Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

Video of a "Trip Through the River Rouge Plant"



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa0PAg7FfMk


My apologies if someone already posted this, but I just watched this and found it fascinating

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

Don't ever apologize for posting something as valuable as that film. Definitely something for everyone, even if it's been seen before. Thank you.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

Very fascinating! I had not seen this before. Makes me appreciate all the hard work that went into these V8s to begin with. Thanks.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

Definitely worth seeing again and again. Appears to be made right around late '37 or early '38 when they switched from 21 to 24 stud V8's. Even saw a V8-60 in there.
Very nice !


Sal

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

It's definitely a great film.
The place was magnificent!! From raw materials to a finished car off the line in 28 hours or so.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

I was trying to figure that out, and it seemed to me that just about every time they showed an engine, it was of a different type! That explains it.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

I had not seen this before. Fun to see our V8 blocks getting cast. Very complicated work. Thanks for sharing this.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

Great one, hadn't seen it. At the engine test, 22.44 what was that tag under head bolt? Was it something taken off later on? At 29.40, I'd sure like to have that car transporter setup turned into a RV. Thanks for showing.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

I work in a manufacturing environment and have done so for the last 28 years and to see the automation FORD had from the 1930's is truly astounding.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

That tag can be better seen at 21.45. I can only speculate, but in my opinion, would have listed certain information peculiar to that particular engine for use at the run-in, or later at a QC Rework holding area.* Also, certain engines having running changes would be designated for use in chassis assembled locally, to enable the Engineering Department to keep an eye on them in while in service.

* Just as is done today on assembly lines of all kinds, a unit requiring rework is identified for attention later, rather than to hold up the line.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

Henry Ford was brilliant and the folks who "worked the line" earned their pay. Imagine lifting crankshafts all day. They made it look like they were lifting toothpicks.
Very inspirational to see what made America great. Just think. just a few years later and it was all converted to building bombers. Amazing.
OSHA wasn't around then.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

I like the truck pulling the lunch wagon at the 13:55 mark.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

Ok thanks, I looked back and see that now. Would make since too, and when you think of the number the assembler would have seen in a shift.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

Another good one on you tube is Harvest of the years.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

80,000 men working there.
The shift changes were at all different times in a 24 hour period to not cause congestion in the plant, parking lots, roads to and from the factory.
What a feat!

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

And a polishing table in the glass plant built to conform to the curvature of the earth.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

I watched it and was so enthralled I watched it again. I have been to the Museum and the Village and they are amazing, but seeing what was done there is mind boggling. In my little 2-3 man cabinetshop I get bored assembling 60 drawers and can't wait for a change of pace in the afternoon..... Crankshafts etc, etc for years on end. They truly were the 'Greatest Generation' and children of the depression who made this country what it is today. Much of what we enjoy today was forged by the people in this video. And I dare say their brothers on the GM and other assembly lines. (But the others outsourced their steel, glass and tires, etc) :) End of rant.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

What intrigues me is the carousel that machines the blocks they would have designed that way back in 29 ,out sourced I guess but the forward planning is amazing ,

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

I was making a remark about how the OTHER car makers did not have 'in house' glass, tires, etc. as Henry Ford did, That's all.

Re: Video of a "Trip through the River Rouge Plant"
 

That was great!
I was drooling over the stack of fresh V8 bare blocks!
Just wish I could have half a dozen of those.