Rear shock mounts

[Michael G.]

I'm restoring an original pair of 63 shock mounts. I've cleaned them up and they look very nice. I'm wondering: did they had any sort of finish before assembly?

Thanks,

[Joe R.]

Re: Rear shock mounts

I'm restoring an original pair of 63 shock mounts. I've cleaned them up and they look very nice. I'm wondering: did they had any sort of finish before assembly?

Thanks,

Michael,

A very good question!

I have in my hand a 63 shock mount casting number 3820930-62 and it has no finish that could be recognized. It could have been black phosphate at one time since that coating does not last past the first rain. It has NEVER had any zinc or cad plating!

Later? shock mounts were either zinc or cad plated. How much later I don't have a clue!

Hope this information helps.

JR

[Larry M.]

Re: Rear shock mounts

I believe that they were plain, forged steel.......and that the mill coating helped to preserve the finish from rusting for a time.

I cleaned mine up with a fine wire wheel, and then gave them a quick (thin) coat of Eastwood Satin Clear metal coating. They look original and shouldn't rust for many years.

The rear strut rods would be similar......although many report a slightly more blueish tint on originals.

Larry

[Rich P.]

Re: Rear shock mounts

I have always found traces of silver plating on the protected parts of the mount when disassembled. My thinking was that they were plated zinc/cad. All Nos pieces are zinc/cad plated. It's possible some were natural/bare steel but I always remember them plated.

Rich

[Tracy C.]

Re: Rear shock mounts

I'm restoring an original pair of 63 shock mounts. I've cleaned them up and they look very nice. I'm wondering: did they had any sort of finish before assembly?

Thanks,

Michael,

Check out post 47 of Ernie's thread. It very clearly shows a silver finish beneath the goo.

tc

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...assis&uid=6790

[Joe R.]

Re: Rear shock mounts

Michael,

Check out post 47 of Ernie's thread. It very clearly shows a silver finish beneath the goo.

tc

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...assis&uid=6790

Tracy,

Please note that the 62 following the casting number is for 1962, so there might be a cutoff somewhere during the year. Remember that most spec call for a minimum finish spec. Anything above that was acceptable. Looks like Ernie's shock mount was the same casting number but the date could not be read.
And yes, I know that the 62 could be a mold number! More than likely a date since my shock mount either came off an 8000 or 10000 63 Corvette.

JR

[Michael G.]

Re: Rear shock mounts

Tracy, That's a great thread! After all my searches, that thread never appeared in any of them. I think I'm going have to learn how to use the search engine.

That sure looks like a silver coating, but the rest of that thread makes its original color a moot point.

After reading that thread, I think I'm going to paint the whole rear suspension chassis black, just like it came up from the plant basement. As for applying the black goo on the rest of the undercarriage, I'll leave that discussion for another time.

Thanks all,