1972 Turbo 400 Transmission Dipstick Tube

[Roger D.]

Folks:

I'm restoring my 1972 Corvette 350/Auto Coupe. I searched past threads regarding the correct finish for the dipstick tube for the Turbo 400 auto transmission. Of course there is no mention of it in the 1972 judging guide (or at least my version of it).

Here is a link to one of the previous posts

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?61015-Paint-finish-72&highlight=transmission+dipstick+tube

One of the replies was from Terry McManmon:
"Oil dip stick and tube are NO paint. I believe the tube is tin plated over copper plate, and the oil dipstick is natural.

I think the transmission dipstick tube is plated a gray phosphate, but let's see what some others said about that one. That dipstick is also natural i believe."

I took my dipstick tube to a longtime Ft. Worth area plating shop yesterday to ask what they thought the finish was and if they could reproduce it. While they performed no scientific test to prove it, they said it looked like the maufacturer may have struck it first with copper and then applied a layer of tin.

Everyone please take this as just another opinion and not fact... Perhaps someone can have one metallurgically tested someday to document exactly what it is supposed to be. Then add it to an updated version of the Judging Guide.

Regards,
Roger

[Edward J.]

Re: 1972 Turbo 400 Transmission Dipstick Tube

Roger I am pretty sure that the tin coating sound correct on the tube, as I have had mine out and don't remember anything like paint on the tube It does appear like a almost natural color so Tin plating is looks like that after 40+ years.and the dip stick appears to be natural also.

[Roger D.]

Re: 1972 Turbo 400 Transmission Dipstick Tube

Thanks Edward. I appreciate the input. I was thinking about having the plating shop also tin the dipstick handle/cover but there is a rubber seal under the cover. I guess I will just clean it up to remove rust and then put some Gibbs Brand on it to keep it from rusting.