58 Restoration Questions

[Dennis G.]

I have a few restoration questions related to the finish on these early 1958 Vette parts:
1. The brake line and emergency brake u clips. A picture on the C1 Registry shows a car where the clips are cadium plated. I see reproduction ones are painted black. I found them in a GM parts book but it doesn't give a finish. What is correct?
2. What about the bolts that hold the lower pulley on to the harmonic balancer? The pulley is black, what is the bolt finish?
3. This is a 245 HP engine with an aluminum thermostat housing. Is it just a natural finish?

[Stewart A.]

Re: 58 Restoration Questions

I'll have a stab at No 3 Natural finish with orange over spray. But what do I know ? If they painted the engine with the dual carb manifold on it would have overspray all over it. They had about 10 seconds to paint a motor with a fire hose so tell me what colour ? Stewy

[Frank P.]

Re: 58 Restoration Questions

Dennis:

Brake lines, retaining clips, fasteners and cable should be unpainted. Parking brake frame attachement and cable attaching clips should be painted black. Pully bolts and lock washers are cad plated. Thermostat housing is natural (unpainted) aluminum.