Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

[Richard G.]

Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original?

Or maybe a better question is; Are they judged and if they are how many points are they worth?
Pictured in one removed from my 1963 SWC.



I failed to find any identifying marks or part numbers on the casting or the rubber boot.
My Car likely has 90 to 100K on it and I feel it would be unlikely these are original.
I don't think the GM parts lasted that long. These are still serviceable in my opinion.
I failed to find any information in the NCRS 1963 Tech manual.
Any recommendations?
Thanks
Rick

[Edward J.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

Rick, heres a pic. of my 63 tie rod, this is the inner, and has the original yellow inspection mark, I See this a lot on originals.

[Richard G.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

I noticed three letters next to the start of the threads that is missing on mine.
It appears like these are not judged because of the lack of any information in the Technical Manual.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

Richard, Tie rods would roll into the last line of section 7 on the chassis judging sheets (link below). While they aren't specifically mentioned, they kinda sorta fall into the steering linkage descriptor. The entire line has only 6 originality points and 6 condition points to spread across everything on the line. I would think that even a callous hard nosed judge would have a difficult time deducting a point for 4 service replacement tie rod ends.

https://www.ncrs.org/njc/63-67%20Score%20Sheets/63-67%20Chassis.pdf

[Gary J.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

I would not want to see Federal Mogul wriiten on the face as that would be a dead giveaway to a service replacement. I would imagage finding NOS tie rod ends would be tough.

[Joe L.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

I would not want to see Federal Mogul wriiten on the face as that would be a dead giveaway to a service replacement. I would imagage finding NOS tie rod ends would be tough.

Gary------


Federal Mogul (Moog) and other aftermarket tie rod ends are configured quite a bit differently from originals. However, reproductions of the originals are now available from most of the Corvette parts vendors.

Here are some photos of NOS original tie rod ends. These same tie rod ends were used from 1963-1982. [None of these are for sale]

[Joe L.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

Some more photos:

[Richard G.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

Check out the pictures of my tie rod ends.
I believe there is a good chance they are originals
No aftermarket joints that I know of have the yellow paint.
They all match. I didn't see any yellow paint on two of them.
Pictured are the ones with paint, the inner rods.
I failed to find any paint on the outer joints.
Pretty excited about this find.
Rick

[Richard G.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

Sure appreciated everyone's input.
Special thanks to Tracy. I have never had a car judges and your input really helps.
Seems they may be original, not 100% sure but little evidence to the contrary.
I am going to but them back all cleaned up and with new yellow paint and call it good.
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

Sure appreciated everyone's input.
Special thanks to Tracy. I have never had a car judges and your input really helps.
Seems they may be original, not 100% sure but little evidence to the contrary.
I am going to but them back all cleaned up and with new yellow paint and call it good.
Rick

Rick------


The inner and outer tie rod ends are different. The inners are right hand thread; the outers are left hand thread. Occasionally, one will find the outers with a daub of blue paint.

[Richard G.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

Joe
That makes sense. A method to discern the difference between the outer and inner rods during assemble.
I had put the yellow paint on all four ends. Today I wire brushed the yellow paint off the lefties.
I was thinking inspection marks but not always!
Thanks

[Joe R.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

I studied this issue very carefully when I was restoring my '67 in 2006. At the time, I concluded that none of the replacement or repro parts were close to the configuration and markings of originals. So, I paid $$ for a set of NOS originals that exactly matched the originals on my car.

A few years later I saw a Paragon ad for new reproduction tie rod ends that appeared to be excellent reproductions. So, I think there are very good reproductions available now that were not available when I restored my car.

I have my original tie rod ends stored somewhere and could take photos if you like, but perhaps the photos provided by Joe Lucia will be sufficient.

[Richard G.]

Re: Is there any way to tell if tie rods are original? 1963 C2

NOS is the only way to go if you can find the parts and afford them when you do.

Even the simplest of parts are not correct.
For example; Nuts for the top A arm.
The ones you tighten when changing the alignment shims.
The aftermarket nut's length was off and so was the outside diameter (the part of the nut the wrench go on)
It was threaded the right size and correct pitch.
That was all they got correct.
So simple to make. GM even did it to specifications in the 60 without CNC equipment.
I have come to the conclusion they just do not care or the average buyer doesn't know the difference.
I suspect sales to NCRS members are a small percentage of the total.
I am not sure I like our modern world that much.
Rick