Halfshaft flange finish

[Michael L.]

Guys,

What is the finish of the halfshaft flanges on a '69? Finally getting ready to start assembly of the rear suspension and just need to know this. Thanks.

Mike

[Joe C.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

Guys,

What is the finish of the halfshaft flanges on a '69? Finally getting ready to start assembly of the rear suspension and just need to know this. Thanks.

Mike

Natural blue/gray color of forged steel.

[Anthony D.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

Natural blue/gray color of forged steel.

Any pointers on how to get the finish?

[Joe L.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

Any pointers on how to get the finish?

Anthony-------


It's virtually impossible to replicate in any way that would not be easily detectable.

[Joe C.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

Any pointers on how to get the finish?

You'll get multiple suggestions for this.

Hopefully the u-joints are not yet installed. Use a wire wheel and Naval Jelly to remove any rust. This should restore a natural finish. DO NOT media blast with sand. It can probably be tumbled or media blasted with walnut shells or something similar. Once cleaned, coat with WD40. I like to coat with satin clear-coat, but many here will "poo-poo" this approach.

I would think that Quanta still "restores" drive/half shafts. They get the forgings correct, but polish the steel tubes, which are a far cry from the original sheet steel finish. They also neglect to duplicate the bluish weld discoloration on the seam and the butt welds on the ends.

[Douglas L.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

Just to add a bit on the shaft finish. All BB cars got halfshafts that were shot peened. Not sure but I'd imagine that the weld discoloration would be at least partially in not completely obliterated by the process. A machine like a wheel-a-brator would replicate this nicely.

[Gary J.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

Quanta is not doing half shafts or drive shifts, the vender they were farming this out to passed away from what I understand.

[Jeff P.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

Did my 68 shafts this way.

[Gary J.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

What was the process?

[Jeff P.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

Sorry for the late response,I'm at Carlisle. Glass beaded the ends had the rolled steel polished by a local co. Then had a friend,member use a propaine torch to blue the welds. He suggested propaine because its temptress is lower.

[Gary J.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

What is the company that did the polishing?

[Jeff P.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

I can locate the receipt , I believe it was Spencer , Ma.

[Gene M.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

Did my 68 shafts this way.

The originals were a drawn welded tube and were not polished. Also the draw lines are longitudinal with the length parallel with the weld seam. Very pretty in the photo but not correct.

[Jeff P.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

Great info Gene. Would you have a photo of one.

[Joe L.]

Re: Halfshaft flange finish

The originals were a drawn welded tube and were not polished. Also the draw lines are longitudinal with the length parallel with the weld seam. Very pretty in the photo but not correct.

Gene------


I didn't want to be the first to say so, but I agree. These shafts look beautiful but they never originally appeared like this---never.