1966 Muffler Black Out

[Tim G.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Here is an original N11 exhaust system from my 8,900 mile '67 435. It appears that Hank is accurate in stating that the goal was to obscure the sight of the muffler from side view. These mufflers both still have the "A" on them. The passenger side has heavier coverage.

[Danny P.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Thanks for this, Danny. When you say "...was to hide the view of the muffler", you mean the view from the side only? It seems from the photo, the silver color on the bottom would show a lot from the rear. Maybe?

Don , they spray black out so you won't see the muffler at certain angle but could still see muffler from a back view , that what the factory thinking was Don.

[Alan D.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Agree with Garry, as the years increased the blackout became less.
"What is the general consensus on muffler black out on '67 ? Someone mentioned that there were different levels of black out for different model years."

These are from a 1964 (note in Sept of 64), clearly more blackout and the rear end of these were also done.

[Owen L.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

I was under the impression that the black-out paint was applied with a mitt as it appears in the '66 line photo. The other examples look like a spray. What's up with that?

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[Michael J.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Yes, glad you mentioned that, a curious item there. The newly released '63-'64 TIM&JG (7th edition) has added this about the exhaust blackout: "The preservative paint was applied from above the chassis with a mitt/mop." But I also thought I remember a picture of workers in protective suits who were spraying it on. I can't find that picture.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

This is what it says in John Hinckley's assembly line description: "Spray chassis blackout paint on the outboard side of both mufflers"

http://www.michiganncrs.org/resources/CorvetteAssyProcess.pdf

[Alan D.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Owen, don't start that again

[Owen L.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Owen, don't start that again

Unintentional, I assure you. Kinda like the '68 being a Stingray, I presume.

Well, it's hard to argue that the different pics show different application methods...

[Mark F.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

This is what it says in John Hinckley's assembly line description: "Spray chassis blackout paint on the outboard side of both mufflers" http://www.michiganncrs.org/resource...ssyProcess.pdf

Agreed, Michael - and this is what John said in post #10 of the link provided in the OP...

"Actually, the chassis blackout operation was done with the fully-assembled chassis right-side-up, in the last station on the Chassis Line, right before Body Drop, using airless spray guns fed from drums with Johnstone pumps.There was never any "mitting" process - that fairy tale was invented many years ago by someone who had never been in an assembly plant, and "mitting" subsequently became an almost unassailable "fact" when it found its way into a JG; I've worked to erase it from everyone's memory for the last twelve years - it never happened."

[Robert P.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Would there be a deduction on judging the exhaust if blackout was not applied
my car in question is a 66
thanks Bob Peckham

[Michael J.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Interesting, so there is a correction needed in the new 7th Edition of the '63-'64 TIM&JG?

[Gary B.]

[Mark F.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Interesting, so there is a correction needed in the new 7th Edition of the '63-'64 TIM&JG?

Hi Michael and Gary,

I need to be careful, precise and complete here because John's comments went on in the same link at Post #12 (9/13/2011) to say:
"...the reference to "mitting" will NOT appear in the new 5th Edition of the '67 JG when it's published."

I campaigned my '67 car thru NCRS flight judging from 1998 thru 2003 (National @ Hershey, PA) and my Spring 1998 2nd ed. 4th printing '67 TIMJG referred to the "mitted" application process (which I replicated on mine). Although my N11 exhaust when I bought my car (1998) was welded and looked "original", I can't verify that it was FOEM - plus it did not have blackout on the surfaces described in this post, so it may have been a service replacement that looked "pretty close" to original TFP.

Anyhow, we know (apparently as described in this post?) that this process changed thru C2 production years, so I just want to clarify I'm not in a position to comment about what happened in '63-'64; nor am I suggesting that TIMJG needs revised.

I was merely quoting what John said as another "data point" in this discussion...sorry for not also tacking on his other comment in Post #12 of that string...

[Gary B.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

Mark,

Point made.

Gary

[Alan D.]

Re: 1966 Muffler Black Out

OK Owen - I too cannot resist bring the mitten subject up just to have fun
Probably here is the location where the final black out was done
(from the early 63 GM marketing photo's)