'66 Brake master cylinder cap finish/build date

[Rob A.]

I understand either cad-dichromate or semi-gloss black is the accepted finish on the manual brake master cylinder cap, from both the JM and the discussions on this board. Does the build date of the car appear to be a factor, or is it just hit or miss as to which finish appears? I have a June built '66.

[Michael H.]

Re: '66 Brake master cylinder cap finish/build dat

I don't think there was any hit or miss about it Rob. These caps were black in production. This is one of the oldest debates in the history of C2 Corvettes and it probably started soon after the 65 66 cars were a few years old because the original black finish came off easily. Thepeople that claim they were not painted may have done so because the unpainted finish polished well and looked good back in the "chrome and shinny" days of Corvette shows. It seems to apply to this day.

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: '66 Brake master cylinder cap finish/build dat

Rob,

We are in the process of restoring a '65, April build. Every indication points to the master cylinder being installed prior to black out.

[Michael H.]

Re: '66 Brake master cylinder cap finish/build dat

Mark,

You are correct, although the paint on the master cyl has nothing to do with engine compartment blackout. There was almost nothing at all in the way of mechanical parts in this areawith the exception of hood hinges and lock assemblies. (St. Louis only) The entire master cyl, including the cap, was painted black at the source, not at the St. Louis Corvette plant. Odd as it is, non power 65-66 were the only years of the C2's that were done this way.

[Rob A.]

Thanks for the responses....I'll opt for black... *NM*

[Bill W.]

Re: '66 Brake master cylinder cap finish/build dat

One more date point; 1966 number 23514 (early June) was black when delivered to me. Bill

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: '66 Brake master cylinder cap finish/build dat

Michael,

That's curious because when we removed the M/C the firewall showed no paint under it, bare glass. Heater cover was the same, so we thought they were in place during black-out.

[Michael H.]

Re: '66 Brake master cylinder cap finish/build dat

Mark,

One of the very first things that happened to the body after it came out of the last paint color booth was the engine compt blackout. At that point, there was almost nothing bolted or attached to the body, other than hinges for doors, deck lids and hood etc. After that process came the color reflow oven so it would not be at all possible to have had of the mechanical items in place during that process. Another hour down the line came the beginning of "hard trim", which would have included master cyl and heater assy.

[Rex Kelly]

Re: '66 Brake master cylinder cap finish/build dat *NM*

[Tim B.]

Re: '66 Brake master cylinder cap finish/build dat

If the cap is painted black, then are the straps/clips holding the cap painted black as well?

TIA