steering linkage neutral or asphalt coating

[Steve L.]

I am cleaning up my linkage on my 73. This linkage was never touched since new. There is definitely black asphalt type of coating on the tie rods and relay rods. It's not dirt and not paint.

When I cleaned up the tie rods, they are bright and shinny. I would have noticed that when it was new.

The JM is wrong about neutral finish on this.

[Edward J.]

Re: steering linkage neutral or asphalt coating

Steve, The steering linkage has had many comments in the past and I think the consenses is that its natural from the factory for C3 cars, I have seen a 8k 1971 5 star(natural), and there was a recent 1972- 300 mile car on the TDB also Patrick H.5 star car is on the TDB they had no paint on the steering linkage, although I think that there were cars that had a coating on them. If you send you team leader a e-mail he may give you the correct answer.

[Terry M.]

Re: steering linkage neutral or asphalt coating

Steve, The steering linkage has had many comments in the past and I think the consenses is that its natural from the factory for C3 cars, I have seen a 8k 1971 5 star(natural), and there was a recent 1972- 300 mile car on the TDB also Patrick H.5 star car is on the TDB they had no paint on the steering linkage, although I think that there were cars that had a coating on them. If you send you team leader a e-mail he may give you the correct answer.

Sorry Ed, but the testimony I have from people who worked for Saginaw is that ALL the C3 steering linkage was coated as Steve describes. There was a thread last week (the last week of April) in which John Hinckley spoke to the C2 coating and I spoke to the C3 coating -- and we both agreed it continued until 1982. At almost every Advanced Judging Seminar I mention the coating -- and we had a stimulated discussion on that subject in Friday's class at Gettysburg. I disagree that there is a consensus that the steering linkage is natural on C3s.

What Steve has to decide is whether he is going to build his car to the judging manual, or stand his ground and leave it alone.

I will leave you with my quote: "There are no Corvette virgins."

[Harmon C.]

Re: steering linkage neutral or asphalt coating

A lot of water has flowed over the dam since the last 73-74 manual went to print. If you like it natural go with the manual. You could add the coating that is nasty later if needed and may have been their on most or all cars. That black goo catches all the dirt and looks ugly but I have seen it on lots of original cars. You need to get the goo right or it could be a deduction as it needs to stay wet be stickey and look ugly and then win the battle with the 73-74 chassis judge who goes by the book.

[Steve L.]

Re: steering linkage neutral or asphalt coating

I'm sorry for bringing this topic up yet again. I've been following this topic for a long time. But I've had this 73 since new. I picked it up within hours of it being unloaded off the train right and inspected it at the train lot with all the plastic covers before the dealer preped it.

The front steering linkage has never been touched until this weekend.
It's asphalt..I see what I see.

I've wire wheeled the asphalt off the right side tie rod. I initially thought it was grease and dirt but when I looked closer it is asphalt.

I'm going to satin clear it for now. Where do you get the aslphalt?

[Edward J.]

Re: steering linkage neutral or asphalt coating

Terry, I had a post with you on the same parts of the front end , I thought it was a cosmoline type coating on the tie rods and sleeves. I do not have your time with judging. but how do you explain those cars without any coating? I was just working on 14k 1980 car with no coating what so ever it seems there would be something black left on this car , I know you say theres no such thing as a untouch car.

I did however say in my post there were cars with a coating.

[Terry M.]

Re: steering linkage neutral or asphalt coating

Terry, I had a post with you on the same parts of the front end , I thought it was a cosmoline type coating on the tie rods and sleeves. I do not have your time with judging. but how do you explain those cars without any coating? I was just working on 14k 1980 car with no coating what so ever it seems there would be something black left on this car , I know you say theres no such thing as a untouch car.

I did however say in my post there were cars with a coating.

I suspect the cars without coating have either suffered the ravages of too much driving in the rain, or more likely suffered at the hands of over enthusiastic cleaners. My personal belief is the latter, but we can never forget that none of these cars were intended to live as long as they have.

[Steve L.]

Re: steering linkage neutral or asphalt coating

I'm currently cleaning up these linkages. I've never cleaned them before.
There's about 80K miles on it. I've cleaned the right tie rod. Most of it was covered with the coating. There was some hint on the idler arm. I haven't gotten to the rest of it but the relay rod doesn't look like it has much left.

But I agree with Lyle, I like the look of the shiny tie rod since it is made of mechanical tubing it shines up really nicely with just a wire brush. I've bead blasted the cast parts and tie rod ends and put on a hint of satin clear. So they look nice as well.

The surviving asphalt did a nice job in protecting the parts.