Current perspective on 65 steering box finish

[Steve A.]

I have researched the forum and found a thread indicating that the current TIM/JG is in revision and the steering box appears to have been painted black as an assembly from the saginaw plant and delivered to st louis black.

I have seen a box on a supplier site painted black except for the top cap which was natural with black phosphate bolts.

I am at the point of my restoration that I am getting ready to install the box. Would like to get it properly finished. Current JG says either natural of black (I assume that was because earlier thought was blackout painting made them black)

Is there any perspective that the top "check lube" plate is also painted black? I have the correct bolts but I cleaned the phosphate off them, seems silly to re-phosphate if I end up painting the cap and bolts black.

Any insights?

[Michael H.]

Re: Current perspective on 65 steering box finish

Steve,

I think the JG's for all 63-67's at one time called for a natural unpainted steering gear. The thinking has changed over the years though and now most agree that the entire gear assembly including the cover and flexible coupler were coated in black before leaving the Saginaw plant.

[Tony S.]

Re: Current perspective on 65 steering box finish

Steve, best to follow Michael's advice. That's where the research has taken us. Just DO NOT put paint daubs OVER the black paint. It's an instant deduct. Remember that the forward pinch bolt in the coupler was in place when the assembly was painted black. The rear pinch bolt is black phosphate--not painted black. Good luck. Tony

[Brian K.]

Re: Current perspective on 65 steering box finish

Would the N96 steering coupler be painted, since it was a low production number?

[Jim D.]

Re: Current perspective on 65 steering box finish

Would the N96 steering coupler be painted, since it was a low production number?

Yes it would.

[Tony S.]

Re: Current perspective on 65 steering box finish

Would the N96 steering coupler be painted, since it was a low production number?

That's N36, and as Jim Durham posted, yes it is painted.

[Steve A.]

Re: Current perspective on 65 steering box finish

Thanks all. Tony, were the shafts for the coupler and pitman arms also painted? My understanding is that the pitman arm was installed after and was natural forging finish. Also, I assume that the rear bolt was not painted because it was only added during assembly and not there during painting?

[Tony S.]

Re: Current perspective on 65 steering box finish

Steve, the pitman arm was added at St. Louis so it would not have been installed at Saginaw when the steering box assembly was painted black. Some pitman arms are natural (power steering) and some are painted black (non-power steering). The rear pinch bolt is not painted because it was added at St. Louis. The front pinch bolt was added at Saginaw before black paint.

Good luck.
Tony