C2 Steering Linkage Question

[Eugene B.]

Members,
I'll be working on steering linkage for the '65 soon. I'm trying to resolve a discrepancy between the Tripoli Chassis Restoration Guide and the '65 TIM & JG.

Joe states that tie-rod support arms, tie-rod sleeves, and tie-rod clamps are natural and unpainted.

JG says that "The steering linkage assembly including tie rod ends, relay rod, adjusting sleeves and clamps are painted semi-gloss black."

Assuming that the JG is correct, should the ends, sleeves, and clamps be painted as an assembly or separate pieces? It seems strange that the tie rod ends would be totally shot with paint. Over the tapers and rubber boots?

If painted as an assembly, I guess I can see over-spray on the threaded portions. What is the JG trying to tell me?

Thanks,
Gene

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 Steering Linkage Question

Gene,

My instinct tells me not to answer this question but you deserve and answer and I hope this clears up both Joe's book answer and the JG. Joe is correct in the fact that the steering linkage was natural and unpainted (until) it was assembled and on the chassis. The last thing GM did before the body drop was to paint everything not painted with an asphalt based paint and I use the word paint very loosely. This piant was very thin, painted quickly and would run around to the back side of the steering linkage and form drops on the back side.

SO, the unpainted linkage could be all black if the painter was slow, partially painted if the painter was fast or nearly nothing at all if the painter was on union scale.

Hope you get the picture here of a very black and sticky mess and a union paid worker probably looking forward to his shift being over or the next smoke break.

This answer is just like Joe's book and the JG. It leaves a lot to the interpetation of the restorer and one hopes that it leaves a lot to the guy who is judging the undercarriage.

Regards,

JR

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 Steering Linkage Question

Gene,

My instinct tells me not to answer this question but you deserve and answer and I hope this clears up both Joe's book answer and the JG. Joe is correct in the fact that the steering linkage was natural and unpainted (until) it was assembled and on the chassis. The last thing GM did before the body drop was to paint everything not painted with an asphalt based paint and I use the word paint very loosely. This piant was very thin, painted quickly and would run around to the back side of the steering linkage and form drops on the back side.

SO, the unpainted linkage could be all black if the painter was slow, partially painted if the painter was fast or nearly nothing at all if the painter was on union scale.

Hope you get the picture here of a very black and sticky mess and a union paid worker probably looking forward to his shift being over or the next smoke break.

This answer is just like Joe's book and the JG. It leaves a lot to the interpetation of the restorer and one hopes that it leaves a lot to the guy who is judging the undercarriage.

Regards,

JR

[Jack H.]

Plus....

In Noland Adams' book (Complete Corvette Restoration, Vol 2), you'll find photos in each model year section that were shot of the car's undercarriage at the Milford Proving grounds (document 'before' test condition?). They're in black & white, but if you closely look at various undercarriage items (e.g. the front sway bar) you'll see black 'globs' of coating on a sporadic basis. This is what's being discussed here and older versions of the JG books referred to this as a 'mitted' finish....

[Jack H.]

Plus....

In Noland Adams' book (Complete Corvette Restoration, Vol 2), you'll find photos in each model year section that were shot of the car's undercarriage at the Milford Proving grounds (document 'before' test condition?). They're in black & white, but if you closely look at various undercarriage items (e.g. the front sway bar) you'll see black 'globs' of coating on a sporadic basis. This is what's being discussed here and older versions of the JG books referred to this as a 'mitted' finish....

[Eugene B.]

Re: Plus....

JR and Jack,
Thanks to both of you. The JG was giving me the notion that the steering items were painted by a contractor shipping the parts to St. Louis. Kind of like trailing arms and front control arms.

I have the Noland Adams book and will check it out. So if I correctly understand the two of you, I do not paint any of the steering gear assembly. Just take care of it with black out paint, if I choose.

Thanks again, gents. If I wouldn't have asked, I would have done a dumb thing.

Best regards,
Gene

[Eugene B.]

Re: Plus....

JR and Jack,
Thanks to both of you. The JG was giving me the notion that the steering items were painted by a contractor shipping the parts to St. Louis. Kind of like trailing arms and front control arms.

I have the Noland Adams book and will check it out. So if I correctly understand the two of you, I do not paint any of the steering gear assembly. Just take care of it with black out paint, if I choose.

Thanks again, gents. If I wouldn't have asked, I would have done a dumb thing.

Best regards,
Gene

[Eugene B.]

Re: PS

Gents,
Sorry, but I forgot to ask about the power steering hydraulic cylinder and the PS control valve. Are they like the rest of the steering linkage previously discussed, or were they painted semi-gloss black before installation?

Thanks again,
Gene

[Eugene B.]

Re: PS

Gents,
Sorry, but I forgot to ask about the power steering hydraulic cylinder and the PS control valve. Are they like the rest of the steering linkage previously discussed, or were they painted semi-gloss black before installation?

Thanks again,
Gene

[Joe R.]

Re: PS

Gene,

The power steering cylinder was painted gloss black by the manufacturer and the power steering control valve was semi-gloss and painted before it was assembled and shipped.

Regards,

JR

[Joe R.]

Re: PS

Gene,

The power steering cylinder was painted gloss black by the manufacturer and the power steering control valve was semi-gloss and painted before it was assembled and shipped.

Regards,

JR

[Jack H.]

Re: PS

FYI--sometime later on (mid-late Shark era and in service replacement form) the hydraulic actuator would be painted stark raving steel grey with originals having small, red, ink stamped date codes and inspectors marks on 'em....

[Jack H.]

Re: PS

FYI--sometime later on (mid-late Shark era and in service replacement form) the hydraulic actuator would be painted stark raving steel grey with originals having small, red, ink stamped date codes and inspectors marks on 'em....