Well I wouldnt call the Corvette engine assembler a true craftsman. Have you seen them put those things together? Looks like any morkey could do it. Not trying to diss the hard worker but they make it pretty simple for them. But I will say the corvette is a well designed car and the designers/engineers should be given more credit. On a side note when I was building my masterbath project I did sign the inside wall with name and year. I never plan on moving out, unless I strike the lottery but maybe down the road someday someone else will see it. Hopefully it is well built enough to where that time is so far down the road that the person sees it will think it is a neat piece of history.
Yes, I have seen them assemble them in person several times, and there is an on-line video:
I believe it is a case of they are so good at it they make it look easy. I do note that cylinder heads are provided to them with valves and springs already assembled and the pistons and connecting rods come as a unit, but the rest of the engine parts -- bearings, rings valve lifters, rocker arms and so on are installed by them. The assembly process is unique for engines in that one craftsperson assembles the engine from beginning to end as opposed to being at one work station all day. Yes they have the advantage of computer controlled, recorded and monitored wrenches, but that is simply the current technology used as quality control measures. They have enough confidence in their work to put their name on it, and that was my point.
Oh, and yes I have meet the man who built the engine in my car. They did not offer the option of me assembling the engine at the time I bought my car, or I would have done that as well.
