63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

[John S.]

Can anyone advise the correct finish for a late 63 ( July) driveshaft and halfshafts? I have friends with original cars who have said theirs are painted black, but juding manual says natural. Who is right?

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

Can anyone advise the correct finish for a late 63 ( July) driveshaft and halfshafts? I have friends with original cars who have said theirs are painted black, but juding manual says natural. Who is right?

John------


I don't think these pieces were ever painted black prior to original installation on a 1963. However, 1963 model Corvettes received extensive chassis blackout, so it could be expected that the driveshaft and half-shafts would have received it, too.

[Dan H.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

Hi John, look at section 4, sheet 4 of your 63 AIM. There is a footnote next to the driveshaft assembly stating to leave the yoke end free of paint! I wonder why they put that notation there? Also tons of archives on the whole rear end assembly being painted as a unit, drums, E cables, shafts, rear end, etc.
Dan

[Tom H.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

Check out John's reply in post 2 here.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...paint&uid=6700

[John S.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

From what I have found they were painted, yet I got points deduct for not having them natural. This car, a 39,000 mile car had them painted so it was redone the way it came. Also the halfshafts had only bolts without the French locks, but also got deducts for that, we even used the original bolts to put it back in place!
Guess the judging game or the manual needs some corrections.

[Alan D.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

Well John the subject is on going! I finally did mine all black including "leave the yoke end free of paint!" So got hit on the yoke ends & not correct GM U joints. And my 64 too was all black (owner since Aug67)

As you can see from some past posts on the subject good info is available to document the blackout usage, (age dated photos) Finding more judges aware of the blackout however if you need the points do not blackout - when things change its simple to make it black again.

[John S.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

Well John the subject is on going! I finally did mine all black including "leave the yoke end free of paint!" So got hit on the yoke ends & not correct GM U joints. And my 64 too was all black (owner since Aug67)

As you can see from some past posts on the subject good info is available to document the blackout usage, (age dated photos) Finding more judges aware of the blackout however if you need the points do not blackout - when things change its simple to make it black again.

The fact that many cars have proven that the halfshafts were black, pictures to prove it and statements in AIM, up to the u joints, as mine was ( never been apart, 39,000 mile car) it is discouraging to get deducts when one knows differently.

I'm a newcomer and the western regional was my first meet, got Top Flight anyway, but dislke deducts where they are not warranted. I leave ti to the experts, but know what was found on my original car and what others have found.

[Dan H.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

Hang in there John, just fix what needs to be fixed for now, the rest will fall in line eventually!
Dan

[Domenic T.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

I saw a picture in our magazine that showed a worker spraying the complete chassis black nothing was masked off either.
Also I think they do not want paint on the yoke because it might get in the machined surface the U-joint fit into.

DOM

[Terry M.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

I saw a picture in our magazine that showed a worker spraying the complete chassis black nothing was masked off either.
Also I think they do not want paint on the yoke because it might get in the machined surface the U-joint fit into.

DOM

Yes you did see that picture, but the picture failed to point out what WAS pointed out on this board -- that photo was of the 1963 pilot line chassis build. Does that make a difference in the coating applied? I have no idea -- I'll leave that one to you 1963 lovers. I'm just sayin' .....

[Alan D.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

Well if John's picture in the reference link was a little vague here is another one. (think another 63 pilot)

From past discussions it has been reported by a few experts (past GM workers) that the entire rear assembly was assembled in the basement, blackout done and hauled up as one piece (no spring, shocks, or shock support) It was then installed - so no reason to not blackout yoke, U joints, brake drums, anti rattle springs, (which mine are) It was also reported that when the new disk brakes of the 65 came on line the blackout stopped since it was feared the blackout would/might cover the disk surface, besides one less step to do.

Again, just leave bare and paint later when such is accepted! Better things to fight about. There is a lot to a JG so the writers will get out the questionable items over time. It's just yet another no thank you high paying job.

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 drive shaft/half shaft finish

There was probably less blackout than the pilot line cars, but how much less is just a guess. I agree with Terry.

I just had to make this decision on my 63. My take is, it's your car, in this case my car. From an appearance point of view, I like no paint on the rear carrier, spring, drive shaft, short shafts, spindle carriers, etc. So I left them natural and used a rust inhibitor. It does look good. Will I take a point hit, maybe/probably, but I really don't care.

Do what makes you feel good.

[John H.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

I saw a picture in our magazine that showed a worker spraying the complete chassis black nothing was masked off either.
Also I think they do not want paint on the yoke because it might get in the machined surface the U-joint fit into.

DOM

Dom -

The driveshaft came to the plant with the front yoke already in place, with a cardboard protective sleeve over the polished yoke surface that contacted the tailhousing bushing and seal. The note in the Assembly Manual was there so the chassis blackout sprayers just prior to Body Drop didn't get any on the exposed polished portion of the yoke, which would destroy the tailhousing rear seal.

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

Most 63's that have been carefully disassembled show extensive blackout. The half shafts show blackout on the upper half with runs around the shafts along with the driveshaft. Most 63's have blackout on the rear housing of the transmission!!!!!!!!

I'm sure the guy with the blackout was careful not to spray the yokes on the driveshaft as well as the ends of the half shafts. Yeah, right!!!!!!!

Upon interviewing one of the blackout guys at St. Louis he was quoted as saying " I was told to paint everything black that was not black already".

Sounds like a typical union worker following orders from the super!

JR

PS. This does take into account that NCRS owner cars had special treatment at St. Louis and that there are no errors in the judging manual.

[John S.]

Re: 63 driveshaft/halfshaft finish

Most 63's that have been carefully disassembled show extensive blackout. The half shafts show blackout on the upper half with runs around the shafts along with the driveshaft. Most 63's have blackout on the rear housing of the transmission!!!!!!!!

I'm sure the guy with the blackout was careful not to spray the yokes on the driveshaft as well as the ends of the half shafts. Yeah, right!!!!!!!

Upon interviewing one of the blackout guys at St. Louis he was quoted as saying " I was told to paint everything black that was not black already".

Sounds like a typical union worker following orders from the super!

JR

PS. This does take into account that NCRS owner cars had special treatment at St. Louis and that there are no errors in the judging manual.

I tried to paint the halfshafts in this manner, just spray from one side with runs around to be authentic, but got deducts for having the paint! Left the ends/ujoints unpainted, but guess not correct for some. I think I will leave it and hope next time it has no deduct. Maybe the 'rules' will change from this blog.