1967 - A6 Compressor cosmetic restoration questions: Paint & "O.K. FINAL TEST" stamp

[Scott S.]

In the process of having the original, correct date A6 compressor rebuilt, I need to figure out what to do about the paint, the yellow "O.K. Final Test" stamp and the foil label. I am guessing that the foil label can be carefully removed and saved as a reference, to be replaced with a reproduction, and use a typewriter to hammer out the correct date code (matching the original) into the foil.

About the paint: the rebuilder says he usually bead-blasts the exterior clean and repaints. The 1967 JG says the compressor should be semi-gloss black (p. 91).

Unfortunately, bead-blasting and repainting will obliterate the original yellow "O.K. Final Test - CHEV." inspection stamp.


Questions:

1. What kind of semi-gloss black paint is recommended for this under-hood application?

2. Should an attempt be made to mask-off the original yellow inspection stamp to preserve it, or is this the kind of thing that is normally media-blasted/painted over and then re-stamped? I don't know if this is something that should normally be preserved (I'd rather not find out too late), or whether this is something that is normally painted over and re-stamped with the "O.K. Final Test - CHEV." symbol.

3. Are there any other cosmetic issues to be aware of?

.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1967 - A6 Compressor cosmetic restoration questions: Paint & "O.K. FINAL TEST" st

In the process of having the original, correct date A6 compressor rebuilt, I need to figure out what to do about the paint, the yellow "O.K. Final Test" stamp and the foil label. I am guessing that the foil label can be carefully removed and saved as a reference, to be replaced with a reproduction, and use a typewriter to hammer out the correct date code (matching the original) into the foil.

About the paint: the rebuilder says he usually bead-blasts the exterior clean and repaints. The 1967 JG says the compressor should be semi-gloss black (p. 91).

Unfortunately, bead-blasting and repainting will obliterate the original yellow "O.K. Final Test - CHEV." inspection stamp.


Questions:

1. What kind of semi-gloss black paint is recommended for this under-hood application?

2. Should an attempt be made to mask-off the original yellow inspection stamp to preserve it, or is this the kind of thing that is normally media-blasted/painted over and then re-stamped? I don't know if this is something that should normally be preserved (I'd rather not find out too late), or whether this is something that is normally painted over and re-stamped with the "O.K. Final Test - CHEV." symbol.

3. Are there any other cosmetic issues to be aware of?

.

LICS has an excellent decal....use typewriter to add date code.

A yellow OK stamp is available from a couple of sources. I can provide names if needed. LICS may have one, but if not, I know where it can be obtained. Just provide your favorite shade of yellow paint.

Semi-gloss black is good for the case. You can always use something to dull it down, if needed. It will dull on its own, with time.

Larry

[Scott S.]

Re: 1967 - A6 Compressor cosmetic restoration questions: Paint & "O.K. FINAL TEST" st

LICS has an excellent decal....use typewriter to add date code.

A yellow OK stamp is available from a couple of sources. I can provide names if needed. LICS may have one, but if not, I know where it can be obtained. Just provide your favorite shade of yellow paint.

Semi-gloss black is good for the case. You can always use something to dull it down, if needed. It will dull on its own, with time.

Larry

Hi Larry, thanks for the tip on the LIC compressor decal, I suspect different vendors do some decals better than others and I have not gotten to the point of investigating who has the best decals/stickers yet.

I have found the "OK Final Test" stamp at a couple of places, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't making a mistake by removing the original. When I had my clock and instrument cluster restored (by a well-known specialist), they obliterated the Julian date code on the back of my clock (210 6), and while they preserved the date-stamp on the back of the instrument cluster, the "Tachometer Reads Twice Cable Speed" stamp was bead-blasted down the oblivion hole.

Given the experience and knowledge on this Forum, and the lengths often gone to in order to preserve what is original, I wanted to be sure I wasn't making a mistake before the original "O.K. Final Test" stamp goes the way of the clock and the instrument cluster stamps.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1967 - A6 Compressor cosmetic restoration questions: Paint & "O.K. FINAL TEST" st

Scott:

When you finally restamp the compressor, don't be too careful/precise.......if you're a bit quick/messy, it will more easily pass for original.

Larry

EDIT: The compressor label date code should be about 6-8 weeks prior to your car build for the 1967 model year. Mine was January 26, 1967, for a March 28, 1967 car build. Others report similar findings.

[Scott S.]

Re: 1967 - A6 Compressor cosmetic restoration questions: Paint & "O.K. FINAL TEST" st

Scott:

When you finally restamp the compressor, don't be too careful/precise.......if you're a bit quick/messy, it will more easily pass for original.

Larry

EDIT: The compressor label date code should be about 6-8 weeks prior to your car build for the 1967 model year. Mine was January 26, 1967, for a March 28, 1967 car build. Others report similar findings.

I can't tell on the LIC "O.K. Final Test" stamp (their picture is too small), but on a competing product stamp, the period (.) after "CHEV" was missing (should be "CHEV." under "O.K. Final Test")

Regarding the date on the original foil decal, it's hard to read mine because the color has all flaked off from that area, leaving only light indentations in the silver foil. I am pretty sure it reads 12 23 62 (Dec. 23, 1966 - 2nd shift), and the car's build date was January 11, 1967. It could be 11 23 62 or even 10 23 62 though. After the original foil decal is removed, I will try to "lift" the date using a pencil and paper or some other method to confirm.

The end-cap on the compressor (where the casting number is: 6555302) reads K 29 6 (I think that's October 29, 1966, if they skipped the "i" in the date code sequence).

[Larry M.]

Re: 1967 - A6 Compressor cosmetic restoration questions: Paint & "O.K. FINAL TEST" st

Scott:

Due to limited demand (for 1967 model year) the compressors and associated AC equipment were probably batched in a few times during the year.....so it is possible that a 1967 Corvette could have an AC compressor date code closer to the car build date that what I reported.

But it appears from what I (and others) have observed, the AC compressor date code was a bit longer gap than the typical 2-4 weeks for most other componerts for these cars.

Larry

[Scott S.]

Re: 1967 - A6 Compressor cosmetic restoration questions: Paint & "O.K. FINAL TEST" st

Scott:

Due to limited demand (for 1967 model year) the compressors and associated AC equipment were probably batched in a few times during the year.....so it is possible that a 1967 Corvette could have an AC compressor date code closer to the car build date that what I reported.

But it appears from what I (and others) have observed, the AC compressor date code was a bit longer gap than the typical 2-4 weeks for most other componerts for these cars.

Larry

That makes good sense, and explains the "K 29 6" on the compressor end-cap being roughly 9 weeks prior to build date.

There are not many parts on the car that are older than late October '66:

July 1966
Seat belt, metal connector to body, LH: 7-66
Seat belt, metal connector to body, RH: 7-66
Clock: 210 6 (Julian date code for July 29, 1966)


August 1966
Door panel, LH: August 22, 1966
Exhaust Manifold, RH: H22 (August 22)
Muncie close-ratio transmission: P7M30 (August 30, 1966) (matching VIN #)


September 1966
Door panel, RH: September 14, 1966


October 1966
Vent window, RH: YA (October 1966)
Flywheel: J276 (October 27, 1966)
A6 compressor: K 29 6 (October 29, 1966)

Every other dated part (about 40 so far, not counting correct-date replacement parts like the alternator & starter motor) is from November or December 1966, plus two from January 1967 (tire tub = Jan 6th, steering column dated "005 7" for January 5th, 67).

[Scott S.]

Re: 1967 - A6 Compressor cosmetic restoration questions: Paint & "O.K. FINAL TEST" st

Any thoughts on a correct semi-gloss black that stands up well to engine bay temperatures?