "brother" convertible fuelie car is so special too.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &amp;F40

So I looked again for F40 info in the AIM.
Note there are no unique F40 parts for the HD rear spring, HD shock mounts, HD rear shocks, or HD front stabilizer.


Here's another F40 tidbit..... L78 A2.

Am I reading it wrong, or did ALL L78's come with F40??? I recall John Hinckley saying in the 1967 AIM(same * notation) that it was a error, As in 1967 F41 was only available on L71, L89, L88.

1965 UPC L78 Sheet A2

1965_F40_UPCL78_SheetA2.jpg

[Mark F.]

Re: 1965 Special Suspension RPO: &amp;F40

So I looked again for F40 info in the AIM. Note there are no unique F40 parts for the HD rear spring, HD shock mounts, HD rear shocks, or HD front stabilizer. Here's another F40 tidbit..... L78 A2. Am I reading it wrong, or did ALL L78's come with F40??? I recall John Hinckley saying in the 1967 AIM (same * notation) that it was a error, As in 1967 F41 was only available on L71, L89, L88. 1965 UPC L78 Sheet A2

Rich,

I see the confusion. Maybe the wording was not clear enough ?

Do they really mean, "The components below (if applicable to this RPO) are * assembled as indicated"

I'm thinking the ever-illusive-never-to-be-found BROADCAST SHEET would have told "Joe Bagadoughnuts" (the line worker) "grab part #3171488 or 3171489" (whatever) and slap it on just as you would the Base configuration when the job got to his/her station...dunno ? IOW "Assembly" is the same for any part so indicated by the asterisk (if applicable to that RPO).

Whatdayathink ?