Correct Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

[John M.]

All,

What is the correct finish for a 1973 steering box? I'm getting mixed answers regarding my research. Some say natural and some say black. Any insight would be appreciated.

Best Regards,
John Means

[Jimmy P.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

John,
My box is black, and the top is natural.

[Russ S.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

My Sept 72 car has no paint on it. I did have it off about 20 years ago and replaced a seal. If I had thought at that time that it had been painted, I would have repainted it. On the other hand my April 73 one owner with 23000 miles appears to have minute signs of paint remaining on it. Guess that doesn't really answer your question other than maybe either is correct.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

I have seen most 73's with black paint.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

Guys,
To be clear, are we talking about the box only being black? And the box cover being natural finish? Or, the entire unit being painted black.
thanks,

[Russ S.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

Only the box. The cover is natural.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

Thanks Russ,

[Mark E.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

Check the JG for your year. The 70-72 JG is a bit vague: "Steering gear box was natural finish on earlier cars and semi-gloss black on later."

I doesn't call out the cover separately, but most if not all covers I've seen are natural.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

Mark,
The 73-74 JG is just as vague.

[Gary R.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

I've had in a lot of 63-82 boxes and most were painted black, or what was left of the black paint, the yellow tabs were under the black. I have seen bare iron boxes as well through the era. I don't know what determined what was painted vs are iron. The aluminum covers were not painted nor were the lock rings. A 73 box will not have a date code cast into the back or an assembly tag on one of the cover bolts. Most castings are 649's, the 70-73? had a "T" in a circle cast in the back of the box. The earlier boxes has "A" in a circle. The date coded started by '75.

I was at a shop last week and was under a '66 on a lift and noticed the box was a later 70's box that someone swapped the gears on to maintain the original style rag joint.

[Peter G.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

After reading this thread I had to check my car. My eary VIN #2XXX natural finish top and bottom with no evidence of any paint. Has numbers on top plate and looks normal. Has always past judging, but that doesn't answer the question.....sorry. I can only confirmed this gear box being on the car since I have had it of course.

If I had a choice in judging what I would expect to see it would be "low gloss black box, but not the top plate or bolts. I would not deduct for either way without looking at a 4/5-Star Bowtie 73 car. I don't know of any off the top of my head right now to contact.

The correct answer maybe "both"?

[Rich C.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

My October '72 #5100 is low gloss black. Cover natural. Car is un-restored.

1973 LS-4 454 coupe owned 26 years
1996 LT-4 CE coupe

[Jim R.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

Pictures of my 73 box removed last year for new seals. 33,000 mile Duntov. WP_000557.jpgWP_000559.jpg

[John M.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

Jim,

What is the cast/part number on your box? Did you repaint the top cap black after restoration?

Thanks,
John

[Jim R.]

Re: Corect Finish for a 1973 Steering Box

John, I did not remember any casting numbers on the case. Ive checked all the pictures. There are some numbers on the Aluminum cover as seen in pictures sent. For me to describe the finish, I would say the box was dipped and hung black. There are area's that have a lot of settled paint in low area's and the finish does not look like spray. The pictures are the box just removed from the car. I had it resealed light coat of chassis black in spots and reinstalled.