When we had transferees from Lynch and Hamtramck to Belvidere, they were amazed that this was a Chrysler Auto plant. No muggings, no prostitutes, very little smoking and drinking (comparatively).

They thought they had died and gone to Heaven. When chances came to return to the City plants, most declined.

Belvidere to Hamtramck/Lynch Rd. approx. 300 miles. I mean LIGHT YEARS. Older GM plants, same deal.

But I will always believe that the vast majority of Auto workers tried to build the best car that management would allow.

I remember back in the early eighties getting bad front fenders and the first shift sorted all the good ones left and the fenders went to the elpo and then body. Well the next shift had no fenders left that made the good pile. So management lowered their standard and we sorted the fenders on our shift and completed and use these up. So guess what happens on the next shift. They sort the fenders again lowering quality and built the shift with this scrap. Finally a expedited truck full of new fenders show up and the good stuff finally was put to use. So management told us basically to put the crap on the line so it would not shut down. Quality has to come from some place and management idea was first to build and quality was way down the list.

I just brought another 1970 Hemi into the shop, original numbers engine from a 1970 Hemi Challenger. casting date; 11-11-68. 10,000 day assembly date: 3066 (Friday, December 19, 1969)

Seems like this day 11-11-68 was a huge day to make Hemi Blocks. Scott at one time you were writing down the casting dates of Hemi blocks are you still doing that. If so maybe we can create another post that people can add their hemi block casting on.

I watched the same thing at Belvidere. Bad door assemblys were shipped to salvage hole.

Better ones fixed bad ones segregated.

TICK TICK goes the clock, running out of doors.

Back we go sort and stack all over.

Tick tick tick goes the clock.

Upper Management arrives on scene. (Looks like they won't make the numbers tonite). Oh contrae. The power of a white shirt and tie is coming.

Viola, just like magic all those bad doors are now on cars heading up to paint.

And you know what always blew my mind?

When every day car customers were being asked what was wrong with U.S. made cars.

Most blamed the UAW assembler for poor workmanship and too high of wages.



And some people wonder why I have no love for upper management.

Just glad we were able to do as good a job as we could.

So happy that this is all in the past. Those business policy's would ruin a company if they tried it today.

Swapper...

What year did you start at Bel???

(Bet it was when Grace was singing, "One pill makes you larger...")

Quote:

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Seems like this day 11-11-68 was a huge day to make Hemi Blocks. Scott at one time you were writing down the casting dates of Hemi blocks are you still doing that. If so maybe we can create another post that people can add their hemi block casting on.

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Yes, and sure, I'll start a new post

Maybe we better take all this to a new forum. This was originally something about Hemi Blocks?

I'll start a new thread concerning casting numbers and other details.