1966 GTO 421??

[sixtiesmuscle]

I agree, but, it could account for those "freaks' we used to have running around. That is, other than Wanger's "demos". I'm curious to hear what sources Bobcat has for this assertion.

[442w30]

I hear ya, but what freaks do you talk about? Cars that were running faster than they should?

Speaking of freaks, we're all hung up on 421 cars. It'd be cool to find a 428HO GTO. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img]

[Bobcat]

Some one wanted my credentials. I'll just scratch the surface.The Source of most of my information. Is I was there for much of it. Family member in engineering depart in '50's through '80's. Family had scrap contracts for GM. Supplied cold roll steel for prototype, production runs and spot buys. Family owned several auto parts stores and machine shops in Detroit area. Some of the employees went on to engineering and suppler companies. Friend was Pontiac assistant line distrbution manager. '66 though 1969 than went onto engineering dept.I keep in touch with a few of them. Freinds worked You'll find me in the credit's of The History Channels "history of the Firbird", The BBC's Jermey Clarkston's "Detroit The Auto Industry", SpeedChannels "MuscleCar" "The Hurst Corporation", I'm in the first paragraph of the "Introduction" of Jim Wangers book glory days. Several past and current pateints are the people you are discussing. From days of old. President Royal Pontiac Club of America. www.Royalpontiac.org, I grew with friends who's fathers where head engineers from different departments and divisions. Family memmber went to Northwood Institute with Roger Smith's daughter Tory and several other dealer and manufacturing executives kids. Do I pass the audition.

[Bobcat]

Apparently you are to young or don't recall the law suites against GM in the '70's when it was found out that they had installed Chevy engines in Oldsmobiles. This is why GM now has only has Corporate engines and a central Division called POWERTRAIN.

[sixtiesmuscle]

Welcome "Bobcat". I only WISH I were too young, and yes, I do recall the Chevy-Olds issue. That still doesn't resolve a question of engines with incorrect VINs being put into cars. Mistakes probably happened, but, there was a post that indicated it was routine to pull engines off the line, and, just go to "the next" one in line. There must have been some precedure to assure that every subsequent car that day didn't receive an engine meant for another car. Maybe you can enlighten us on what they did when an engine was pulled for engineering to test.

[Steve_Hoog]

Mike

I'm not sure of the year, was it 67 or 68 that they started putting the VIN on the blocks?

Steve

[Bobcat]

Since, I don't have time to recreate the three shifts and the out line of the Pontiac assembly line process. Let me Refer you to the GTOAA monthly magzine "THE LEDGEND". Which in 1993 Eric White did a complete series of approximately 8 issues, from January to December 1993. The series of articles were titled "Made In Pontiac" gives a nice general overview of the Pontiac assembly process in Pontiac. This will give an insight of the workings.
First, there were three shifts. With each shift having approximately 200 engines always on the hook. Each engine was tested then placed on one of two round tables and run for about 30 seconds with instruments. Reject and install. Good motors where hung up to besent down to plant 8. If a excessive run of bad motors or somthing happened, like an engineer needing an engine the line was NOT interuped for long. The plant was also shipping motors to other plants. and sometimes instead of a three day supply they could be as close as one to one. Unit to engine. There were approximately 500 bodies in the Fischer Body bank across the street. The plant wasn't as hung up on numbers as you are. Most of the other car company's only go by approximate date codes. But even Pontiac would pull out old stock that could have been stored several months. "House Rule was 30 - 90 days that the engine should be installed into a car.
Defective engines got into cars and where put into the "100%" or reliablity hut behind plant 9, that would fit six cars, and would have complete engine pulled and exchanged. The engines prior to 1968 were unit number NOT body VIN. numbers.
SO, NO THIS WOULD NOT DISRUPT THE ENTIRE LINE. Only a few cars in line and any car that was pulled for problems and placed in the reliablity hut. Pullys were installed down the line. Body's were dropped after the drive line, suspenion, wheels and tires where on the chassis.
Modern assembly, loads the craddle with all the pully's etc, under the already assembled unitized body. These where body and frame.
Computers are now used. Punch cards and typewriters in the dark ages.
Contact the GTOAA and get a copy of Eric White's series. Be informed. Some of the plants are giving tours, take one.