GM #5638483 Wiper Door Actuator

[Joe L.]

In another thread regarding an allegedly never-registered 1969 L-89, some underhood photos were included. Myself and others pointed out that among other deficiencies, the finish on the wiper door actuator was not as-original. Rather than have this information "embedded" in a thread about L-89's, I thought I'd start a new post and include photos of an NOS GM #5638483 actuator [not for sale] illustrating its finish. So, herewith those photos:


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[Lawrence M.]

Re: GM #5638483 Wiper Door Actuator

Joe,
Thanks for the pic . Can I assume the finish on the late '69 "pie pan style" would be the same ?

[Bob D.]

Re: GM #5638483 Wiper Door Actuator

Joe

The color of the actuator does not concern me so much because the color can range from gold dichromate with purple & green & red tones to just the gold with light green & red tones. The color depends on the freshness of the dip, the length of time the metal is in the dip etc. What I see as a distinct difference is the roll of metal at the back where the back plate & cylinder mate up. Originals the roll is flatter. Repos the roll is rounded.

Bob

[Joe L.]

Re: GM #5638483 Wiper Door Actuator

Joe,
Thanks for the pic . Can I assume the finish on the late '69 "pie pan style" would be the same ?

Lawrence-----


I believe so. I have one or two NOS examples of those, too, but they're more difficult for me to get at. The one pictured was real handy.

[Joe L.]

Re: GM #5638483 Wiper Door Actuator

Joe

The color of the actuator does not concern me so much because the color can range from gold dichromate with purple & green & red tones to just the gold with light green & red tones. The color depends on the freshness of the dip, the length of time the metal is in the dip etc. What I see as a distinct difference is the roll of metal at the back where the back plate & cylinder mate up. Originals the roll is flatter. Repos the roll is rounded.

Bob

Bob------


The one on the 69 L-89 is WAY too shiny and smooth. That's the difference in finish.

[Patrick H.]

Re: GM #5638483 Wiper Door Actuator

Bob------


The one on the 69 L-89 is WAY too shiny and smooth. That's the difference in finish.

Ironically that seems to be the way buyers want them. If you check out the "seconds" often sold by a major Corvette parts supplier at Bloomington and Carlisle you will often see canisters with a finish much more typical of factory. However, they're not shiny enough to sell as firsts.

[Terry M.]

Re: GM #5638483 Wiper Door Actuator

Joe,
Thanks for the pic . Can I assume the finish on the late '69 "pie pan style" would be the same ?

Larry
The original finish on my 1970 (still there by the way) had substantial runs in the surface where corrosion had started even before I took delivery. The gold color has dulled over the years and the corrosion has progressed in the same pattern. What is seen on the 1969 L89 is called "over-restoration" and is not the way it was.

[Paul O.]

Re: GM #5638483 Wiper Door Actuator

Agreed the one on the 69 L89 is over restored. Also if one takes a close look at original actuators like on the 69 the end cap and the body are plated at different time. So in the majority of cases the finish does not match. Same for later pie pan style and all headlight actuators. But as Patrick stated most people want it to look pretty not factory typical.

[Bob D.]

Re: GM #5638483 Wiper Door Actuator

Joe, agree it is way too shiny, but it is also a repro based on how the end plate is affixed to the body. I have a collection of over 50 originals and none of them have a rolled bead around the end plate. The difference in color between front and back halves can also be attributed to which part of the actuator faces the engine heat which can change the color. I have parts that have been plated days and weeks apart and still match in color and texture, so that is not a fool proof method of determining originality. Tools marks and other subtle differences are another method of determining originality.

[Joe L.]

Re: GM #5638483 Wiper Door Actuator

All------


Here are some photos of an NOS GM #5638605 "dual pie pan" actuator. Functionally, this actuator is far superior to the earlier 5638483.


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