1963 Exhaust blackout

[Jerry C.]

Could someone please go thru the blackout process on a Feb. 63 coupe. Heard lots of things but want it correct for judging. Thanks in advance.

[Michael G.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Well...its pretty much universally understood that all 63s had significant chassis blackout with an asphalt-based chemical paint. Having said that, though, ignore it completely, i.e. don't blackout anything for judging...

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

I used a semi-flat chassis black paint to paint the exhaust pipes and mufflers. No deductions at the regional or national.

[Jeff M.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

My unrestored 63 coupe (NCRS Chapter and Regional Top Flight and Bloomington Gold Survivor) has what's left of significant chassis blackout but was told by Team Leader that it shouldn't have any blackout so since there is blackout that affects most components in the chassis area, I wasn't able to get Bow tie Sign off on the Chassis part of it. At the same regional in flight judging I got full credit with no deduct for blackout on any of the parts in the blacked out areas and was awarded a Top Flight. I guess it depends on what judging award you are going for and who will be judging it. There is evidence that some 63's had chassis blackout so being that the Judging Refence Manual tell judges "if you have the slightest doubt, the benefit goes to the owner" I would think owners would get credit for blackout. This has been an issue for a while so if the answer is going to be no blackout, as is listed in the current judgin manual, then there should be some evidence to show owners why blackout was changed from being correct in the 5th edition judging manual to incorrect in the 6th edition and to why the evidence that show some came with blackout is incorrect. Just my opinion.

[Michael G.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

While Michael J's car may not have gotten any deducts with it's exhaust blacked out, I wouldn't put it on before judging. My blue car scored 99.2 at Nationals in 2013, with no blackout anywhere...in fact I removed it from the entire rear suspension prior to judging, just to meet the JG requirements...

Understand that "sans blackout" is not the way it came off of the line, though, so if you're a purist, and want it really original then don't use ordinary flat-enamel-chassis-black, instead, after judging, add the good stuff, that sticky, messy, ugly, asphalt-based goo that they really used and you'll be fine...(other that having a garage floor that becomes permanently unusable)

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

While Michael J's car may not have gotten any deducts with it's exhaust blacked out, I wouldn't put it on before judging. My blue car scored 99.2 at Nationals in 2013, with no blackout anywhere...in fact I removed it from the entire rear suspension prior to judging, just to meet the JG requirements...

Understand that "sans blackout" is not the way it came off of the line, though, so if you're a purist, and want it really original then don't use ordinary flat-enamel-chassis-black, instead, after judging, add the good stuff, that sticky, messy, ugly, asphalt-based goo that they really used and you'll be fine...(other that having a garage floor that becomes permanently unusable)

This is what I used on my 63 coupe two years ago....I don't think 'messy' does it justice....I still have some on my body in places I can't reach.

[Michael G.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Entirely too much information, Frank

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

I have wondered, were the heat shields also blacked-out?

[Michael G.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

I have wondered, were the heat shields also blacked-out?

Michael, The quote below, from John Hinckley, back in 2003, would seem to answer your question with a firm "no"

"Ignoring for the moment what the JG says, the entire lower surface of the exhaust system was NOT blacked-out, nor was there any "mitting" application of blackout paint (another "urban legend"). The top and outboard sides of the mufflers were sloppily sprayed with "chassis black" paint (from the top, with the chassis fully assembled) in the last station on the Chassis Line, prior to body drop. Some day the descriptions in the JG's will become aligned with how it was really done - clearly visible in archival GM photos, and known to guys that were there at the time (like me)"

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Michael,

I wonder if John meant when he said the top of the muffler the surface where the tail pipe attached.

I understand the outboard area so I assume the black out was spayed where the muffler would be visible from the side and rear.

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

I have wondered, were the heat shields also blacked-out?

I replaced my original 63 exhaust shields and all ground straps last spring...there was no appearance of blackout on the shields...

[Michael G.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Tim, I get the feeling from re-reading that earlier discussion that there was no effort to paint the pipes forward of rear axle, as the intent was to hide the shiny mufflers from view. Frank's car would tend to bear this out. Here's another of John's quotes:

"This was not any sort of precision operation, and the coverage varied widely, including drips and sags that resulted from spraying the cheapest imaginable paint directly on oily parts. The "intent" of the operation was to "hide" the shiny muffler shell visible in the side view behind the tire for "showroom appearance"."

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Guys, My 63 and a friends 63, both converts, just went through nationals this year, and one was with painted mufflers only and one with no black out and nothing was deducted for either car, So really there seems to no logic to judging, as some area's may deduct for lack of blackout. I have seen assembly line pictures posted here with blacked out pipes and mufflers here on the discussion board, Is seems that some judges are not big on the TDB, reasons are ?? Maybe to much bad info???

[John D.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Don't know quite where to start here friends. So I decided this will be my only reply as swamped with work and not up to par. Maybe too much holiday.

We have beat this subject to death in the pass. Remember all the original photos Michael Hanson posted here?. Remember the one with the upside down chassis?s
Then remember what someone typed about a child "doing" a 63 chassis? When in doubt on a 63 make it black.
The chassis on my 63, the LWC is incorrect as far as finishes go. Meaning my half shafts and other parts are bare like say a 67 chassis.
My helper and I were the first to take the car apart in 1979. Half shafts were loaded with sloppy black coating. Had lots of runs in it.
Anyhow look up old posts here. 63 chassis is basically black.
Rear spring according to Franz Estericher was bare with black overspray. Had no gray like I hear some of you talk about.
John

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 Exhaust blackout

Here is a photo from John Hinckley's presentation on the St. Louis chassis process. I think this is a '65 (?), and I have seen '65 pictures with the entire exhaust blacked out, up to the exhaust manifold, but this one shows little if any: