Build sheet question
#1
Build sheet question
Getting ready in the next few days to track down the build sheet on my 72 Cutlass Supreme. Mine is a Freemont built car which means I should find it on top of the gas tank. Did they put them in the same spot on the gas tank?
#2
If it's there (sometimes, even on a Fremont car, it's not there or anywhere else on the car), it could be anywhere above the gas tank. I found mine between the gas tank pad and the trunk floor sheet metal, towards the forward end of the gas tank on the driver side.
Randy C.
Randy C.
#4
So is it "tucked in" or hidden or will it be in plain sight? Reason I'm asking is I'm gonna use a bore scope to take a look.
#5
First, there is no guarantee that you will find one at all. Second, there was no "standard" location. You MAY find it on top of the tank, if you are lucky. You may also find it somewhere else entirely, or not at all.
#7
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#8
#9
This won't be enough. To properly locate a build sheet, one needs at least TWO ground-penetrating sonars, a CAT scanner, one scanning tunneling microscope, and a pad of paper attached to a clipboard with two sharp pencils with clean erasers.
#10
When I found mine, I thought the task of doing it would be difficult, but it wasn't. I simply loosened the bolt to the each of the two straps that hold the gas tank in place (didn't take them all the way out and, fortunately, they loosened quite easily - no rust, no corrosion) so I could look up into the area between the tank and the pad and the trunk bottom and, there it was. I didn't even have the car on a lift or raised up - it was just what I could reach laying under the car. I was careful to extract it so it didn't tear and it came out intact without completely removing the gas tank. For starters, just take a look and see what you can find. It may be easier than your mind is telling you. And having your car on a lift would make the job even easier, if you have access to one! Keep in mind, however, that there may be nothing at all. A lot of cars from Fremont had build sheets stowed in them somewhere, but many also did not.
Randy C.
Randy C.
#11
Lol...you forgot the the part about standing on my head and counting my toes😀
#12
When I found mine, I thought the task of doing it would be difficult, but it wasn't. I simply loosened the bolt to the each of the two straps that hold the gas tank in place (didn't take them all the way out and, fortunately, they loosened quite easily - no rust, no corrosion) so I could look up into the area between the tank and the pad and the trunk bottom and, there it was. I didn't even have the car on a lift or raised up - it was just what I could reach laying under the car. I was careful to extract it so it didn't tear and it came out intact without completely removing the gas tank. For starters, just take a look and see what you can find. It may be easier than your mind is telling you. And having your car on a lift would make the job even easier, if you have access to one! Keep in mind, however, that there may be nothing at all. A lot of cars from Fremont had build sheets stowed in them somewhere, but many also did not.
Randy C.
Randy C.
#13
I just loosened the front two bolts which lowered the front end of the gas tank somewhat, but just enough that I was able to see that a piece of paper was there. It was also just enough that I was able to weasel that piece of paper out of there without damaging it. I started at the front end (that is, towards the front of the car) because I thought I could see something but I wasn't sure if it would be the build sheet. As it turned out, it was the build sheet. I believe the bolt that holds each of the two straps up in front are rather long so it gives you some room with which to lower the tank without dropping it. Someone correct me on bolt length if I'm wrong.
Randy C.
Randy C.
#14
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#15
I lowered the front of the tank and didn't see anything...felt around the front...nothing. Even took a look with the bore scope just to make sure, and zilch. So either it's gone the way of the dodo or it's somewhere else. I've checked the package tray and under the rear seat cushion and behind the rear seat back...any ideas?
#17
Keep in mind that it might not be on your car at all. The Lansing plant was fastidious to their rules and either no one, or next to no one, has ever found a build sheet from there. Sometimes the build sheets might not be there from other assembly plants as well. I looked all over my '69 4-4-2 convertible (Fremont car) and never found a build sheet. It could very well be that your build sheet never made it to your car as well. I should add that the build sheet I did find was on my '70 GTO (also a Fremont car).
Randy C.
Randy C.
#19
And there is no way to get a replica, correct?
#20
Will keep you posted and thanks for all the help, even though my quest bore no treasure.😣
Dave
#21
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Oh well...at least I gave it the old college try. If nothing else, I know it's a numbers matching car, and there's still hope with my research in the fact that the dealership that sold the car is still in business. I have a call into the guy that handles records and archives, and he's doing some digging
#22
The build sheets, sometimes called manifests, were a grocery list, for lack of a better term, of what to put on the car on the line. Once the car was built, they have served their purpose and needed to go away, either being stashed or being tossed, and this is why there is no standard on how they worked.
A Chevy I own has two build sheets, and one from the El Camino that was in front of it.
A Chevy I own has two build sheets, and one from the El Camino that was in front of it.
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