Fresh Air / Shaker Seals

[69BFan]

Did the assembly line shaker and fresh air seals as found on the TA/AAR base plates have the part numbers ink stamped onto the seal?  I have seen several seals showing the part number and "Made in Canada" ink stamped onto them, but have never examined an original survivor car to determine that they came in that  fashion.  My thinking is that an over the counter piece for replacement would be much more likely be stamped for identification purposes where the assembly line piece would not show any identifying stamp markings.  Thanks for any input onto the subject!!!

[mccannix]

Richard
I was told  Fram was initially told to use the Made in Canada stamp on the seal with part number 3418658 on their completed assemblies that were shipped to Hamtramk in bedsteds of 60.
I was told that it was for identification purposes being transported from Canada to the US, so I would take that to believe early production cars may have had the ink stamp on their seal.
How many were actually stamped is questionable.
Shortly afterwards Fram began shipping the assemblies in their Air Cleaner Division boxes stating Made In Canada so there was no need to stamp a seal.
You are correct in that all over the counter seals had the ink stamp

[69BFan]

Terry,
So from what your posting, the very early cars may have initially had the stamping applied to the seal.  Later in the production runs, Fram just packed a quantity into a shipping box of seals and printed the box with the necessary information so that it was no longer needed on each and every seal for the assembly line pieces.  That would make sense.  I have a source of supposedly an original seal that was removed due to its condition and I can use it to produce a stamp for the seal.  That way, we can offer the customer the opportunity to decide which they would rather have.

Again a HUGE THANKS for your guidance and education!!
Richard

[mccannix]

Richard
That is along the right track.
The initial units were shipped completly assembled to Hamtramk assembly, with the various nameplates, and with seals applied.
Somewere there had to be a visible Made In Canada stamp, therefore the seal was used for that.
I was told they were shipped in bedsteds of 60.
Shortly thereafter, likely because the units were loose and they may have been marked or damaged, it was decided they be boxed.
Here is one of the big boxes I got at Fram that these units were put into for shipping.
End of box flap says Contents Made in Canada
Because of script on the box it was no longer a requirement that a stamp be used anywhere, so no more stamps on the seal.
So some early cars may have a stamped seal,,,how many is anyones guess

[69BFan]

Terry,
Awesome information.  At this point, it seems that it would be more practical to not stamp the majority of them.  The stamps are relatively inexpensive, so we can offer that service at a slight surcharge.
Thanks,
Richard

[mccannix]

Regarding the seal, there were a few different stamps on the seal over their duration.
Shown are a couple NOS seals.
The top seal stamp has a different font and is actually a shade taller than the other production run seals.
Font is larger and number is closer up to Made in Canada part.
I was fortunate enough to get the complete showpiece 440-6 base, adapter and seal unit out of Frams huge showcase window when they ceased operations.
I missed the red scoop assembly by an hour
All, including their Ford and GM air cleaners they manufactured were in this display so everything was perfect, and with the 440-6 assembly I got, the seal had this top style stamp.
The bottom seal pictured is the more common, always seen stamp.
NOS stamped seals were boxed in these boxes.
The problem with finding an NOS boxed seal is they have been folded twice and shoved in the box, resulting in creases in the rubber that can almost never come out.
Many years later when Chrylser started re-issuing the seals, they put them in bags which is the way you find the later re-release seals.
Great idea to offer the seal plain or stamped at customers request.

[Floyd]

I won't take this too far off topic, but here's a pic of a pretty large "MADE IN CANADA" stamp on an NOS AAR/TA air cleaner.  It too came in the box and I doubt those creases in the seal will ever come out.  I probably missed an opportunity by leaving in the box until last year.  I've had it about 20 years and might have made a little more headway had I taken it out a bit sooner.

[69BFan]

@Floyd does there appear to be any indications that a part number or any other identification marks / labeling was present on that particular seal?

[mccannix]

Floyd
Thats the most common stamp I too have seen on some TA/AAR bases, no number with it.
Here's one of mine.
They used all kinds of different stamps at Fram...here's a few more...and the classic 'mistake' stamp where some employee rolled the numbers up backwards and stamped a shaker 4 barrel base.
I'd bet there is no stamp on Floyds seal because the base carries the identifying Made in Canada.

[Floyd]

Terry, you are correct, no part number or "MADE IN CANADA" stamp on the seal mounted to the NOS air cleaner.

Now, can you tell me what this seal was supposed to fit?  It is much shorter than a shaker seal and appears to be 3-4 inches too short when laid out against the AAR air cleaner.  It is NOS and has part number 3577462 stamped on it.

Is that the right number for AAR/TA?  Were they so tight that you have to stretch the crap out of them to get them on? 

[Floyd]

Pics of stamps on two different shaker seals.

[mccannix]

That is the right number for the TA/AAR seal and yes you do have to stretch them on that base more so than an adapter ring seal.
They always look too short off the base
Best is to have a bare base to try it on.
I have this Hemi TA base which obviously uses the same seal,
and it is tight but not overly.

[Floyd]

Thanks Terry - I was starting to wonder if it was some type of unicorn part😀