63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

[Bob B.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Michael;

We did take two trips to Vegas, but I don't know how close we came to area 51 - I'll have to check the map. You might have something there. I worked on a lot of classified projects at the range (White Sands), but I did not know of Area 51 then (need to know). I know we had to shut down the range when they were flight testing the SR-71 (couple years before it was made public), but I didn't know what that was at the time either.

We sure have had fun with this one. Hope you don't take anything too personal. I'm not looking to take any issue with you in anyway, rather I'd like to understand why I can't remember the black gooooooo. I was hoping someone would come forward with a reasonable explanation, as you said in jest; the operator was off sick that day, etc. Otherwise, I guess I'll have to chalk it up to loosing too many brain cells.

Thanks for the fun. You did one heck of a job to research and document proof of your point. You're a good man Michael.

Stu Fox

I will agree with Stu about no black gooooo on the chassis because mine was delivered 1st of Oct, in 62 vin 618 and guess what, no goooooo or maybe I have that same problem of loosing brain cells and I still have my no goo car but it has been through hell and back. Bob

[Michael H.]

Goo Delete

I will agree with Stu about no black gooooo on the chassis because mine was delivered 1st of Oct, in 62 vin 618 and guess what, no goooooo or maybe I have that same problem of loosing brain cells and I still have my no goo car but it has been through hell and back. Bob

Possible that you had one of those rare GOO DELETE cars. I hear they did build a few in 63-64.

Kinda like heater delete but I never could find the option number for the goo delete option.

Trust me, all 63 and 64's had the rear susp/drive and front knuckle/brake assy coated. Most often in the same stuff that A O Smith applied to the frame.
I didn't really feel like goo when the cars were delivered new but it wasn't hard/dry like paint either.

I once owned 63 #170 and it still had much evidence of chassis black on the rear drive and front knuckle assy's.

It wasn't a new process for 63. The 62 and earlier cars were all the same way. Complete differential and housing, including brake drums/backing plates, coated in chassis black.

[Bob B.]

Re: Goo Delete

Possible that you had one of those rare GOO DELETE cars. I hear they did build a few in 63-64.

Kinda like heater delete but I never could find the option number for the goo delete option.

Trust me, all 63 and 64's had the rear susp/drive and front knuckle/brake assy coated. Most often in the same stuff that A O Smith applied to the frame.
I didn't really feel like goo when the cars were delivered new but it wasn't hard/dry like paint either.

I once owned 63 #170 and it still had much evidence of chassis black on the rear drive and front knuckle assy's.

It wasn't a new process for 63. The 62 and earlier cars were all the same way. Complete differential and housing, including brake drums/backing plates, coated in chassis black.

The goo delete option was on the line just below the radio delete option which I have on my car. Go figure Mike Just kidding Bob

[Michael H.]

Re: Goo Delete

The goo delete option was on the line just below the radio delete option which I have on my car. Go figure Mike Just kidding Bob

That's funny. Reminds me of when I first began trying to convince folks that the exhaust manifolds were painted orange along with the rest of the engine. We heard stories while judging about how "my car was special order and the manifolds were NOT painted orange". Same with the water pump by-pass hose and fitting.

[Ray G.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Hello;

Very interesting topic Ernie Fry;

Any thoughts on what time frame this "goo" was applied?

Did this continue after '63 & '64s mentioned?

Thank you.
Ray
God Bless

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Anyone else have pictures out there? I'd like to see them! If so, please email them to Ernie@Willcoxcorvette.com

Also, anyone have any idea what I should use to replicate this stuff? I'll take any and all pictures that will make this easier for us.

Alan: You are exactly right! We keep finding fresh color paint under the coating. Even the color paint has runs in it too!

Ernie

Ernie-----

As has been described by many others, the material used for the apparently extensive chassis blackout on 63-64 models was an asphaltic coating and not a true paint. Asphaltic coatings dry by simple evaporation of the solvent; paint dries by polymerization. This asphaltic coating is not very durable and, over time, will be removed by weather-related factors. You can see this clearly in some of the photos that you and others posted. In areas where the coating was thick, it remains; in areas where it was thin, it's been washed away.

The coating can be removed with most simple solvents, like paint thinner, etc. However, while the coating appears to be black, I think you will find if you rub on it with a rag with some solvent, the rag will show DARK BROWN and NOT black. This is proof-positive that the coating is an asphaltic type.

Quanta sells a product that they claim is the original asphaltic coating used in various places on Corvette chassis pieces, including frames. I've never used it, but I expect it's what you're after if you want to use an authentic chassis coating. Also, you can obtain asphalt-based undercoatings in auto parts and auto paint stores. However, you do NOT want the "rubberized" variety (unless you're doing the rear of the wheel well areas).

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Hello;

Very interesting topic Ernie Fry;

Any thoughts on what time frame this "goo" was applied?

Did this continue after '63 & '64s mentioned?

Thank you.
Ray
God Bless

Ray,

Ernie must still be in bed so I'll make up something. Actually, the chassis black and blackout process was probably used for all Corvettes from 53 to 64, and the asphalt base chassis black frame paint continued until some time in the early/mid 70's. (the frame paint was then changed from asphalt base to parafin base)
If you look at assembly line pic's of 53-62's you see that the blackout process was used as heavily for C1 as it was in 63-64. The entire differential assembly, including brake backing plates and drums. The entire front suspension/steering assembly, also including brake drums/backing plates and spindles, was coated in chassis black, just like 63-64.

The big change occured for the 65 model with the introduction of disc brakes. That's when the process changed which eliminated the blackout on the front spindle/brake assembly and most of the rear control arm and diff/drive.

If I remember correctly, there are some great pictures in the Noland Adams book of new 53-62's that show how completely the chassis/suspension was covered, just like 63-64.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Just like "most" 63-64's.

Good morning Michael. Hope you set your clocks back.

Stu Fox

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Just like "most" 63-64's.

Good morning Michael. Hope you set your clocks back.

Stu Fox

Oop's! Yes, I forgot that you and Bob Birchmeier had the rare "goo delete" option.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Michael;

Do you suppose that having the rare "Goop Delete" option would make my 63 more valuable? Should I call my Insurance Man and kick the value up?

Have a good day.

Stu

[Ernie F.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Stuart and Michael,

I mess up and set my clock back 13 hours so it’s still last night and I’m just now having my night cap! No wonder it's daylight out! What time do I get up now?

Ray, this is what I was trying to find out!

Seriously . . .this car had the goo all over the suspension, not much was on the frame main rails! The crossmembers had plenty!

However, the customer has decided to go with the JG descriptions so at this stage for my job it’s a mute point. Someone mentioned earlier that if the JG changed it could be added, but at this point I have to do what is directed to me by the customer. It's still a very interesting topic and I did find this stuff on my 62 years ago!

If there was a TSB on the rear u-joint flange, will I get dinged on the car for using the designed changed flange? Or do I look for an original one?

Lastly, on that spindle support without a date code on it, has anyone ever seen one like this? I’ll post a picture of it tomorrow night.

Ernie

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Ernie-----


I've never seen one without a date but I've not seen every support ever made and, of those I have looked at, I could very well have missed the lack of a date on some. I'd say if it was going to happen, 1963 would have been the year it happened and that's what you're working with. So, that part fits.

Does the support have an "N" following the casting number?

[Ernie F.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Joe,

Here is a picture of the support, and here is a picture of the spindle u-joint flange. Any info on the flange would be great.



Here is the different flanges.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Ernie,

Info about this TSB for the spindle and driveshaft flange is on the corvette restorer CD. This was a article in one of the restorer magazines some time ago, I can't tell you which one as I have it on the CD.

[Ernie F.]

Re: 63 Frame Restoration Questions Correct or Not

Great, I have the CD, I'll have to check it out. Anyone on the spindle support?

Ernie