Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

[Irby G.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

Jeff, that's what I was looking for, that wand that allows you to get into the inside of the frame. The way I understand it, /these frames were actually dipped in the paint upside down and had many paint runs.

Tim, did you mean the rear spring or the brake/fuel lines were black? or both?

[Timothy B.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

Irby, From everything I have seen it appears the spring is painted black with the rear assembly. I am sure the coverage is hit and miss with paint in some places and not in others.

I restored my original 63 spring with the Quanta kit but I did not paint black. It's my opinion the brake lines have black also as I have a pic of the entire rolling frame getting sprayed with black out, I had trouble posting it yesterday because the file is too big. The pic was posted by John Hinckley or Mike Hanson and if they read this they will repost for you.

[Harry S.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

Irby, most everything was painted black. So, if you looking to go original, go black. But if your like me and don't like the black on everything, then Quanta gray on the springs and Cast Blast (gray) on the rear, struts, etc. Or whatever manufasctures color you choose. Yes there is a point hit if your having it judged. I think it just looks better.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

[quote=Irby Gauthier (36953);390122]Jeff, that's what I was looking for, that wand that allows you to get into the inside of the frame. The way I understand it, /these frames were actually dipped in the paint upside down and had many paint runs.

Irby
Check Eastwood's online catalog: Home > Rust Treatment > Rust Prevention, then sub-category Undercoating & Equipment. It doesn't appear as though the kit I purchased (Tri-Con 9000 Protective Coating Applicator) is currently available. As I recall, I was able to purchase the gun, 3 wands and some flexible tubing as a kit for around $60 a few years ago - but don't bet anything on my capacity to recall anything accurately! I bought Eastwood's Black Heavy-Duty Anti Rust coating separately. Application was pretty straight-forward. Perhaps a call to them might help you explore the options.
Good luck!
Jeff

[John H.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

I am courious if the four spring bolts were torqued after the car had weight to compress the spring to ride height. How did the factory do this without damaging the rear cover?

Tim -

There was a compression fixture in the basement where the rear end subassembly was done that deflected the rear spring to normal ride height position while the four retaining plate bolts were torqued. There was another one on the Frame Upside-Down Line on the main floor that did the same thing while the trailing arm link bolts and the shocks were installed.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

The newest judging manual clearly states the spring is gray, and the rear differential and half shafts are natural unpainted.
so which is correct?

black or as stated in the manual --should I clean off all the black?

The lower picture is my 63 convt. ---
Yesterday - while cleaning the fiberglass on the pass side - I noticed this marking:
What would this "68" mean?

[Michael H.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

The newest judging manual clearly states the spring is gray, and the rear differential and half shafts are natural unpainted.
so which is correct?

black or as stated in the manual --should I clean off all the black?

The lower picture is my 63 convt. ---
Yesterday - while cleaning the fiberglass on the pass side - I noticed this marking:
What would this "68" mean?

Tha differential, along with almost all of the rest of the rear suspension/drive components for 63-64, was painted black. I've covered this subject very well over the last several years here. Many excellent pictures have been posted of unrestored low mileage originals and also many factory photos that confirm this.
The 5th edition of the JG DOES acknowledge this black paint/coating, although it doesn't state these components WERE painted. It does state that they might have been. By the time the next edition comes out, I suspect it will state that thet WERE painted.
It's not a grey area. They were coated black.

The spring coating for 63 is still up in the air. Although there is some documentation that the 63 spring was supposed to receive the light grey lonoclad (spl) it's not confirmed that all did. More likely the coating first appeared in late 63, but definitely early 64 for the early release of the new spring a month after start of 64 production.

Until the spring coating color is confirmed for 63, I suppose either black or light grey would be acceptible.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

Black it is - certainly makes everything easier.

I had a rod-knock last week - so out came the engine for rebuild.
And as long as it was out - I am going through the chassis.

[Rob M.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

That is very likely your factory job number...

greetings,
Rob.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

thanks.
Here is a picture of my rear spring - it is SG black with unpainted white plastic separators.

I was worried about the spring - it was wrapped in tape - thought there might be a problem.
Then an old racer friend told me they did that back then to prevent squeaking.

Removed the tape this morning - this looks original - the plastic has no evidence of ever being painted.

nothing on this car was ever done carefully - does this look like the original spring?

[Harry S.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

Jeff, we would need to see some additional pictures, but from that clamp and what else I can see it does not look like an original 63 spring. I'm sure others will comment.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

The spring has 9 leafs.
That clamp could have been added later - it is lose, not attached

[Harry S.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

Some info on the 63 9 leaf spring.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ng%22&uid=2779

[Jeff A.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

thanks.
No - mine is not like that.
only the #2 Leaf is flared upwards.
was likely replaced at some time with a service part.
The ride is nice, so I will add it to the "find for later" list.

The engine is supposed to be back in 2 weeks, so I am doing a quick clean-up.
Only including the corrections, that I have already collected.

I want to be back on the road ASAP - it is perfect weather this time of the year.

edit --- Anyone have an extra 63 spring laying around?
After installing can you still tell the difference between a 63 spring verses the 64-67 with the flat leafs on top?

[Harry S.]

Re: Painting '63 Frame and Frame Parts...

Jeff, 63 springs are hard to find. A good used one will be $300.00 plus. Then you get to restore it.

Search the archives for "63 Eaton Spring" or post by Chuck Gongloff. Chuck took portions of an Eaton spring and combined it with other 63 leaves.

No one reproduces the 63 spring yet but Eaton is as close as you can get. There is a rumor that Americas Finest Corvette out of California may be making them in the future.