Backing Plate and Cooling Fan Question

[Rick A.]

Folks,

In preparation of doing some "restoration" work on my 1963 Z06, I have a couple of questions I hope someone can answer.

1. Does anyone know if the backing plates were painted? Were the front ones painted differently than the back ones? And if so, were they black enamel, natural, or what? The reason I ask, Jack Podell had some at Carlisle, and the ones for the front appeared to be painted black enamel and the rear ones appeared to be a "silver" color. Want to be sure I do them right!
FYI - Jack was asking $1000 or $1500 each! He also had a pair of drums, with correct #'s, ($1500 each) but had the diameter size in the face, which I thought for correct drums the diameter size shouldn't be on the face!?

2.Does anyone know if the cooling fans were painted or were they a natural color?

[Mike E.]

Re: Backing Plate and Cooling Fan Question

Rick--
My experience is with 60-62 RPO cars rather than with 63's, but I've found that the fronts and backs were the same, and were painted semi-gloss black. The fans were a natural finish.
Jack has been carrying those around for a while--don't assume that the going price is anywhere close. With the hundreds/thousands of savvy Corvette people going past him, if those were anywhere close to a reasonable deal, someone would have bought them.

[Loren L.]

At least they use up space in the free

Driveline ad so that we don't have to read more drivel about his gasoline additive.....

[Verne Frantz]

Re: Backing Plate and Cooling Fan Question

Rick,
I had a Z06 long ago with all of it's original brake parts intact. I recall both backing plates were semi-black. The fans had a uniform thin coating of iron oxide (rust), so I doubt they were ever painted, or even plated with anything that would stand up to time. I saw no evidence of any paint on the drums either. You will obviously want to put something on them that looks like cast metal, but I'd use a high heat paint if you plan to run the metallic linings. Those buggers heat up enough to burn off regular enamel. (I know this from experience).

By the way, at this years GM Nats at Carlisle I saw a pair of front backing plates for $400. for both. I passed them up of course since I no longer have the car. Just thinking..........if I had just the brake parts from my car today, they'd be worth more than 3 times what I paid for the whole car in '78.

Verne.

[David Van Weele]

Re: Backing Plate and Cooling Fan Question

Rick

I still have my original backing plates, painted black semi gloss and the fans are just plain steel. I have some of these parts still in the black and yellow GM boxes bought in the 1970's. The drums I have purchased in the past have all been unpainted. I remember when I could buy them at the local dealer for about $40 each. Aw well, I invested in the stock market instead!

[DANNY PANTUSO]

Re: Backing Plate and Cooling Fan Question

HI RICK I`AM RESTORING A 63 Z06 I ALSO WAS HAVING A PROBLEM ABOUT BACKING PLATES, I CALL 2 WELL KNOWING Z06 PEOPLE THEY ARE ERIC GILL & JACK MURRAY THEY BOTH TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT & REAR BACKING PLATE ARE NATURAL STEEL, ALSO THE FANS & BACKING PLATES COVERS ,ARE ALSO NATURAL STEEL, I HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU OUT. DANNY #38266