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The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off. -
Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
71 "deer modified" coupe
72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
2008 coupe
Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.Comment
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Re: finish on c-2 A-arms
Patrick------
We could figure it out pretty quickly if some folks with later unrestored C3's would make a quick and easy observation of their front upper a-arms. I'm pretty sure the unpainted outer ends did not begin until at least the 1973 model year (and, most likely, well after that). So, folks with 1973-80 would be the "target observers".
I don't think the unpainted ends ever applied to the lower control arms.
An interesting question remains as to WHY the change in the painting of the upper control arms occurred. In general, GM does not paint the areas of parts that mate with another part, especially in the case of major functional components. However, in the case of these upper a-arms, they were completely painted for MANY years. Then, the process changed. I've got to believe there was a reason for this and I suspect that it related to some in-service problems. I don't think it was related to some convenience or expediency of the painting process because, if it was, I would expect that it would either have been done much sooner or the change would have been applied to the lower a-arms as well.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: finish on c-2 A-arms
The thread is getting bit confusing to follow. a 63 has a tar coating on it, Michael is saying correct to the 1070's being when the control arms were painted (that's not C2). Upper A Arms had ball joints riveted at the asy plant and service. I have a service lower A arm that has a service bolted on ball joint and it was that way when I bought the car in 1978. Joe, are the service part book descriptions in the mid 70's that clear that they include ball joints?
Second reason is - I bought in 1980 ball joints and the rivets to rivet them back as original and it was a PITA to get that done back then.
Preference all around was to bolt them on.Comment
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Re: finish on c-2 A-arms
i'm pretty sure the tar coating was present on the 63 and 64 a arms when they left st louis. since i believe the 65-7's didn't get the front suspension blackout like the 63 and 64's, i'm inclined to not blackout the ball joints of the 65-67 a arms. mikeComment
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Re: finish on c-2 A-arms
Mike
The control arms for all 63-67's, (and 68 and newer) were already coated in black when they arrived at the St Louis plant. The final blackout didn't have much/anything with the control arms.
For 63-64, the entire front knuckle/brake assembly was already coated when it arrived at St Louis too. (obviously not for 65 and later though) No further major blackout on the chassis line was required for the front suspension/steering for 63-64.
We do see some minor blackout overspray on a few items of the front suspension though. Sometimes the coil spring has a light coat on the forward coils. That overspray comes from the shot of chassis black on the top of the front stabilizer bar.
Most of the final blackout just prior to body drop had to do with the exhaust system.
Most of the complete rear suspension/drive was already black when the entire unit was bolted to the frame.
It's difficult to explain the specific areas that were coated and when it occurred. I should take an hour and try to describe the process. I think a lot of folks are confused about this process. Or, I should say, processes.
What parts/components were already coated when they arrived at the St Louis plant and what components/areas were coated during chassis assembly.Comment
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Re: finish on c-2 A-arms
Ron-----
The P&A catalogs were always clear that the upper and lower a-arms included the ball joint except for the 1978-82 lower a-arms which were also SERVICE for 63-77. For those, it did not specifically say they included the ball joint. However, every one of those arms I have (four NOS) and every one I have ever seen DO HAVE the riveted ball joints.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: finish on c-2 A-arms
One thing some seem to be missing and I think I've seen it posted here before is that the early C2 had bare steel then tar coated at St Louis.
Go back and read Dan Holstein's comments about his 63.
Joe, the the with or without, will have to get the photos when I get back up to the north of what was purchased in '76 and '80.Comment
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Re: finish on c-2 A-arms
We use to own a low mileage 1981 that had the original ball joints. The upper A arms were paint like the C2 Corvettes. The 1982's went to the throttle body fuel system but I can't tell from the assembly line photo what type of fuel system that car has installed on it.Comment
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Re: finish on c-2 A-arms
Ray------
SERVICE upper and lower 63-82 Corvette control arms were always supplied only with attached ball joints. However, the control arm shaft and bushings were never supplied with the SERVICE control arms.
For PRODUCTION the arms were supplied with the shaft and bushings but without installed ball joints. The ball joints were installed at St. Louis.
Joe;
Thanks.
Maybe that is were I got the idea the ball joint end of control arms were not painted to facilitate fitment of the ball joint and rivet.
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
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Re: finish on c-2 A-arms
Ok, now that we've concluded that the assembled control arm with shaft and bushings, but minus ball joint, arrived at the St Louis plant entirely coated in black, when did the coating change from chassis black (tar base/goo) to a form of enamel?
The arms on 63-67 were coated with chassis black but at some point in the C3 era, I think that changed.Comment
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