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#451 | |
I had a V-8
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 1,116
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
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Ha, ha. These pics reminded me of a couple that I have. I was doing some work under the front end of my wife's T10 Blazer and came in the house to find this: ![]() He's got all the right tools, a saw, a screwdriver, wrench, and he is fumbling around with a hammer--what more do you need?? Your tractor pic reminded me of this one: ![]() This was my pedal tractor when I was his age, so I dug it out of my Mom's shed and restored it for him a few years back and gave it to him for Christmas. After I got done with it I told my mom if she ever buys her boy another pedal tractor to buy two of them to save me a ton of restoration money later on. I enjoy reading your posts. It sounds like you have ahd a helluva run there at GM. Does GM still build trucks at Flint??
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1972 K20 Suburban, 5.9L Cummins, Banks Power Pack, NV4500HD, NP205, H.A.D., D60/14FF ARB Link To Build: HERE. |
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#452 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Beaverton, OR from WA State
Posts: 1,515
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
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Devin 1983 GMC High Sierra 2500, 4x4, RC/LB, 400 S.B., SM-465, NP-208, Corporate 10 bolt & 9.5" 14 bolt 1996 GMC Sierra SLE 3500 DRW, 4x4, EC/LB, Vortec 454, NV-4500, BW-4401, AAM 925 & AAM 1050 1997 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 4x4, Z71/F44, EC/SB, Vortec 350 My Introduction with my '83s History New Daily, the '96 |
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#453 |
I had a V-8
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 1,116
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Yeah, me too. That damn wagon took some serious work to get back to a useable condition. I had overloaded it so many times that I had cracked the bottom and sprung what was left of it like an oil can. It was a mission during the restoration to get the wagon usable. I could have gotten a new one for a lot less effort that it took to repair this one, but what fun is that?? I added a reinforcement across the width of it and welded the axle brackets to the pan itself--seems to be holding up well. How many kids do you know that broke their toy wagon from overloading it??
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1972 K20 Suburban, 5.9L Cummins, Banks Power Pack, NV4500HD, NP205, H.A.D., D60/14FF ARB Link To Build: HERE. |
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#454 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#455 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Moses - I laughed out loud a dozen times looking at your pics....
I could go a bunch of different directions here but will limit my comments to the following: a) My tractor, when I was little, was a green one. In fact, I know I ran into the side of the GTO at least once with it (now I wish I was more careful!). I could ride wheelies on it - rocking it back on a homemade trailer hitch - but since it only had one drive wheel it would turn in a circle ![]() b) Those cement block walls look familiar! My photos were taken during our years in Mesa. c) Nice job on the resto - I have all the stickers to redo the red one. There's quite a little cottage industry out there for restoring these pedal tractors. d) James was probably 6 or 7 when he figured out how to back that trailer around. (His mother still can't back a trailer). These days, among other things, he parks airplanes by backing them into the hangar, using those little "tug" trucks. He came by it honest! e) Yep - still building trucks in Flint. They had been building HD pickups, crew cabs and dual wheel vehicles, but just made an announcement that they are getting some lighter duty trucks now, too. ![]() Edit: I'll have to see if I can find pictures of the "dual rear wheel" wagon my dad made... ![]() K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 02-11-2010 at 09:09 AM. |
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#456 | |
I had a V-8
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 1,116
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
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1972 K20 Suburban, 5.9L Cummins, Banks Power Pack, NV4500HD, NP205, H.A.D., D60/14FF ARB Link To Build: HERE. |
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#457 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
Yes - Detroit - Hamtramck (affectionately known as "D-Ham"). K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#458 |
Robert Olson Transport
![]() Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,288
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
LOL Keith do you know the guy who decided to put those lousy torx bolts to hold seatbelts in every GM vehicle??? Id really like to beat him with my3/4 drive breaker bar!!!
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Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
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#459 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
Seriously, that's why my truck still has the original belts in it. I started to pull them out, beginning on the passenger side, but twisted the head off every bolt. Since I could repair them from the bottom (by cutting the square weld nut off and replacing with a loose nut and bolt) I figured I'd better quit before I got to the driver's side - which would be blocked from underneath by the fuel tank! I figure if I ever have the tank out for some reason I'll twist that one off and repair it while I am at it. K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 02-18-2010 at 08:20 AM. |
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#460 |
Robert Olson Transport
![]() Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,288
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
I was working on my other truck today... the Chevy S 10 and i thought i had it made... three of the four mounting bolts wewre the nuts with the attached washer on them ... the fourth connector has the seat belts attached and had the torx head bolts... I finally got the right decent torx socket and they promptly stripped out... what we did was to take an 11/16 bolt and hold it upside down and sketch out the head of the bolt, cut it out with the makita 3 1/5 inch grinder and jam a socket on it then ratchet it out that way..then off to lowes to find the correct replacement bolt and washers
turned an hour job into a three and half hour adventure..
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Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
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#461 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Beaverton, OR from WA State
Posts: 1,515
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Shoot guys...(knock on wood) I have NEVER had a problem with those torx bolts on the interior. NOW those friggen philips-head that hold the tailgate handle on can die in a friggen fire. I want a piece of the guy that spec'd those bolts.
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Devin 1983 GMC High Sierra 2500, 4x4, RC/LB, 400 S.B., SM-465, NP-208, Corporate 10 bolt & 9.5" 14 bolt 1996 GMC Sierra SLE 3500 DRW, 4x4, EC/LB, Vortec 454, NV-4500, BW-4401, AAM 925 & AAM 1050 1997 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 4x4, Z71/F44, EC/SB, Vortec 350 My Introduction with my '83s History New Daily, the '96 |
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#462 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Well guys - I was doing a "mid winter" assessment of how lil Red is holding up under his first snow season and.... everything is looking pretty good. The cheap "driver quality" trim rings are not going to make it, and the outside mirrors are getting a little pockmarked but everything else (especially anything painted "red") is holding up ok.
At any rate, I noticed a little trick that I hadn't shared with you all yet: I was looking at my tires. They are just a cheap P235/75R15 of some type, but they are whitewalls. Naturally, for the ones on the ground I just had them mounted with the whitewall "in", but I didn't want to see the w/w from underneath the truck. So - I just painted over them, allowing the black Krylon from painting the backside of the rally wheel to go over the tire sidewall. That's probably not a big deal but then I realized that the spare tire up in the bed of the truck was going to be visible from both sides - and - that the white wall would also be visible and not match. So I did the same thing: just put a nice coat of Krylon on the back sidewall of the tire. I know it sounds hokey. It cracked a little bit where the tire pulled into the bed rail upon installation but, other than that, so far so good... ![]() ![]()
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 02-19-2018 at 06:48 PM. |
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#463 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 7,461
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Great tid bit on the tires Keith. Also glad to hear the update on how the truck is holding up after the refreshment.
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#464 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lawrence KS
Posts: 821
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too bad the poor thing had to be out in the cold all winter......
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1981 Chevy C30 440 Holmes 42K one owner miles |
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#465 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
Yah. I agree. ![]() It's never even been inside my garage. K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 03-03-2010 at 12:07 PM. |
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#466 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sammamish, Washington
Posts: 163
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Great job on your truck. I'm doing a similar rebuilt to my GMC 1/2 ton SWB, slowly but surely. Suspension and drive train are done. Interior upholstry and exterior paint are next.
BTW - I like your memory lane shots -- then and now. Keep up the great work! Gosh. If you were only in Seattle .... Take care. |
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#467 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Found out over the weekend that my Chevelle was featured in the May 2010 Popular Hot Rodding magazine, as well as a small photo on the cover.
![]() ![]() Here's a link to the original "behind the scenes" thread, along with the complete finished magazine article. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=355677 K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 02-19-2018 at 06:49 PM. |
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#468 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,188
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Welcome aboard Keith. Your post brings back memories.
I also worked for GM in the late 1970s, before being laid off and moving to Arizona. I got a GM sponsored graduate degree via CMU which offered classes in various GM plants and other offsite locations, including Flint Truck Assembly. I remember watching the body drops on my way to class in conference rooms deep inside the plant. All of the GMI grads in my graduate classes complained that they could not get out of their first production supervision assignment and into engineering, since those jobs were all filled by outside "top tier" engineering school grads, and not "car school" grads. It's good to see that you proved their perception wrong. I bought a 73 C20 454 for $450 in 1982 and drove it out here to AZ after being laid off from GM. I kept that vehicle for 21 years, until rust made it too dangerous to drive. I then bought a 76 C20 350/350 (a real dog) which I sold after two years. In 2002 I bought a 83 C20 454 granny 4 spd. (with a gear vendor) and had a dump hoist conversion installed. I drive that today, after countless repairs- just a second vehicle. One quick question that has always been a problem with 454s - how do you stop "starter heat soak" - the no start condition when the engine is hot? So far, I have installed remote solenoid, GM high torque mini starter, and dual start batteries - but still a somewhat difficult start in 110 degree AZ heat. |
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#469 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
Quote:
K
__________________
Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#470 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,188
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Keith - way off subject, but since I am a former Michigander, I have been following this story about the only true "wolverine" ever seen in Michigan which was just found dead in the Thumb area. I don't know if you have seen this also, but being a UM grad, I have an affinity for wolverines. The second story shows actual live pics and video of this magnificent animal.
http://www.mlive.com/environment/ind..._michigan.html http://www.mlive.com/environment/ind...ine_has_a.html |
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#471 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dublin VA
Posts: 168
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
I'm new here and this is an awesome read. I've probably had 20 Chevy pick ups over the years and just bought a 71. My first vehicle was a 71 stepside with a 307 and a 4 speed with a vertical gate shifter(of course this wasn't original), I really abused that truck. I probably be a little easier on this one.
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#472 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
![]() As it turns out, things look pretty good. The cheap trim rings were the first casualty. They started with some surface rust right after their first exposure to snow/salt: ![]() I've replaced them with some Wheel Vintique stainless parts which I got through the Summit catalog. These actually saw a little snow and look no worse for wear. I think they are going to hold up ok: ![]() The outside rearview mirrors were the only other problem. They corroded and got pock marked. I tried cleaning them up but to no avail; ended up just purchasing another set of mirrors and replacing them outright. I also snapped off the retaining screw removing the driver's side, so I liberally applied some "never sieze" when I went back together. ![]() ![]() I might save those old ones and paint them silver for winter use - or - I might just put new mirrors on the truck every spring, since they are not really that expensive in the grand scheme of things. ![]() Here's why I love the vinyl flooring in my trucks ![]() ![]() ![]() ...and here it is, looking pretty much like when I took a simliar photo back in September of last year. ![]()
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 02-19-2018 at 06:50 PM. |
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#473 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: orangevale, ca
Posts: 3,626
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
wow... its amazing what the salt does to stuff. i never thought just 1 winter would eat up the the trim rings and mirrors like that! crazy...
looks awesome all cleaned up again... looks just like it rolled off the factory assembly line ![]()
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"Dennis the Menace" 1978 Silverado (2wd, 1/2 ton, short bed)complete nut & bolt frame off restomod LQ9/4L80E MY LS SWAP/FRAME OFF BUILD BOOK 2006 TBSS way too much to list ![]() |
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#474 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
I was right! Spring has officially sprung in Michigan!
Stopped by the Autozone bookstore cruise this morning. We've been meeting off and on all winter long but today was definitely the first "big" gathering. The truck was clean and available, so I ended up just driving that. Those of you that have "cool" daily drivers can appreciate how nice it is to just hop in your daily and participate in a cruise or a show... ![]() ![]() ![]() "One of these things is not like the others..." ![]() ![]() It wasn't a bad (or particularly long) winter; just didn't do a lot of automotive stuff; but it's good for the nice weather to be back! K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 02-19-2018 at 06:51 PM. |
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#475 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
I think the quality of the repop chrome is just not that great (or due to "modern" government regulations regarding hazardous materials). Compare those to the original door handles and/or bumpers - which still look very presentable... Thanks, btw - K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 04-03-2010 at 10:21 AM. |
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