Half Shaft Restore Question

[Henry S.]

Re: Half Shaft Restore Question

Boyan,

I wasn't refering to the JG. I was refering to the way the 63's actually rolled off the line. ALL OF THEM. The entire rear suspension/drive (minus the spring) was coated black. That includes the differential, half shafts, control arms, backing plates, spindle supports, drums and about the first foot of the parking brake cable as it exits the backing plate.

This blackout process wasn't something that was done "sometimes". It was done on every 63 that was produced.

It may not be pretty but it IS correct.

And yes, it was me that started all this "blackout" stuff many decades ago. I eventually brought it to this discussion board where it was not welcome, at first. Now, though, restorers that pay attention agree completely on the incredible amount of chassis black that covers almost everything on the chassis/suspension of 63's and 64's.

Michael

Hey Michael,
What about the 65, 66 and 67's? What would be correct for them? As always, thanks for sharing.
Shooter

[Michael H.]

Re: Half Shaft Restore Question

Hey Michael,
What about the 65, 66 and 67's? What would be correct for them? As always, thanks for sharing.
Shooter

Henry,

That's when the blackout process changed, and disc brakes that 1st appeared for 65 are why it changed.
Prior to 65, the 63-64's received the same blackout treatment that all previous year Corvettes received. Basically the same as the 53-62's.

The engineers that designed the new disc brakes for 65 weren't particularly inpressed with the thought of that black goo all over their shinny new brake rotors. Well, actually, they WERE impressed, but it wasn't a good kinda impressed.
Masks and covers could have been fabricated and installed to shield the rotors during the blackout process but in the end, it was a lot easier/faster to modify the blackout process and eliminate the blackout for front spindles and rear spindle supports, 1/2 shafts, diff etc etc.

The process changed quite a bit for 65-67. There would still be blackout on several items (mufflers, sway bar etc) but not anything near the brake rotors.

[Henry S.]

Re: Half Shaft Restore Question

Henry,

That's when the blackout process changed, and disc brakes that 1st appeared for 65 are why it changed.
Prior to 65, the 63-64's received the same blackout treatment that all previous year Corvettes received. Basically the same as the 53-62's.

The engineers that designed the new disc brakes for 65 weren't particularly inpressed with the thought of that black goo all over their shinny new brake rotors. Well, actually, they WERE impressed, but it wasn't a good kinda impressed.
Masks and covers could have been fabricated and installed to shield the rotors during the blackout process but in the end, it was a lot easier/faster to modify the blackout process and eliminate the blackout for front spindles and rear spindle supports, 1/2 shafts, diff etc etc.

The process changed quite a bit for 65-67. There would still be blackout on several items (mufflers, sway bar etc) but not anything near the brake rotors.

Thanks Michael!

[Gary B.]

Half shafts; seamless, extruded vs. longitudinal weld seam

All,

Although the 4th ed of the '66 TIM&JG says the half shafts were extruded, as does the 63-64 TIM&JG, I don't believe this to be the correct. If you have an original half shaft that is rusty and pitted beyond restoration and you cut it in half you will find a longitudinal weld seam. That weld eventually becomes obliterated from rusting or right from the get-go from shot peening with the HD suspension. I simply do not believe that seamless, drawn-over-mandrel (DOM) tubing was used for such applications in the 60's.

Gary