65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!

Drivetrain => Differentials, Axles & Brakes => Topic started by: cwmcobra on May 11, 2020, 12:59:42 PM

Title: Decal info needed
Post by: cwmcobra on May 11, 2020, 12:59:42 PM
I'm thinking of having some decals made for the springs and shocks on my restoration.  Does anyone have any original decals available to confirm sizes, fonts and colors?  I have all the part numbers and codes, but don't know about the other details.  Looking for info for Front Springs (right and left are different), rear springs, front shocks and rear shocks. 

Also, any evidence that axle assembly code decals were put on the rear brake drum?  If so info on size, color, etc. would be helpful.

Third, have you ever seen a decal on the frame with a code and part number?  If so, same info needed.

I'm conversing with Don Lightfoot and he is able to make the decals, but only in the fonts and sizes used on the 69 Chevy models.  I'd like to confirm if they would be similar to what Buick used.  Thanks Dan H. for the lead on the wiper motor decals!

 :cheers2:

Chuck
Title: Re: Decal info needed - UPDATE
Post by: BuickGS65 on January 28, 2025, 08:53:47 PM
Chuck & Others -

I've done a bit of research, and here are my findings:

- Each of the brands (Olds, Buick, Pontiac) sometimes shared part numbers, and are easy to spot based on the first few digits of the part number. (e.g. Pontiac part #'s start with a "9", so those were developed/engineered by Pontiac.)

- The 65 Buick Assembly Manual (unless you have additional pages) is sparse when it comes to labels & decals. However, the 65 Olds Assembly Manual has a lot more information on labels, tags, etc. Available here: https://autohistorypreservationsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/1965-Oldsmobile-A-Body-Assembly-Manual-Product-Information-Manual-PIM-PG-1-365.pdf (https://autohistorypreservationsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/1965-Oldsmobile-A-Body-Assembly-Manual-Product-Information-Manual-PIM-PG-1-365.pdf)
So if you are able to match part numbers with Olds (or another brand), you can confirm some of the decals/labels/tags. Flip thru the Olds Manual - cool stuff

COIL SPRING LABELS
I've completed all the research and full details are here: https://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,2177.75.html (https://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,2177.75.html)
CONFIRMED CORRECT Coil spring tags now made by DrDecal.com

FRAME LABEL
Note - frame labels are installed upside-down! The Olds assembly manual has details on the frame label itself.

- 65 Skylark - frame part # is 978502. I do not see a frame code chart in my '65 Buick Assembly Manual(?) so I turned to the Olds Manual - (see pg 112 of Olds Assembly Manual) and there is a shared match for a 65 Olds model, so the code - as confirmed by the Olds Manual is "PA". So the frame label for a 65 Skylark should read "PA 9780502" ... CONFIRMED CORRECT

- 65 Gran Sport - frame part # is 9780911, which is shared with the 1965 GTO convertible. However, I cannot find the 2 letter code for this part number anywhere. I searched all the Pontiac forums with no luck - did you ever find the right code for the label?

SHOCK LABELS
Shocks had a 2 letter sticker on the shock. I've only been able to "confirm" 1 shock.  Here is my research:
- Front Shocks:
          Skylark part # is 3186738, but the 65 Buick Assembly Manual shows a different part # of 3178155 (Chevrolet part #) with a code of "BM". Any idea of the discrepancy? Was there a subsequent engineering update/assembly manual update that would then match the '65 Part Numbers book? Were you able to confirm anything? Part number in the catalog vs. number stamped in the part?
                           UPDATE: looks like the assembly manual numbers "might" be the number stamped into the part itself and not the actual part number. In the Chevy parts book (link: http://www.gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=77386 (http://www.gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=77386)  Chevy lists part number 3166578 as being STAMPED with # 3178155 (i.e. the number listed in the Buick assembly manual). That to me indicates that perhaps the assembly manual shock numbers could be the numbers stamped on the part itself, and not the actual part number listed in the '65 Buick parts book. 
         Gran Sport - part # is 3186762, but the 65 Buick Assembly Manual shows a different part # of 3186977 with a code of "GB". Any idea of the discrepancy? Was there a subsequent engineering update/assembly manual update that would then match the '65 Part Numbers book? Were you able to confirm anything?Part number in the catalog vs. number stamped in the part?
- Rear Shocks:
         Skylark part # is 3186949, but the 65 Buick Assembly Manual shows a different part # of 3182336 with a code of "DA". Any idea of the discrepancy? Was there a subsequent engineering update/assembly manual update that would then match the '65 Part Numbers book?Were you able to confirm anything?Part number in the catalog vs. number stamped in the part?
         Gran Sport - part # is 3186978, which matches the 65 Buick Assembly Manual, with a code of "GC". So the rear shock label for a 65 Gran Sport should read "GC"... CONFIRMED ACCURATE

OTHER LABELS / INSTRUCTIONAL TAGS?
Any other possible decals we should be researching - labels on other parts? (e.g was there a tag on the parking brake cable? Steering column assembly?) What about instructional items on the dash knobs? (For example, I have an original 65 a/c dash instruction tag that might be a good item to reproduce). Was there a premium fuel tag on the dash like other brands? Radiator hose ID stamps (referenced in 65 Buick assembly manual)?
Title: Re: Decal info needed
Post by: gssizzler on January 29, 2025, 03:19:22 AM
Wow Dan what an undertaking! What a great project , thanks! The speedo clusters have a decals on them! The jack,  base and horn to! Main harness/ fuse box!
Title: Re: Decal info needed
Post by: BuickGS65 on January 29, 2025, 12:02:32 PM
The jack, base and horn too!

Do you have pictures of the original decals on the jack parts?
Title: Re: Decal info needed
Post by: BuickGS65 on January 29, 2025, 07:58:40 PM
Updated my post above with additional thoughts/research for shocks.

Please post any pictures you have of any assembly-line original deals and markings!

Thanks.
Title: Re: Decal info needed
Post by: BuickGS65 on February 11, 2025, 01:44:15 PM
bump
Title: Re: Decal info needed
Post by: BuickGS65 on February 20, 2025, 12:33:52 PM
Updated my post above with additional thoughts/research for shocks.

Please post any pictures you have of any assembly-line original deals and markings!

Thanks.

Anyone?  :dontknow:
Title: Re: Decal info needed
Post by: BuickGS65 on March 25, 2025, 10:12:02 PM
Here's one from my archive... I THINK this was only for a/c cars, and NOT heater-only cars??? Anyone know for certain?

Hung from the climate control levers.

Happy to provide a nice scan if anyone want to make some.



Title: Re: Decal info needed - UPDATE
Post by: BuickGS65 on March 30, 2025, 06:00:26 PM

COIL SPRING LABELS
I've completed all the research and full details are here: https://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,2177.75.html (https://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,2177.75.html)
CONFIRMED CORRECT Coil spring tags now made by DrDecal.com

FRAME LABEL
Note - frame labels are installed upside-down! The Olds assembly manual has details on the frame label itself.

- 65 Skylark - frame part # is 978502. I do not see a frame code chart in my '65 Buick Assembly Manual(?) so I turned to the Olds Manual - (see pg 112 of Olds Assembly Manual) and there is a shared match for a 65 Olds model, so the code - as confirmed by the Olds Manual is "PA". So the frame label for a 65 Skylark should read "PA 9780502" ... CONFIRMED CORRECT

SHOCK LABELS
- Rear Shocks:
         Gran Sport - part # is 3186978, which matches the 65 Buick Assembly Manual, with a code of "GC". So the rear shock label for a 65 Gran Sport should read "GC"... CONFIRMED ACCURATE

1965 Skylark frame decal NOW AVAILABLE at DrDecal.com item # 425B

1965 Skylark Gran Sport rear shock decals NOW AVAILABLE at DrDecal.com # 425C
Title: Re: Decal info needed
Post by: BuickGS65 on April 17, 2025, 12:42:38 PM
Here's one from my archive... I THINK this was only for a/c cars, and NOT heater-only cars??? Anyone know for certain?

Hung from the climate control levers.

Happy to provide a nice scan if anyone want to make some.

Bump... Was this hang tag or ALL cars or only ones WITH A/C?
Title: Re: Decal info needed
Post by: BuickGS65 on June 02, 2025, 03:29:16 PM
Here's one from my archive... I THINK this was only for a/c cars, and NOT heater-only cars??? Anyone know for certain?

Hung from the climate control levers.

Happy to provide a nice scan if anyone want to make some.

bump... Anyone know if this hang tag was for (A) only a/c cars or (B) ALL cars?

Older post for reference: https://65gs.com/board/index.php/topic,4306
Title: Re: Decal info needed
Post by: Loren At 65GS on June 02, 2025, 06:44:23 PM
Hey Dan, I recently acquired the Shuman convertible. It is a survivor GS. It does not have A/C. In the many pieces of memorabilia of this car is the same tag. It looks as though this tag is common to either A/C equipped cars and non- A/C cars.

  Loren
Title: Re: Decal info needed
Post by: BuickGS65 on June 03, 2025, 11:19:13 AM
Hey Dan, I recently acquired the Shuman convertible. It is a survivor GS. It does not have A/C. In the many pieces of memorabilia of this car is the same tag. It looks as though this tag is common to either A/C equipped cars and non- A/C cars.

  Loren

Congrats on the new addition to your fleet!

Is there any other documentation (e.g. other interior hang tags, starting instructions? etc.) to share?

I am looking into possibly reproducing these hang tags - keep everyone posted.
Title: Re: Decal info needed
Post by: Loren At 65GS on June 04, 2025, 04:45:46 AM
Nothing yet, Dan. I haven't finished going through the good-sized box of documents that came with the car.

  Loren