At a local judging session last week end, I noticed that the spindles on a -66 car had been painted orange (Chevy orange) I had heard of this being but couldn`t remember why it was done. While cleaning the suspension on my car this weekend I noticed my spindes (-66 also) were painted the same color.Anybody know why and when this was done. Thanks, Pete
-
-
Re: Orange Spindles
Peter,
Those are inspection marks placed during the assembly of your car. If you look carefully, I think you will find that there was no effort to completely or carefully cover the spindle. The extent of coverage probably depended on the inspector. I did not know mid-year spindles had the marks, but GM was still using orange on spindles in 1970.
If you plan to disassemble the car during a frame-off restoration, be sure to take plenty of pictures to replicate these markings if they are to be removed during clean-up. As you clean your chassis, go slowly with mineral spirits; you will probably find other marks.
Chuck Sangerhausen -
Re: Orange Spindles
Orange paint marks on spindles & spindle holders were present as far back as C1 production.
Varooom!
CLICK HEREComment
-
Re: Orange Spindles
Some of those I have seen have been a little more than marks, they are nearly completely covered.Comment
-
Re: Orange Spindles
During our last Winter meet, several members commented on my '67 orange spindles while the car was up on the portable lift for advanced judging classes. (Thanks goes to Roy for selecting my car for this honor. I enjoyed seeing it from below again.) While restoring the car, we photographed all markings everywhere before and during cleaning processes. I suggest cleaning with a mild soap first to remove plain old dirt. Take time to really study the parts and determine extent of paint used (generally some paint will remain closer to the machined part of the spindles). My understanding is that spindles were dipped almost always in '67 up to very near the machined areas. NCRS and Bloomington judges I've spoken with all support this. Check Noland's mid-year restoration manual also. Maybe it was to let the assembly worker know that end went down.Comment
-
Re: Orange Spindles
Kent, I was there when your car was up on the lift, and I wanted to thank you again. I definitely benefitted from that experience.
Brandon KormanComment
-
Re: Orange Spindles
I believe pain on the spindles was used either at the spindle fabrication plant or St. Louis as a indication that the spindle or steering knuckle passed a critical test. Either after a critical machining operation at the supplier, or an indication of proper torque of a fastener (ball joints) at the assembly plant. This idea is still used in plants today. Look at the tires on your new car...small yellow or red sparay marks on the side of the tire indicate OK torque on all lug nuts which are tightened simultaneously. J.D in NYC #19684Comment
-
Re: Orange Spindles
John,
Like you, I concluded that the marks probably represented inspection of fasteners for proper torque.
After they were cleaned up, my spindles were covered with marks. I assumed the orange marks were made on the assembly line because they appeared hastily applied to the outboard side of the upper spindle using a small mop, brush or dauber, and had vertical runs. On the opposite (inboard) side, one spindle had an olive green mark across the upper spindle, and the other spindle had a lavender mark in the same location. Both spindles had white crayon marks across the bottom (outboard side).
Chuck SangerhausenComment
-
Re: Orange Spindles
Brandon,
The pleasure was all mine. I hope my experiences will benefit others wishing to restore their cars as others have shared with me.
There were other inspection marks besides the orange spindles which we photographed as many of you may have seen in our albulm. The spindles were definitely dipped and may have had other marks on them which wore off over the years of normal road use.
I would enjoy seeing the underside of many other "restored" Corvettes any time.
KentComment
Comment