1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Color

[Thomas B.]

Hello:
Does anyone know what paint color a 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate is to be?
Thanks..

[Brady C.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

Going from memory, I beleive it is satin black.....

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

See "similar threads" about this. For 4-speed cars, the consensus seems to be it was installed before being sprayed with the engine and bell housing. So it has some level of engine color coverage. I think they were supplied to GM painted black, some of which might show under the engine color.

I'm not sure about the cover on automatic cars.

EDIT: The TIM&JC says "...automatic transmissions for both 454 and 350 engines were attached to the engines at St. Louis and therefore have no overspray on them." I'm not the expert about this, but this implies the inspection cover is not engine color.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

Dip painted semi-gloss black. I believe you can still buy them like this today.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

Dip painted semi-gloss black. I believe you can still buy them like this today.

Patrick-------


Yes, you can still buy them like that today. However, the covers installed on the cars were painted with the engine. As far as I know, these covers were supplied to the engine plants in bare steel. The only paint they received was the engine paint. There is usually a bare area behind the oil pan. I believe the black painted covers were SERVICE pieces.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

See "similar threads" about this. For 4-speed cars, the consensus seems to be it was installed before being sprayed with the engine and bell housing. So it has some level of engine color coverage. I think they were supplied to GM painted black, some of which might show under the engine color.

I'm not sure about the cover on automatic cars.

EDIT: The TIM&JC says "...automatic transmissions for both 454 and 350 engines were attached to the engines at St. Louis and therefore have no overspray on them." I'm not the expert about this, but this implies the inspection cover is not engine color.

Mark------


For automatic cars the underpan was painted semi-gloss black, although I think some were actually bare steel.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

Hi Thomas,
New Member and First Post!!!!
Welcome!
Here's a picture from a very low milage 72 but I'd think it would be typical of what was on your 70 also.
As Joe said, not much paint was on the top of the cover where it tucks up behind the rear of the oil pan.
Regards,
Alan

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

Dip painted semi-gloss black. I believe you can still buy them like this today.

To clarify, I was referring to the automatic trans inspection cover, following the direction Mark led.
Yes, the 4 speed one was supplied in steel and painted orange as mentioned elsewhere. Alan shows a very nice photo.

Sorry for any confusion.

[Bill L.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

Hi Thomas,
New Member and First Post!!!!
Welcome!
Here's a picture from a very low milage 72 but I'd think it would be typical of what was on your 70 also.
As Joe said, not much paint was on the top of the cover where it tucks up behind the rear of the oil pan.
Regards,
Alan

Another great picture Alan!

Kind Regards,


Bill

[Wayne L.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

Yes, my experience is in agreement with Joe, that only the covers sold over the counter were painted black to prevent corrosion while sitting on the shelf. All known originals (to my experience) are bare steel with some engine orange overspray on the outside.

[Michael L.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

Guys,

found this very helpful thread on inspection shield finish for 70. Can I assume the same info posted applies to '69?

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

Guys,

found this very helpful thread on inspection shield finish for 70. Can I assume the same info posted applies to '69?

Mike

Mike------


The same.

[Jim T.]

Re: 1970 corvette, 350 Engine Bell Housing Flywheel Inspection Cover Plate Paint Colo

Just to verify what I have seen for the past 47 years, my original owner 1970 flywheel cover is black. Just took another look to see what the paint condition looks like, it is pretty good for a July built 1970 Corvette and it has never been painted by me that I can remember. It is a cover for the turbo 400 automatic.