This YouTube Video Shows a Classic Auto Assembly Line

Automotive assembly lines sure have changed, I didn’t see one robot! They were pretty advanced though considering this was in the 60’s. One of the most automated tools I saw in this car assembly line video was the spot welder for welding the body panels together. The spot welder was kind of similar to the Miller spot welder that we sell.

Metal Stamping.  The huge metal stamping press, for creating and shaping the metal body panels is just cool. Assembly line processes have always been a curiosity of mine. I worked on cars for years and have found myself asking, How  did they do that?  Thanks to video sites like YouTube, it’s easy to have many questions answered.

7,000 Gallons of Paint.  I like the fact that these VW cars were submersed completely in paint. I know that when the Ford Mustang was built in the 60’s they were certainly not dipped. My 1967 Convertible Ford Mustang Cowl Repair was needed mainly because the body wasn’t dipped or rust proofed in any way on the backside of the body panel. That was a nightmare auto repair for me, since I’m more of a mechanical repair guy and not a body or paint man. 

What’s Old is New Again.  Who knows Mexico and maybe Cuba could possibly be using this assembly line footage in their VW manufacturing plants as a new employee training film!

OK, finally Calvan has released their version of the OTC 303-1203. The Calvan is pictured on the left and the Rotunda is on the right. Calvan actually did a very nice job, improving on the Ford design and including a storage case. And they even upgraded the thread tap by adding badly needed length to it to reach down in the spark plug recess of the cylinder head. Still no word about if Calvan is going to tackle the production of a lower cost equivelant to the 303-1398 porcelain remover. We can special order the 303-1398, but with the price around $700 we have refused to stock them. Hopefully someone will figure out an easier, less expensive way to remove the porcelain without the over-priced Rotunda 303-1398. Early TSB’s from Ford said to remove the porcelain with needle nose vice grips. I’ve also talked to tech’s that chip away at the porcelain until it can be removed piece by piece. Mustangs, F150’s, Vans and Rv’s are affected, any Ford with a 4.6 or 5.4 could have this problem. If anyone has found an effective way to remove the porcelain, please comment. At least now we have a nice alternative in the Calvan 39100 to the Rotunda 303-1203.