Control Arm Shaft Colour? Early 1966 corvette

[Nick M.]

Sorry for such a simple question, but you think I can find my Judging manual? no where in site!!!!

I am cleaning up my Engine Compartment and all suspension pieces were covered in a hard undercoating substance sometime in the car's life. Actually most everything under the Hood is covered!!!!!

Am removing this and will repaint.

In doing a search I see photos of engine compartments that show the Control Arm Shaft in the following configurations, painted Semi Gloss Black, Gloss Black and Natural Cast colors.

What is correct for a 1966 L79 corvette with an early build date of September 1965, AOS car?

Photo of a proper detailed early 1966 327/350hp Engine compartment would be even better!!!!

Thank you for your help

[Don H.]

Re: Control Arm Shaft Colour? Early 1966 corvette

Nick, 65 TIM&JG says that upper A Arms, cross shaft, bushings and retainers are all painted gloss black as a unit. I think that 66 would be the same, especially early build date. But, others may know more precisely.

[Joe L.]

Re: Control Arm Shaft Colour? Early 1966 corvette

Nick, 65 TIM&JG says that upper A Arms, cross shaft, bushings and retainers are all painted gloss black as a unit. I think that 66 would be the same, especially early build date. But, others may know more precisely.

Don-----


That's it. They were dip painted with the shaft end going in the dip tank first. However, the ball joints were not painted since they were installed at St. Louis. Often times, the ball joint end of the a-arm (about 5 or 6 inches) is not painted but I have seen some original cars that the arm looked like it was completely painted. My 1969 arms were completely painted.

[Ron G.]

Re: Control Arm Shaft Colour? Early 1966 corvette

My experience has been that the upper cross shafts are dip painted black and so are the bushings and the washer that resides on the end. The bolts that attach the end washer and cross shaft to the bushings inside the control arms are black oxide. I respect what Joe L. says, however, the only time I have seen where the ends of the arms are not painted were over the counter or late seventies and early eighties production. The control arms were painted with black tri-clhorentine (not sure of the spelling) that was purchased from the Pontiac Paint & Varnish Co. that was located in Pontiac, Michigan. They are no longer in business. The paint was a very durable coating that usually lasted a long time. I have also seen the upper cross shafts with a natural un-painted finish. The latter is not as common as seeing them painted black.

[Nick M.]

Re: Control Arm Shaft Colour? Early 1966 corvette

Thank you Don, Joe and Ron for your feedback.

Gloss Black it is.

Were the end Bolts, Bushing Retainers (LargeWasher) and Lock Washers also dipped or painted Gloss Black?

Would someone be kind enough to post Early 66 photos of an L79 Engine Compartment for reference.

Now back to looking for my Judging guide.

Appreciate the input.

[Gary B.]

Re: Control Arm Shaft Colour? Early 1966 corvette

Nick,

I agree with the others about the control arm, pivot shaft and end hardware being gloss black for '66, which is clearly stated in the '66 TIM&JG. The question is, what level of sheen is gloss? I have observed chassis judges deduct for not glossy enough and others deduct for too glossy. On unrestored cars or older restored cars that are driven the gloss tends to be too little. I think the gloss level decreases as flowing air containing suspended dust and dirt particles is abrasive and will dull the gloss over time. But based on my observations chassis judges do not like to be able to see their reflections in the control arm surfaces. So too high of a gloss will get you a deduct as well. I think a gloss level between semi-gloss and gloss is what to shoot for. But be prepared for that gloss level to gradually decrease on a car that is driven.

Gary

[Matt L.]

Re: Control Arm Shaft Colour? Early 1966 corvette

66 a arm nuts and spark plugs 011.jpg
here is a pic of my mid april 66 car. it seems to have a dark grey finish more than black. is this do to aging? this finish is also on my rear sway bar. this car is very original. i hope this helps in some way.

take care,
matt

[Michael H.]

Re: Control Arm Shaft Colour? Early 1966 corvette

The control arms for 63-67 (and possibly 68?) were coated with basically the same black goo (chassis black) that the frame was coated with. Later, at some point in the C3 era, and all service arms sold after that time, were coated with some sort of paint.

The coating for 63-67 was not exactly gloss. It's "kind of glossy", but not like gloss black paint.

As others have mentioned, the entire arm assembly, including shaft, bushings, washers and bolts, was coated with chassis black.

Upper control arms with the small section of unpainted surface around the ball joint appeared in late 70's or 1980, as mentioned.

[Nick M.]

Re: Control Arm Shaft Colour? Early 1966 corvette

Thank you for the photo Matt,

So the procedure was to Assemble the Control arm completely(Shaft, Bushings, etc.) and prior to installation, Dip the whole thing in a Glossy Paint or Tar like substance?

Would this procedure not have a negative effect or assist in some sort of premature wearing of the Bearing or breakdown of the Rubber components?

Seems kind of odd.

So how would I go about slightly dulling a spray can of Gloss Paint? Semi Gloss obviously does not have enough Sheen to it.

Or is there a product in a spray can that someone could recommend that would be appropriate for this job.

Thanks again to all.

[Gary B.]

Re: Control Arm Shaft Colour? Early 1966 corvette

...So how would I go about slightly dulling a spray can of Gloss Paint? Semi Gloss obviously does not have enough Sheen to it.

Or is there a product in a spray can that someone could recommend that would be appropriate for this job.

Thanks again to all.

Nick,

I don't think you're going to wind up with an acceptable look using a rattle can. At least I couldn't with my A-arms. In a rattle can, the ratio of pigment to propellant is too low with gloss paints and you wind up with something that almost looks like there is a clear coating and in addition, I could never get a nice uniform appearance. I wound up stripping off my paint and taking the A-arms with hardware attached, including the ball joint, which I masked off, to a professional spray painter to have them reshot. You should ask for some test panels at different sheen levels before you have them do the final shoot.

Gary