Big Dave
Sep 2nd, 07, 02:04 PM
I got a PM from jus4tzn (http://www.novas.net/forums/member.php?u=1195)requesting info on were to look to try and find build sheets. This is a common enough question that I think it deserves it own post; so here is my response.
Imagine forty years ago. You are employed by GM to work on a boring assembly line. Your job is to install the console and gauges. Every car coming down the line has a clip board attached to it with over twenty build sheets on it. It identified the car with the ordered options to be installed. Now not every car got a console, so you would look at the build sheet and take one to get the parts (like gauges mounted to the console and the console wiring harness). You do your thing and install the console. Now you can take your build sheet and walk all the way to the trash can and throw it away like you are supposed to; or you can be lazy and stuff it in the car while you are working under the dash (You can not leave it under the carpet like the guy ahead of you did because the console goes in after the carpet is laid down). Remember time is of the essence, the car is still moving towards completion.
The guys that also install the interior parts have been known to leave them inside the doors between the cardboard door covers and the weatherproof tar-paper, under the seats, on top of the glove box, in the trunk under the package tray. Anywhere that a customer wouldn't find it without tearing the car apart to find it. The guy who installed the rear end with the correct gear ratio usually left his on top of the gas tank, which protected it from the weather. There are build sheets stuffed in between the inner and outer fenders by the guy that installed the motor (usually destroyed by time and weather, though partials have been found), under the cowl, in the heater core box, or wiper motor cavity; anywhere you could stuff a piece of paper.
You just have to remember that this was trash to the worker, not a valuable source of documentation. He was trying to get rid of his trash (this includes Coke bottles, memos, gum wrappers) without being caught by their supervisor. You know what they say, "One man's trash, is another man's treasure." Happy hunting.
Big Dave
Imagine forty years ago. You are employed by GM to work on a boring assembly line. Your job is to install the console and gauges. Every car coming down the line has a clip board attached to it with over twenty build sheets on it. It identified the car with the ordered options to be installed. Now not every car got a console, so you would look at the build sheet and take one to get the parts (like gauges mounted to the console and the console wiring harness). You do your thing and install the console. Now you can take your build sheet and walk all the way to the trash can and throw it away like you are supposed to; or you can be lazy and stuff it in the car while you are working under the dash (You can not leave it under the carpet like the guy ahead of you did because the console goes in after the carpet is laid down). Remember time is of the essence, the car is still moving towards completion.
The guys that also install the interior parts have been known to leave them inside the doors between the cardboard door covers and the weatherproof tar-paper, under the seats, on top of the glove box, in the trunk under the package tray. Anywhere that a customer wouldn't find it without tearing the car apart to find it. The guy who installed the rear end with the correct gear ratio usually left his on top of the gas tank, which protected it from the weather. There are build sheets stuffed in between the inner and outer fenders by the guy that installed the motor (usually destroyed by time and weather, though partials have been found), under the cowl, in the heater core box, or wiper motor cavity; anywhere you could stuff a piece of paper.
You just have to remember that this was trash to the worker, not a valuable source of documentation. He was trying to get rid of his trash (this includes Coke bottles, memos, gum wrappers) without being caught by their supervisor. You know what they say, "One man's trash, is another man's treasure." Happy hunting.
Big Dave