C1 rear axle housing paint

[Dave Sly]

I have a 1959 Posi.

I know that the housing is painted a low grade gloss black and that the vent line, brake line and Posi-fluid disc are not painted. (by the way, my car has the original posi-fluid disc on the fill plug, and the writing is well centered - not on the edge like the JM says). Another deviation, is that there is paint on my brake drums, and the exposed portion of the axles (and not on the springs). The JM says that the brake drums were not painted (hmmmmm).

My question is this - Was the axle housing, differential and backing plates painted after assembly, or before? In orther words, are the differential nuts, and backing plate nuts, and front seal painted or not? By the way, while I cannot tell if these nuts were painted, it does not appear that the front pinion seal was ever painted - maybe replaced?

Thanks,
Dave

[Dan H.]

Re: C1 rear axle housing paint

Hi Dave, looking at some pictures of a 2300 mile 1959 Corvette rear axle, the rear springs, u-clamps and nuts, backing plate are painted chassis black as a unit, the brake drum has traces of black but also surface rust, hard to tell there. Would assume the gears were installed and nuts also blacked out etc. Also, a 'walk around' blackout was done to the chassis which covered the front sway bar (top) and it's brackets, the bottom fan shroud and anything else in its way! Can even see some blackout on the brake lines going to the rear backing plate, not sure when this was done. Bottom line, a hit-miss with the chassis paint.
Regards,
Dan

[Rob M.]

Re: C1 rear axle housing paint

Take a look at this document: http://www.c1registry.com/index.php?...age=1&uid=9785 about a brand new 1961 car being dismantled back in 1961. This will provide you many accurate pictures on paint, glossiness and inspection marks...

regards,
Rob.

[Dave Sly]

Re: C1 rear axle housing paint

Wow! that is an amazing document. Thanks a lot for posting this. This picture confirms a lot of discrepancies that I am finding with the JM. In particular, the bolts that hold the front crossmember and 3rd arm are clearly painted in this picture (as also in the pictures in Noland's book). My car also has these painted. Unfortunately the JM says that these should be unpainted (I disagree).

I also found it interesting that the driveshaft is painted black. The JM says it was not painted. It is likely that this was done during the blackout.

Looks like I will paint the rear axle housing, differential, backing plates and all bolts and nuts.

Thanks again.
Dave

[Rob M.]

Re: C1 rear axle housing paint

Your welcome. It is also available as pdf in the download section on the C1 Registry (see link). Take your time to read it as well, real interesting findings!!!

greetings,
Rob.




MIRA - Vehicle Analysis - Chevrolet Corvette