Clutch Fork Color

[Gary Kemp]

Could someone tell me the correct finish for my '63 clutch fork? In N. Adams Resto. Guide they look like a silver cadmium type finish. The fork I have looks like raw steel (with a li'l bit-o-rust). Thanx.

[Joe L.]

Re: Clutch Fork Color

Gary-----

No plating or paint, at all, on 63 and 64-81 clutch forks, just bare carbon steel which usually rusts.

[Gary Kemp]

Re: Clutch Fork Color

Thanks Joe; looks like I've got it right, rust and all.

[John H.]

Re: Clutch Fork Color

Installed, it should show some orange overspray - it was in place when the engine/bellhousing was painted at Flint Engine; the rubber boot was installed at St. Louis and should not show any paint.

[David Roberson]

Re: Clutch Fork Color

Depending on the amount of coverage orange paint on the bellhousing, you could get away with painting the clutch fork with Chevrolet engine orange. The closest match (that I have found) to the original color/sheen engine orange paint is sold by quanta http://www.quantaproducts.com/

I researched this question and found that there was a lot of variation in the amount of paint coverage on the bellhousing - from no paint at all to complete coverage. Although I believe that the most widely accepted "norm" is to have 1-2 inch margin of overspray from the mounting flange back.

I opted to go with full coverage of my bellhousing. There ARE survivor examples with full orange bellhousing covers. I did this so that my clutch fork would not have an oxidized appearance. You can see pics of it at the following website...

http://www.1963vette.com/transmission.htm

If you have any problems with the above link, try going to the homepage www.1963vette.com and clicking on the link for "drivetrain" then click link "transmission, bellhousing & clutch"

Hope this helps!

David