'62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

[Alan F.]

The Tech Manual Judging Guide for '61-'62' describes Quality Control Checker marks on the front ties rods (Yellow Insert correction sheet, page 81, last sentence in #27) as:

"Two different color blue marks on tie rod ends and additional yellow band on one end of each."

I can't figure out what the blue marks should be...
1. Could be two shades of blue on the tie rod ends, or....
2. Could be two blue marks on each tie rod end, or...
3. Could be two blue marks, one on each end for a total of two combined ?

My car presently has #3. Does any body know what is correct for Flight Judging, I'm prep'ing for Nationals in Charlotte. Thanks, Alan Foster

[William C.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

Weren't they covered in the chassis blackout process? I've done "bowtie" judging on '61-62 and the only ones that showed the marks were those where the owners had taken solvent to the underside of the parts and cleaned off the factory coating.

[Dennis C.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

Not sure if the marks should be covered or not, but here are some photos I took of a top flight care.

Dennis

[Keith R.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

I wouldn't rely on the photos being gospel as it appears that the tie rods, clamps and spindle supports are all painted contrary to the JM

[Bob H.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

here are originals on my 62

[Dennis C.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

Bob,

Can you tell what front suspension parts have original paint on them?

Knowing I was going to tackle my front suspension this summer, I have been collecting photo's of top flight cars. Since January, I have looked at least 6 cars (61 & 62) and all of them were different. These cars achieved top flight at the regional or national level. I don't think I have seen one that match the judging manual.

For a few of the cars I have spoken to the owners who all indicated their front suspension did well in judging.

I just re-installed my overhauled crossmember last night and I am still not sure I have the painting correct.

Thanks,

Dennis

[Terry M.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

Bob,

Can you tell what front suspension parts have original paint on them?

Knowing I was going to tackle my front suspension this summer, I have been collecting photo's of top flight cars. Since January, I have looked at least 6 cars (61 & 62) and all of them were different. These cars achieved top flight at the regional or national level. I don't think I have seen one that match the judging manual.

For a few of the cars I have spoken to the owners who all indicated their front suspension did well in judging.

I just re-installed my overhauled crossmember last night and I am still not sure I have the painting correct.

Thanks,

Dennis

Top Flight score is 94%. That means 6% deduction or 279 points deducted. Now you have to figure out where that 279 points were deducted. It would appear that in the six cases you studied at least some of them were for front suspension finish.

That is why I encourage folks to look at Bowtie Corvette, and even there the cars are not perfect. I will say again: "There are no Corvette virgins." I think I'll ask my wife to put that on my tombstone.

[Bob H.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

Hi Dennis:

I bought my car from the original owner and it essentially untouched. I haven't cleaned off any more grime then in the photos but plan to this week. I'll forward any additional markings I find this week.

Attached are photos of rear end markings. I can't speak to how much was covered with blackout paint but I can tell you there is no shortage of yellow paint on mine!

Bob

[Keith R.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

here are originals on my 62

Great pics showing the paint marks. Tie rods, tie rod ends, clamps/bolt&nut, and third member all match what is called for in the JM

[Keith R.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

Interesting to see the yellow inspection mark at the end of the carrier near the rebound strap. I don't believe that it's mentioned in the JM. I just had my rear axle assembly hot tanked in preparation for rebuild and paint and noted that the hot tank process removed all the paint except for inspection paint residue in the same locations as well as a horizonal stripe across the top of the differential. Also interesting to see yellow at the end of the axle flange and if I recall, the JM says that they are different colors. Joseph Tripoli doesn't mention any of this in his Chassis Restoration Guide either. Plus, he states that the inspection mark on the end of the tie rod end is yellow vs. the blue on Bob Hoffman's car.

[Bob H.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

Hi Keith

My car also has the yellow accross the pumpkin. Attached are a couple more pictures. #32 is the other tie rod tube but the paint swath is much wider and more to the center of the rod.

Most markings are still on the car. The frame stencil was discovered under it's one re-paint overspray!

The car and story about it was in the spring issue of the Restorer.

[Dennis C.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

Top Flight score is 94%. That means 6% deduction or 279 points deducted. Now you have to figure out where that 279 points were deducted. It would appear that in the six cases you studied at least some of them were for front suspension finish.

That is why I encourage folks to look at Bowtie Corvette, and even there the cars are not perfect. I will say again: "There are no Corvette virgins." I think I'll ask my wife to put that on my tombstone.

Terry,

I completely understand your point.

I have been trying to speak with the owners of the cars I looked. So far I have spoken with two of them and both indicated they received no point loss for finish of the front suspension.

Now if I only had a Bowtie Corvette down the block.......

Seriously, I appreciate your input.

Regards,

Dennis

[Dennis C.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

Hi Keith

My car also has the yellow accross the pumpkin. Attached are a couple more pictures. #32 is the other tie rod tube but the paint swath is much wider and more to the center of the rod.

Most markings are still on the car. The frame stencil was discovered under it's one re-paint overspray!

The car and story about it was in the spring issue of the Restorer.

Bob,

Is that paint or dirt on the inside surface of the wheel back plate?

Dennis

[Bob H.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

Oops! First, it is yellow paint on the inside surface. The first photos of the axles where they are all yellow were from my 61. All other photos are the 62. Sorry I mixed them up but I believe both years should look the same.

[Terry M.]

Re: '62 Quality Control marks on tie rods?

Terry,

I completely understand your point.

I have been trying to speak with the owners of the cars I looked. So far I have spoken with two of them and both indicated they received no point loss for finish of the front suspension.

Now if I only had a Bowtie Corvette down the block.......

Seriously, I appreciate your input.

Regards,

Dennis

Dennis,

Most of us are not fortunate enough to have a Bowtie car down the block, regardless of what year we are interested in. And of course one Bowtie car may not be enough given the number of engine options and variations in assembly practices through the model year.

Best chance at nice Bowtie cars is the National Convention. The ones there have generally been screened by the Bowtie selection process, so you will get to see what the judges think is the best that have shown up at Regionals. That saves a lot of events with few or no Bowtie prospects.

The Survivor(R) field at Bloomington Gold(R) can yield some good prospects, but it lacks the visibility of chassis components that the lifts used at NCRS Nationals provide.