AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

[Anthony L.]

AO Smith body

I've called myself searching, but could someone give me a definitive answer on the correct finish ( black dip, zinc chromate, plating?) for the underbody reinforcements for : inner and outer seatbelt reinforcements and body mount reinforcements please?

I get the forward seat underbody reinforcements are zinc chromate same as birdcage and the and the rear natural seat plates, but I am a bit dumbfounded on the seat belt and number four body reinforcements. My rear body behind the tank is for sure black and undisturbed. Also knowledge of the forward splash guard bracket would be nice

thanks as always

[Gene M.]

[Anthony L.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

thank you Mr. Manno. the "Looks not so good" is definitely present in my case. So are you saying that the body mounts were uncoated bare steel? and yes i have the presence of black out and undercoating, but any factory applied finish is long gone in my current situation. i have the brackets off and want to apply the correct finishes before reinstalling.

thanks for the help!

[Gene M.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

I suggest black paint so they are protected both sides and shoot undercoating over that once assembled. The mounts on the firewall bird cage rail are blacked out any way.

Upon disassembly of original body mounts there seemed to be no finish on the inside covered surfaces on AO Smith cars that I was involved with. I would have thought they would be green phosphate of some amount on inside surfaces but found none. The area under the original rivet heads should show any evidence of pre finish prior to assembly. There is another possibility that they were pre finished prior to shipment to AO Smith assembly line that did not hold up well.

[John M.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

My 1967 1 owner AO Smith seat plates are not green primer like the bird cage! They were black dipped at the factory! All I have read states that all AO Smith Body cars have just the green prime? I do not believe this to be true!!!

[Tom D.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

These were all first time removed from A 2082 (A O Smith body number) by me in 2019. I can see green "zinc chromate primer" on the surfaces that were flat against the fiberglass floor of this red coupe. I see this on the underfloor metal plates as well as the upper flat plates in the photo. I could not find any zinc chromate color on the "loop brackets" that held the rear of the seat frame.
I elected to paint the loops anyway, but still have the chance to make them another color. I don't want to leave them bare. 1965 RED Seat Plates & Loops - 1.jpeg

[Tom D.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

On the other hand, I have a hard time finding any green on this rear "bulk-head" support plate. It's just in front of a C2 fuel tank. Same car as above which is a 1965 A O Smith coupe. I should mention that a previous owner painted this area with something black, using a brush. (That happened more than 12 years ago.) I sanded and found no sign of green zinc chromate, but some red and/or red oxide over-spray up top. I think black paint (or nothing) was under the brushed on black goo. I just looked up from the bottom with a mirror, and the back-side is lightly rusted, not green. Might have to remove it to see all the back of it.

1965 Rear Bulkhead metal support.jpg

[Page C.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

Hi Tom,
Here's a picture of the rear bulkhead from my AO Smith coupe. It also painted black.The rest of the parts under the car are like yours. The AO Smith job number on the bulkhead is C348 1965 Blue-Black Coupe Bulkhead 003.jpg

[Tom D.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

Page: How about the underbody plates where the body mounts are? Please: What is your Vin or A O Smith body #?
Thanks.

[Page C.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

Anthony, Gene & Tom,
Here are a few more pictures of my AO Smith body. Also the the trim tag is D27 and the body # A-756. I agree with Gene on the seat belt brackets finish and the firewall and rear body mount. Those body mounts are covered in blackout at the firewall and blackout and undercoating in the rear. Saw no green paint finish on them. Also the core support had the same AO Smith job number on the bottom as the bulkhead. This might be because it's an air cond. car. Will add three more photos in the next post.



5-1-2008 026.jpg1965 Blue Blk Coupe Core Support #6 006.jpg1965 Blue Black Corvette Frame 001.jpgMarch 15, 2010 014.jpg

[Page C.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

Anthony, Gene & Tom.
Here are 3 more photos shifter boot bracket, header bar and forward seat bracket. March 15, 2010 017.jpgMarch 15, 2010 018.jpgMarch 15, 2010 020.jpg

[Page C.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

John,
The 1964-1966 AO Smith cars seat plates are thought to be green. The 1967 Corvettes seat plates are addressed in the 1967 Judging Guide Chassis section #14 Underbody and Fuel Tank on page 212. "(occasional instances of black reinforcements on AO Smith body cars have been observed)"

[James W.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

Does anyone have a picture of a unrestored radiator support on a '65 AO Smith body car? I'd like to see what black out should look like.


Thanks,

James

[Tom D.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

James: See above for a section of a rad. support from Page Campbell. I assume that area (with a number) is a front area.

I'm planning to only hit the backside (engine side) with black. This will be done after the green primer, and after re-installation.

I wold like to see more views of such a support also.

[James W.]

Re: AO Smith 1965 underbody reinforcements

I would like to get a full view picture if available.

James

James: See above for a section of a rad. support from Page Campbell. I assume that area (with a number) is a front area.

I'm planning to only hit the backside (engine side) with black. This will be done after the green primer, and after re-installation.

I wold like to see more views of such a support also.