radiator hose marking question

[Mike E.]

I certainly understand the 7-digit part stamping. I also understand the reason for the stripe down the hose--so the worker could properly align it. But what do the other two-letter stampings mean? This particular hose is a factory original on a 30k-mile 67 SB. In other words, what do the "AU" and the "TQ" mean? I've seen the "AU" on other hoses for other years and applications, by the way. Are those simply internal coding of some sort? And if so, do we have any idea what they mean?
Thanks in advance.
radiator hose--lower (2).jpgradiator hose--lower (3).jpgradiator hose--lower (4).jpg

[Terry M.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

I certainly understand the 7-digit part stamping. I also understand the reason for the stripe down the hose--so the worker could properly align it. But what do the other two-letter stampings mean? This particular hose is a factory original on a 30k-mile 67 SB. In other words, what do the "AU" and the "TQ" mean? I've seen the "AU" on other hoses for other years and applications, by the way. Are those simply internal coding of some sort? And if so, do we have any idea what they mean?
Thanks in advance.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]68621[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]68622[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]68623[/ATTACH]

I am pretty surew AU is a manufacturer code for GoodYear. I am not sure about TQ, bit I expect it is also a manufacturers ID code.

[Robert G.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

How about a broadcast code? I have a 1969 chev broadcast sheet and it notes upper and lower radiator hoses as UC and UD.

[Gary C.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

Mike,

AFAIK the Hose manufacturer identification codes were colored yarn inserted in the rubber per the Rubber Manufacturer's Association.

The blue print for 1957 radiator hose does not specify a manufacturer's logo or marking as required.

Gary
....

[Mike E.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

How about a broadcast code? I have a 1969 chev broadcast sheet and it notes upper and lower radiator hoses as UC and UD.

Robert,
Can you tell me/us more about the broadcast sheet and what all it consists of? I'd appreciate that.
Mike

[Robert G.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

It's for a full-sized chevrolet. Are you sure you are interested? It has the production date, vin, key codes, ident, body, color, etc. In total there are 142 different numbered items.

[Mike E.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

I can't speak for others, but I'd like to see it. If for no other reason, to compare it to the one I have for the 71 Chevelle I bought new.

[Robert G.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

DSC00943a.jpgDSC00945a.jpgHere are a couple of photos. I had to split it in two to get it readable and of decent size.

[Ara G.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

Mike, you say SB 67, but don't indicate if it's a base motor 300 or L79 350. The base motor rad hose was 154 and the L79 ended in 156. Your hose doesn't look like it ends with 154 or 156. Just curious. I have a wonderful picture at home on my ipad of a Bowtie 67 L79 and from what I remember off the top of my head the lettering is configured differently than the hose you photographed. I will look tonight and get back with all of you. I mention the part numbers to you as you should make sure first of all if it's the correct hose to begin with for the car. Just my two cents...Thanks. ARA

[Mike E.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

Ara,
It looks a lot like 3887155 to me, which is the correct lower hose according to the JG. And it makes no difference whether base motor or L79, that's why I didn't differentiate. I generally do my homework before I post and ask a question.

[Mark E.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

...what do the "AU" and the "TQ" mean? I've seen the "AU" on other hoses for other years and applications, by the way. Are those simply internal coding of some sort? And if so, do we have any idea what they mean?
Thanks in advance.

I'm pretty sure the AU means golden fairy dust was applied to the inside of the hose for off road use.

[Michael M.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

How about a broadcast code? I have a 1969 chev broadcast sheet and it notes upper and lower radiator hoses as UC and UD.

I believe Robert is correct. From my days working at the Fremont plant, I can tell you that just about everything was identified with a two-letter code for the assembler, and I’m sure St. Louis was the same. The broadcast sheet called out the codes of components based on the car’s options – the intent was to make assembly “fool-proof.” That’s why you see two-letter stamps/labels for everything from engines to alternators.

Not Corvette, but here is a pic of the earliest broadcast (this one is GMAD) I could find - '72 Monte Carlo from Van Nuys. You can see all the two-letter codes and some numeric - usually the last three of the part number.

[Mike E.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

Any idea when those codes began? In other words, what would the assembly line worker have had in 1967, for example, to reference the two-letter code?

[Michael M.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

Any idea when those codes began? In other words, what would the assembly line worker have had in 1967, for example, to reference the two-letter code?

I can't speak definitively for St. Louis (maybe JohnZ can chime in), but Fremont was using a broadcast sheet in '65 when I started working there. We were a BOP plant (Buick Olds Pontiac Assembly Division) at the time and went under GMAD (General Motors Assembly Division) control sometime later in the '60's. There was some variation across the assembly divisions but all used some form of broadcast/build sheet/manifest/run sheet to define build components since the early '60's or before. So I'm sure St. Lewis was using some form of broadcast sheet in '67.

A favorite saying on the engine dress line used to be "if all else fails, read the manifest" in the context of wrong parts being assembled on a specific engine.

[Richard M.]

Re: radiator hose marking question

Interesting thread Mike, et al.....Some great info all are sharing.

Some more examples of the 2 letter codes. These from a '63 A/C Power-Everything convertible I found a few years ago, but wasn't able to acquire.

Lower AU
80-picture_php_pictureid_135654_944a214a087956480c695265ba146ef31d88c798.jpg

Upper AY
80-picture_php_pictureid_135653_d4c96816fb1b3269c3bd07b0537f589eee6f29e7.jpg 80-picture_php_pictureid_135655_e7001bd0e45446f17e239322a598847df9aec6f6.jpg

The find.....
80-picture_php_pictureid_135683_bc2d389321a362dce39113285d84d9f890cd9cef.jpg 80-picture_php_pictureid_135684_f6d56a58236fbff5085ca02400218d112c9b6ca1.jpg 80-picture_php_pictureid_135664_ee03dc54db522f8931759aa2c18fc25fc0a18ee6.jpg 80-picture_php_pictureid_135659_809e123de31c5cb6d8a66fa92e3861ac8b1253a1.jpg

I also have a (original-I think)lower hose from a 67k mile '63 coupe we owned. I'll post a few pics of after I find it in my pile of junk. IIRC it has a AU code on it too.