64 strut rods

[Fred DeNote]

I am looking for the correct finish on the rear strut rods on my 1964. I just purchased a new set from Paragon. They came Black. I was told natural steel or cast was more correct. Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

[Patrick H.]

Re: 64 strut rods

Black what?

If they're painted, you may find the correct finish underneath.
If they're brand new and fresh castings, you may just have dark casting slag on there, which would be correct. Originals were more of a dark bluish/blackish/gray color. I have been told that new reproduction rods have this correct finish.

Patrick

[William C.]

Re: 64 strut rods

Well, is actually a forging, not a casting, so cast blast is definately out. The actual correct (hard to duplicate) condition is that of a forged part that has cooled and acquired oxides during the cooling/quench process that are not unifor oeith in distribution over the surface, nor degree of coverage from part to part. Black to bluish black oxides with a lighter shade of base metal in some areas. At least part of the strut rods may also carry paint from the procedure used to blackout the undershde of the mufflers, so have at it. Definately not "bare steel" natural, and absolutely not Cast Blast!

[Dick W.]

Re: 64 strut rods

Some people have had success using gun bluing getting a finish close to original.

[Alan Drake]

Re: 64 black out finish??

Now just to add some confusion on the subject (at least I am). In 63 the entire rear assembly on some models were 100% black (diff, struts, 1/2 shafts, arm assembly, support, and shock support - perhaps included shock also which seem to be black anyways)this was definitely done and pictures are available to support such. Also note Michael Hanson has some excellent knowledge on the assembly proecss of the rear assembly.

Now for my point; (Do not accept the following as fact yet!)

It appears that some 64 cars were also painted 100% black and the JG also seems to ref such. For example my Mar64 had a black Diff (not natural), many other parts of the rear assembly were also black. Look at Noland Adams page 241.
It seems to me that as time went on in the C2 production, less and less parts of the rear assembly were painted black to save/cut production time. I'm still gathering evidence to determine when all black rear assemblies were possible.

[John H.]

Re: 64 black out finish??

Alan -

I was told by George Barlos in 1967 (St. Louis Process Engineer, now deceased) that the chassis blackout of the rear suspension subassembly prior to installation on the frame was cancelled for the 1965 model year by Engineering due to concerns about contaminating the surfaces of the disc brake rotors and pads with the blackout paint.

[Wayne M.]

Here's some from Jan'64 car stored since '68

Again, that rear suspension of mine (bought it for the diff; turns out it's a mine of information on all other components).

I would say this is black paint (enamel ? -- varsol doesn't take it off). Like Bill C. says, the exposed metal has a blue-ish tint under daylight. I am surprised the metal surface is so smooth -- would'a expected something like other forgings (ie. trailing arm spindle bearing supports).