C2 Idler Arm finish

[Alan Drake]

Cleaning up an Idler Arm for my 64 and notice what appears to be some left over "Blackout Paint" on shaft which bolts to frame. Was the entire arm hit with blackout or just part?? Looking for how factory handled it.
Thanks Alan

[Stephen L.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm finish

IMHO..... "Blackout" was performed on the body, not the frame and suspension.
When blackout was performed the body had not met up with the chassis, so there wouldn't be blackout on chassis components.

[Stephen L.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm finish

IMHO..... "Blackout" was performed on the body, not the frame and suspension.
When blackout was performed the body had not met up with the chassis, so there wouldn't be blackout on chassis components.

[Dan H.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm finish

Alan, my 64 I did a body off on in 79 had all sorts of 'tar based' el cheapo blackout sprayed in a direction that took place before the body was on. It was on the top of the front stabilizer bar and links, on top of some of the rear brakelines, driveshaft and half shafts, a very random last minute blackout procedure. Wouldn't doubt the GM craftsmen hit your idler arm too!!!
Dan

[Dan H.]

Re: C2 Idler Arm finish

Alan, my 64 I did a body off on in 79 had all sorts of 'tar based' el cheapo blackout sprayed in a direction that took place before the body was on. It was on the top of the front stabilizer bar and links, on top of some of the rear brakelines, driveshaft and half shafts, a very random last minute blackout procedure. Wouldn't doubt the GM craftsmen hit your idler arm too!!!
Dan

[Alan Drake]

Re: C2 Blackout in Rear

Dan,
While on the rear end - mine was all black. there are many production line pictures for 63 showing an entire blackout rear end assembly. Have not been able to get some 64 pictures, however many ex GM workers have verified the rear end area was assembled as a unit with blackout covering everything. That process changed in 65 due to not wanting to cover the disk brake area.

I strongly suspect the front steering may have also been an assembly, but not sure if idler arm was on the assembly or ?
Thanks for feedback.

[Alan Drake]

Re: C2 Blackout in Rear

Dan,
While on the rear end - mine was all black. there are many production line pictures for 63 showing an entire blackout rear end assembly. Have not been able to get some 64 pictures, however many ex GM workers have verified the rear end area was assembled as a unit with blackout covering everything. That process changed in 65 due to not wanting to cover the disk brake area.

I strongly suspect the front steering may have also been an assembly, but not sure if idler arm was on the assembly or ?
Thanks for feedback.

[John H.]

Re: C2 Blackout in Rear

Alan -

The steering linkage was manufactured at Chevrolet-Buffalo, and the assembly was painted there with cheap, sticky black chassis blackout paint before it went into a gondola and was shipped to St. Louis. It consisted of the relay rod, left and right tie rod assemblies, steering idler arm, and the pitman arm (except on power steering linkages - the unique P/S pitman arm was installed at St. Louis, and was unpainted).

[John H.]

Re: C2 Blackout in Rear

Alan -

The steering linkage was manufactured at Chevrolet-Buffalo, and the assembly was painted there with cheap, sticky black chassis blackout paint before it went into a gondola and was shipped to St. Louis. It consisted of the relay rod, left and right tie rod assemblies, steering idler arm, and the pitman arm (except on power steering linkages - the unique P/S pitman arm was installed at St. Louis, and was unpainted).

[Alan Drake]

Thank You! That makes sense since

That explains why the arm is in such good shape relative to no rust damage after 40 years. I also found some yellow paint (3/8" wide) on the side going to the bottom of joint at the frame end of the arm. Again, if blackout was not there to protect it - bet it would be gone.
Thanks all.

[Alan Drake]

Thank You! That makes sense since

That explains why the arm is in such good shape relative to no rust damage after 40 years. I also found some yellow paint (3/8" wide) on the side going to the bottom of joint at the frame end of the arm. Again, if blackout was not there to protect it - bet it would be gone.
Thanks all.