Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

[John S.]

I have a new exhaust system from Corvette Central and before installing was going to paint it black.
A previous thread discussed this issue in great detail with no resolution.

I plan on having the car judged and wanted to ask if the picture on page 73 from Noland Adams "Complete Corvette Restoration & Tech Guide Vol 2" could be used as evidence during the judging.
Should I leave it unpainted until an updated Judging Manual (any idea when) comes out or paint it black?

Any recommendations on paint?

[Jaime G.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

In my opinion, leave it unpainted. If you must, paint the mufflers only.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

I would do what you want. Aluminized exhaust gets a standard deduction of 25%, so you could paint it pink and get the same credit. Go with black all the way just like St. Louis did.

[Michael G.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

I don't think you're going to gain any points by painting it...

I haven't heard of any pending revisions to the manual, it underwent a major update a couple of years ago...

[Joe R.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

One of the people responsible for blackout at St. Louis was interviewed several years ago at the Joplin Regional.
He stated "I was told to blackout anything that was not already painted."

The frames were right side up. He painted from the top and NOT under!

The top of the exhaust, axle shafts, mufflers, etc. etc. were painted and the blackout ran around and under with drips.

That has been demonstrated hundreds of times with original parts.

JR

[Michael W.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

Should I leave it unpainted until an updated Judging Manual (any idea when) comes out or paint it black?

Depends partly on whether you want to restore the car to resemble the way GM did it, or conversely the way the JG states. The next factor is getting a judging team that follows the book no matter what or uses their own knowledge.

You have control over the first decision but little over the second. I'd approach the judging chair in advance and get his thoughts in writing.

[Michael J.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

I had mine blacked out when it was restored under there. Yes, I lose some points (usually my heat shields are deducted since they are painted), but to me it is worth it to be correct and as delivered from the factory.

[Bob J.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

I had mine blacked out when it was restored under there. Yes, I lose some points (usually my heat shields are deducted when painted), but to me it is worth it to be correct and as delivered from the factory.

Good job........sad more people don't do it right instead of following the incorrect JG.
Bob J

[Joe R.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

Good job........sad more people don't do it right instead of following the incorrect JG.
Bob J

Bob,

If the judging manual is incorrect, why has it not been corrected. Everybody that follows 63's has known this fact for the last 30 plus years.
Is there someone that refuses to correct the judging manual for the 1963's?
The National Judging Chairman needs to be alerted to this fact!
Done I hope!

JR

[James W.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

John,

If you are going to have the car flight judged and don't want a point deduct, apply some black out paint to the tops and the outer sides of the muffler cases with as many runs as you can stand. I received a point deduct at the recent NCRS National Convention for no black out on the mufflers of my January 1964 produced Corvette convertible.


Regards,

James West

[John S.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

Thanks to all for your ongoing comments.
I will do the tops as James suggests.
Would the paint be a "barbeque" black heat paint?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

I received a point deduct at the recent NCRS National Convention for no black out on the mufflers of my January 1964 produced Corvette convertible.

Although most of us judges ignore this, the NCRS Judging Reference Manual specifically spells out a standard 25% deduction for aluminized exhaust system and a 50% deduction for stainless systems. As a standardized deduction these are the ONLY deductions that can be taken. As a result it is an error when we judges deduct for overpray or lack thereof, configuration or any other aspect of an exhaust system. The informed owner realizes this and uses it to his/her advantage. And, as a result, it truly does not matter if you paint the exhaust system with pink paint - the standard deduction is the only deduction that can properly be applied.

[Don H.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

But what if he bought a raw steel exhaust system so no Std deduct for aluminized or SS ? Wouldn't then CDCIF apply?
ps, C2 chassis judges I know Std deduct for aluminized exhaust.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Dilema - 63 Exhaust blackout or not?

But what if he bought a raw steel exhaust system so no Std deduct for aluminized or SS ? Wouldn't then CDCIF apply?

Yes, it would. Of course, it's difficult to actually find one, but CDCIF would then apply.
This usually means your best bet for points is, if not an original, then an aluminized system. And, a Corvette Central system (for early C3s, for example) scores the same as a Gardiner system for a lot less money.