I've looked at several restored 70 GS's and the trunk weatherstrip has a couple marks at the 12:00 position. Are these marks called for in the assembly manual? If so, what was their purpose? Or are they not applicable to the 70 GS's at all?
The Shell was made by Fisher Body and then sent to final assembly so this would not show up in the assembly manuals. The reason the marks were installed at the 12:00 o’clock position was so the seam (where the ends would meet) was not centered at the back of the trunk. By putting the mark “off-center” of the weatherstrip, it forced the joint to be off to one side. If you look at the weatherstrip channel in the middle of the rear of the car there is a recession in the body, where any excess water can drain out. They found that if the weather strip joined there, it kept coming loose and the cars would come back for repairs. The simple solution was to move the seam off center and the problem went away. Good catch on noticing that. Duane
Used by the factory worker to install the weatherstrip so that the ends are in the correct location (not at the 6:00 position). However, since these were done by humans I've seen original weatherstrip installed with the ends in various locations.
I recently replaced mine with the Precision piece. I noticed some type of code in the top part of the channel - stamped upside down - when I'd cleaned all the old weatherstrip out. I flipped the picture over for reading purposes.
Brett, The “T 49” is the date code. The number “43327” is a generic body model number used by Fisher Body to “ID” which model used that part. It could just as easily have been 43437, or 44637, etc but they often chose the most commonly used model number for their coding systems. Even though that part (tulip panel) was used on a bunch of different model numbers it gave them a way to code the part. Some people think it is a partial vin number but it’s not. Duane PS, Almost every body panel has numbers stamped into them. Sometimes it is just the date code, sometimes it’s more. If you really get into this you can tell if a fender has been changed, or an entire front clip, etc….. but be warned it is a disease.
If this is off your 70 car then the “49” is the week of the year, which puts it just in front of X-mas of 1969. The “T” code was used by Fisher and there is no definitive answer for that. I believe it was either a location/section code, or for a specific plant. Regardless, some body/sheet metal pieces have specific codes. All 70-72 Skylark/ GS rear quarters are coded “F”. All 70-72 trunk lids are coded “X” That’s just the way it is. Duane
Yep, seen these marks on low mile original A body cars. Here are some photos of the marks on an original '70 Olds Rally 350.
Unrestored '70 GSX built in Feb 1970. The alignment marks (blue and white (maybe it’s yellow)) are in the center which puts the joint of the rubber off center on the RH side.
Just checked my car and the trunk rubber has a blue and white stripe in the center. Built at Flint in April 1970. The joint of the rubber is offset on the RH side as shown.
