Factory firewall chalk marks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

62lwbc10 · 10-07-2013, 04:35 PM

I have an interest in identifying and decoding factory chalk marks on our vintage trucks. I recently met a guy in my neighborhood that has an all original 58 step with less than 50k orig miles on the original motor (235). Really a beautiful example of a completely original vehicle in every way. Anyway, the attached pic shows an original marking on the firewall for those of you that share an interest in these little details.

mr48chev · 10-07-2013, 05:18 PM

You've been hanging around the Mustang restorer's club too much lately I see. Chalk marks on the firewall are a huge issue with them guys. They even drag old inspectors out of the old folks home to verify chalk marks on their cars. It is a real experience to go to a Mustang restorer's show just to look and listen if you have never been I highly recommend it. I think they outdo Corvette restorers for being anal about their restored cars.

I think if you were to research it at some extent you would find that 3104 was the id number of the inspector that checked off some particular step (s) during the building of the truck and may have been his/her time card number. No secret code or anything.

**G&R's57GMC** · 10-07-2013, 05:31 PM

What he said OR the 3104 is the model # .

#3104 would be a Cameo.

mr48chev · 10-07-2013, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

What he said OR the 3104 is the model # .

#3104 would be a Cameo.

I never thought about that aspect but it would make just as much sense as being the inspectors number. That would let the people on the line know if it needed special Cameo pieces on it as it went down the line.

**G&R's57GMC** · 10-07-2013, 05:39 PM

My thought exactly.

62lwbc10 · 10-07-2013, 05:46 PM

3104 stands for the model of the truck, its not mysterious at all. 3104 stands for a half ton short bed truck. 3124 is the code for a Cameo. If you think the mustang people are crazy, the camaro folks are even worse.

**G&R's57GMC** · 10-07-2013, 05:49 PM

Doh !! I knew that, dang brain fart !

OrrieG · 10-07-2013, 09:06 PM

I have had emails and calls from Chevelle guys wanting me to check the marks on my survivor Chevelle. Even came with the original shocks, etc. I have taken care to not paint over any of them "just in case". The older I get the more inclined I am to just shoot it with some satin clear and call it good for another 25 years.

1project2many · 10-08-2013, 06:52 AM

I saved the marks on the trans and the floor of my truck. Grease and undercoat had protected them for years so I applied clearcoat over them during the restoration. Any value they have, however, is in someone else's mind.

10-07-2013, 04:35 PM	#1
62lwbc10 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 394	Factory firewall chalk marks I have an interest in identifying and decoding factory chalk marks on our vintage trucks. I recently met a guy in my neighborhood that has an all original 58 step with less than 50k orig miles on the original motor (235). Really a beautiful example of a completely original vehicle in every way. Anyway, the attached pic shows an original marking on the firewall for those of you that share an interest in these little details. Attached Images

10-07-2013, 05:18 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,342	Re: Factory firewall chalk marks You've been hanging around the Mustang restorer's club too much lately I see. Chalk marks on the firewall are a huge issue with them guys. They even drag old inspectors out of the old folks home to verify chalk marks on their cars. It is a real experience to go to a Mustang restorer's show just to look and listen if you have never been I highly recommend it. I think they outdo Corvette restorers for being anal about their restored cars. I think if you were to research it at some extent you would find that 3104 was the id number of the inspector that checked off some particular step (s) during the building of the truck and may have been his/her time card number. No secret code or anything. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

10-07-2013, 05:39 PM	#5
G&R's57GMC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Shasta Lake, CA. Posts: 1,619	Re: Factory firewall chalk marks My thought exactly. __________________ Glen & Jane's Rides ‘57 GMC NAPCO Long Bed V8 4 speed Bought 2008 7 other cars & trucks , 5 trailers '56 Chevy Long Bed I6, 4 speed Bought 1990 Sold 8.22.2020 ’56 GMC Suburban Pickup V8, 4 speed Hydramatic Bought 1996 Sold 10.11.2020 My Other Tinkerings http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post8967275

10-07-2013, 05:46 PM	#6
62lwbc10 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 394	Re: Factory firewall chalk marks 3104 stands for the model of the truck, its not mysterious at all. 3104 stands for a half ton short bed truck. 3124 is the code for a Cameo. If you think the mustang people are crazy, the camaro folks are even worse.

10-07-2013, 05:49 PM	#7
G&R's57GMC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Shasta Lake, CA. Posts: 1,619	Re: Factory firewall chalk marks Doh !! I knew that, dang brain fart ! __________________ Glen & Jane's Rides ‘57 GMC NAPCO Long Bed V8 4 speed Bought 2008 7 other cars & trucks , 5 trailers '56 Chevy Long Bed I6, 4 speed Bought 1990 Sold 8.22.2020 ’56 GMC Suburban Pickup V8, 4 speed Hydramatic Bought 1996 Sold 10.11.2020 My Other Tinkerings http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post8967275

10-07-2013, 05:31 PM	#3
G&R's57GMC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Shasta Lake, CA. Posts: 1,619	Re: Factory firewall chalk marks What he said OR the 3104 is the model # . #3104 would be a Cameo. __________________ Glen & Jane's Rides ‘57 GMC NAPCO Long Bed V8 4 speed Bought 2008 7 other cars & trucks , 5 trailers '56 Chevy Long Bed I6, 4 speed Bought 1990 Sold 8.22.2020 ’56 GMC Suburban Pickup V8, 4 speed Hydramatic Bought 1996 Sold 10.11.2020 My Other Tinkerings http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post8967275

10-07-2013, 09:06 PM	#8
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Factory firewall chalk marks I have had emails and calls from Chevelle guys wanting me to check the marks on my survivor Chevelle. Even came with the original shocks, etc. I have taken care to not paint over any of them "just in case". The older I get the more inclined I am to just shoot it with some satin clear and call it good for another 25 years. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

10-08-2013, 06:52 AM	#9
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,158	Re: Factory firewall chalk marks I saved the marks on the trans and the floor of my truck. Grease and undercoat had protected them for years so I applied clearcoat over them during the restoration. Any value they have, however, is in someone else's mind.



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