'65 Clutch Cross Shaft finish

[Gene T.]

I have searched in TIMJG to find whether the clutch cross shaft should have semi-gloss or gloss black. Which should it be ?

[Joe L.]

Re: '65 Clutch Cross Shaft finish

I have searched in TIMJG to find whether the clutch cross shaft should have semi-gloss or gloss black. Which should it be ?

Gene------


Neither. The cross shaft was zinc plated or galvanized.

[Gene T.]

Re: '65 Clutch Cross Shaft finish

Thanks Joe for your info !

[Terry M.]

Re: '65 Clutch Cross Shaft finish

Gene,
When restoring my '65 coupe (#5248, an early car), I found the clutch cross shaft to be galvanized. I was not expecting that. Kind of cool tho.

Terry

[Ron G.]

Re: '65 Clutch Cross Shaft finish

Joe,

I could be wrong, but I believe that it was not galvanized. Although, I am really not sure of the original finish. It could be zinc, but zinc is usually brighter. Again, not sure, but I have one sitting in my basement, and I now am thinking of bringing it to my plater here in Connecticut. After I do, I will re-visit this thread again and report my findings.

[Joe L.]

Re: '65 Clutch Cross Shaft finish

Joe,

I could be wrong, but I believe that it was not galvanized. Although, I am really not sure of the original finish. It could be zinc, but zinc is usually brighter. Again, not sure, but I have one sitting in my basement, and I now am thinking of bringing it to my plater here in Connecticut. After I do, I will re-visit this thread again and report my findings.

Ron-------


Hot dip galvanizing produces a somewhat "uneven" zinc finish. However, electro hot dip galvanizing produces a smooth finish virtually indistinguishable from electroplating. I'm fairly sure that the original cross shaft on my 1969 was either hot dip galvanized or electro hot dip galvanized Here is a photo of a portion of my shaft:

DSCN4051.jpg


I have NOS examples [none for sale] of all of the cross shafts used from 1963-1981. Here are some photos of the 3872962 (1965-66 big block) and the GM #3888279 (all 1967-81):

3872962


DSCN4049.jpgDSCN4048.jpg


GM #3888279


DSCN4047.jpg


If galvanized or electro galvanized, the coating has to be zinc. If electroplated, it could be zinc or cadmium. However, I've tested the finish material and its ZINC.

[Gene T.]

Re: '65 Clutch Cross Shaft finish

Thanks Terry and Joe. I cleaned my cross shaft up with kerosene and then lightly polished with a piece of Emory cloth.