'70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

[Bob B.]

I am finishing my '70 300 HP auto convertible, the fluid dip stick on the automatic trans, should it be painted engine orange or bare metal ? Mine was orange and may have been painted over the years I stripped it to paint correct and it sure looks like it was bare metal originally
Would sure appreciate a good answer, Judging guide says nothing, that I can find anyway/ Thanks

[Owen L.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

Never had my '72 automatic judged, so not been under the microscope... The dipstick tube is natural on mine. I believe auto trans engines are painted all by themselves vs. bellhousing on a 4-speed. Without the trans attached, the tube isn't there either. My flywheel also had orange paint on about 1/2 of it.

[John L.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

Bob, page 147 of the TIMJG says the tube is tin-plated and un-painted. However, the original tube on my '72 was painted black. No deducts were taken at regional, Mobile national.

[Mike E.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

As I read this, I perceive that the original post has to do with the dipstick, and the two responses have to do with the dipstick tube. Regarding the original question, I can assure you that the dipstick was not painted orange. Nor was the dipstick tube painted orange.

[Gary B.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

Could somebody post a picture of this? I'll add it to TIM&JG. I have pictures of the engine oil dipstick tube in the manual. Need a picture of an automatic tube and dipstick.

Gb

[John L.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

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[Gary B.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

Thank You, Thank you.
I'll add it under Dipstick and Tube in Mechanical.
Gary B

[Patrick H.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

Nice sticker reflection.

[Mike E.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

Gary,
When I get home on Monday, I will take pics of the 25k-mile 71.

[Bob B.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

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SO, looking at your very well done photo- The dip stick appears to be plain metal AND from the JG the tube is also tin plated bare metal- so be it !! THANK YOU ALL- I want it right Bob

[Gary B.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

Don't rush to JUDGEMENT to quick. The TIM&JG reference the ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK AND TUBE. It does not mention the Automatic Transmission dipstick and tube. They may NOT be the same. I think... the Automatic Transmission dipstick is natural, but the tube is also natural, not TIN plated.

Give me a few days to look at some cars. Please. It's been to cold here to venture very far, but is suppose to warm up tomorrow and Monday. -16 degrees yesterday here, was 0-degrees this morning, high of 2-dregrees predicted. It's not bad, but the 30-40 mph winds are little brutal.

Gary Bosselman
68-69 TIM&JG Coordinator
70-72 TIM&JG Coordinator

[John L.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

Gary,

Heading for a high of 78 degrees on this balmy California Christmas Day! Keep warm!

[Mike E.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

Pictures included of a 25064 mile 71. The car was a leaker, so finishes have been preserved.
The dipstick tube is definitely plated. It has a greenish hue to it.

The dipstick shaft appears to be unplated, although it could have some sort of plating on it. See pics of shaft bend and shaft that has been down in the tube with fluid on it for 51 years.

The dipstick shaft cap is definitely plated with a charcoal/gray finish. Black oxide?

These photos have been forward to Gary B for the next 70-72 JG. He certainly won't use all of them for this somewhat miniscule part, so I will include them all here. Notice that the cap has flats on it, 180 degrees apart.
Dipstick and tube (1).jpgDipstick and tube (3).jpgDipstick and tube (7).jpgDipstick and tube (10).jpgDipstick and tube (12).jpgDipstick and tube (11).jpgDipstick and tube (4).jpg

[Gary B.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

Yesterday, Jim Anderson, Terry McManmon and I visited the "Library". Jim has (5) low mileage M40 equipped cars.

His 489-mile, 454, M40 1972 coupe has a light grey phosphate dipstick. The whole dipstick is plated, even the stick is plated. You can see the sparkle of the phosphate finish. Like Mike's, the dipstick tube has a translucent amber coating on it. But, it does not scrape nor does acetone take it off. It's like a hard cosmoline finish, but I don't think it is. It won't wash off or scrape off.

His 3k mile 72 small block coupe, is bare steel tube, with a welded seam running the full length of the tube. No Amber coating on the tube, bright shiny bare steel. The dipstick is a darker shade of gray phosphate.

The 1970 454 roadster, has a dark gray phosphate dipstick. The tube is like the 72, bare steel with a translucent amber coating.

The 69 427 M40 is identical to the 70.

Just for the record, 68, 69 and 70 used a 3868812 tube, 3905449 dipstick.
1971 used a 3974420 tube, 3905449 dipstick
1972 used a 3974420 tube, 1239014 dipstick
According to the AIM's.

Anybody know what the coating is?

Gary Bosselman

[Owen L.]

Re: '70 auto trans fluid dip stick painted or bare?

My '72 454 M40 tube does not appear to have any sort of coating on it; looks like bare steel but has no surface rust, so it must have something on it as the car is largely unrestored.

Gary, do you have any production date for the two '72s above?