Shim markings 70

[Keith L.]

I got my frame marking kit today and the directions said the crayon changed from to green sometime in 70. So what color on my A22 70? The pics on 70 registry are green but are later builds. My frame was brown and couldn't tell what they were.

[Keith L.]

Re: Shim markings 70

OK, does anyone have a 70 dated near A22 that knows what color the shim crayon marks were?

[Pat M.]

Re: Shim markings 70

Keith - I've seen pictures of purportedly original markings for 70s in both green and white covering various periods. I went with green since the E19 build of my 70 was relatively close to some pictured on the 70 registry that were green. I was never told in judging that my color was wrong. Hopefully someone with more certain info regarding your build date will chime in. Good Luck

[John H.]

Re: Shim markings 70

When the Utilityman from the Chassis Line went to the General Stores crib to get more lumber crayons/grease pencils for the operators at the shim fixture station, I doubt if he had to have a specific color, as long as it'd show up on the frame.

[Keith L.]

Re: Shim markings 70

Thanks John, I understand how that works. I just would like to know whats color is on cars dated close to mine. I would hate to do green and then find a couple of cars before and after mine were white.

One thing I got to thinking about though, My frame stencil is 11.12.69. So if that is an assembly date where was it for over two months for my A22 car? And when were the shim numbers put on? Should I be asking about A22 cars or mid Nov frames?

[Paul O.]

Re: Shim markings 70

Keith 70 production did not start till Jan 70 if your car is a Jan 22 build it should be about S/N 1500 or so. With that my opinion is that the shim marks should be white yours is early car if my assumption is correct. Paul 18046

[Keith L.]

Re: Shim markings 70

Paul, you are correct on my vin in the 1500s. What do you base your opinion of white markings on?

[Paul O.]

Re: Shim markings 70

I am a Master Judge Chassis for 68-69, 70-72 and 73-82. Judged about 100 restored and original cars some Bowtie and viewing about another 500 cars some restored and others original. These are just for 1970 Vettes that I have viewed or judged. I would buy the white shim marks for your early car have seen later S/N original cars with white markings. Paul 18046

[Keith L.]

Re: Shim markings 70

Thanks Paul.

[Joseph M.]

Re: Shim markings 70

Getting ready to drop the body on my 70. The frame only had 3 shims on left side #4 mount. I know a numerical 3 should go there, but should there be a 0 at all others? Tx for any comments.

[Paul O.]

Re: Shim markings 70

Joseph you are right should be a zero at mounts with no shims. I could also see no markings at all at those positions. All frames should have at least one zero position. Paul 18046

[Joseph M.]

Re: Shim markings 70

Paul

Are you saying there should be a 0 at all mounts with no shims or just one 0 at at least one mount. TX

[John H.]

Re: Shim markings 70

One thing I got to thinking about though, My frame stencil is 11.12.69. So if that is an assembly date where was it for over two months for my A22 car? And when were the shim numbers put on? Should I be asking about A22 cars or mid Nov frames?

Keith -

The painted stencil info was applied at the A.O. Smith-Milwaukee frame plant, and the shim markings were applied at St. Louis, on the Frame Line (early C3 years) and at the end of the Chassis Line just prior to Body Drop (later C3 years).

[Keith L.]

Re: Shim markings 70

Thanks John, So the date represents when the frame was made? Not when suspension parts were assembled to it.

[John H.]

Re: Shim markings 70

Thanks John, So the date represents when the frame was made? Not when suspension parts were assembled to it.

It actually represents the day the frame was shipped from the A.O. Smith frame plant. In the midyear era, when the frames were made at A.O. Smith-Granite City, Illinois, across the river from St. Louis, the frames were stenciled when they were loaded on the flatbed trucks at the A.O. Smith shipping dock.