63 manual trans inspection / dust cover

[Rick Tucker]

I recently purchases an inspection/dust cover for my 63 convertible (it was missing). It is an oriqinal GM part with bolts. The piece is currenly black. Does it need to be painted engine orange, and what about the bolts.

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 manual trans inspection / dust cover

Rick-----

I presume that you are refering to the bellhousing-mounted, sheet metal cover. All of the SERVICE covers are painted black. The originals used in PRODUCTION were bare metal. They got painted Chevrolet orange when the engine assembly was painted. However, the painting was incomplete and, usually, the some portion of the cover which is behind the oil pan didn't get painted and was, thus, bare steel.

Two options for you:

1) paint the entire cover with Chevrolet orange and assume that your engine was one of those that, randomly, got full coverage of the cover. I'm sure that some did when the painter was enthusiastic;

2) strip the cover of the black paint, paint the bare cover with satin finish clearcoat, and then carelessly paint the peripheral areas of the cover with Chevrolet orange, leaving some bare area behind the engine.

Which would I do? Why, option #1, of course.

The attaching bolts for the cover were indented head 1/4-20 X 5/8", Usually, they have an "L" or "EL" headmarking. These are the same bolts used for most of the oil pan attachment points and for the water pump rear cover from about 1966+.

One other point of interest: the cover that you have is likely GM #354497. This is the current SERVICE cover for '383'/'403' bellhousing applications (like yours should be). This cover has 2 "tangs" which are designed to engage the rear oil pan seal lip and prevent the cover from distorting and contacting the rear of the flywheel. The original cover used on your car, GM #3788422, did not have these tangs.

Is it worth trying to locate an original-style cover for "originality". Well, I can tell you this: I wouldn't even CONSIDER using an original style cover UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. The "tangs" are a GREAT, FUNCTIONAL improvement.

Also, for those that are interested, the cover for '444'/'621' bellhousings (14" flywheel apps) is GM #3843943. Original versions of this cover used for C2s and C3s, to some point, did not have the tangs. Later C3 PRODUCTION and SERVICE had the tangs added, although the part number did not change. Would I use an original style 3843943 cover? Not on your life! I'll bet you guessed that, though.