Steering Box late 69, black or natural

[Keith M.]

So my steering box is with Gary R to be rebuilt in the near future. I checked the AIM and it appears that for late 69s some were in black finish and some natural. A local NCRS contact with a late 69 checked and his is natural. So I have choice to be made. Would love to hear from anyone out there with a late 69 indicating what finish is on your steering box and if you could just indicate month of build for reference. Not sure there will be any clear conclusions but I am curious. Unless a preponderance come back natural...I am leaning to black. I thought of doing this in form of survey but trying it like this instead.
Thanks in advance!
Keith

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Box late 69, black or natural

So my steering box is with Gary R to be rebuilt in the near future. I checked the AIM and it appears that for late 69s some were in black finish and some natural. A local NCRS contact with a late 69 checked and his is natural. So I have choice to be made. Would love to hear from anyone out there with a late 69 indicating what finish is on your steering box and if you could just indicate month of build for reference. Not sure there will be any clear conclusions but I am curious. Unless a preponderance come back natural...I am leaning to black. I thought of doing this in form of survey but trying it like this instead.
Thanks in advance!
Keith

Keith-------

The steering box on my original owner, September, 1969 built convertible was NATURAL, bare cast iron finish.

[Keith M.]

Re: Steering Box late 69, black or natural

Keith-------

The steering box on my original owner, September, 1969 built convertible was NATURAL, bare cast iron finish.

Thanks Joe. Have you applied anything to stave off rust?? Cast Blast? Clear matte??

I also should have asked...power steering or no? Maybe that might yield a correlation?

[Dennis D.]

Re: Steering Box late 69, black or natural

Just want to give a shout out to Gary. I sent him a spare 70 box I had laying around to put in my LT-1. Not only is his work truly amazing. He sent pics and descriptions of the entire process. The results are fantastic. Almost feels like power steering.Screenshot_20230909_130231_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20230909_130412_Gallery.jpg

[Michael L.]

Re: Steering Box late 69, black or natural

My steering box for my Sept '69 L-46 was painted black on disassembly and I restored it that way. No idea if that was the factory finish though.

Mike