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[Michael A.]

Hi,
I am a long time NCRS member just joining this group. I am in the middle of restoring 56 corvette ser. no. 10. I know some of the folks in this forum and am glad to see that it is here. Looks like I have missed a lot of opportunities to get info thru the years. I have a quick question for today. I have recently seen the center section on solid axle cars painted black, it has always been might understanding that they should be red oxide. The original in my car still has all the factory paint marks on it and paint is red oxide. Will the folks who will be judging my car when it is finished please clear this up for me? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer on this subject. Later Mike Anderson (317)729-2418 fleagle14@embarqmail.com

[Dennis C.]

newly signed in to forum. thanks to all in advance

Welcome to the NCRS TDB... Lots of help and knowledge here.
I have little experience in the ways of judging, but have never witnessed a red oxide painted rear end that I felt came from St Louis that way. But, I could be mistaken.
Hope you enjoy your time on this board. I know I do. Best, Dennis

[Michael A.]

Re: newly signed in to forum. thanks to all in advance

Thanks for your quick reply Dennis. My reason for asking the question is that this car has never been apart and has been off the road since 1967.When I took the center section out of the rearend I was very careful to preserve all markings. I washed the case with mineral spirits to save inspection marks. They are all intact and very clear. All dates and build and assy. times are exact for the car so I am sure it has not been changed. The finish on the housing is definately red oxide, all that I washed off was grease. There are many different inspection stripes on it in several colors. I can take a photo and display it here if some of the judges would like to look at it. My reason for this dispute is that I really would rather leave the housing alone and not repaint it. I believe it is a true example of what was installed on early 56 cars. I have been involved in many 56-57 chevy restorations and they have red oxide finished center sections. My only reason for believing this is correct for this car is that the ratio stamped is 3:27 to 1 which is only a corvette ratio. It was not used in passenger cars. I would appreciate any other discussion on this matter. I am ready to install the rearend in the chassis and would like to do it properly the first time if you know what I mean. Thanks to all in advance. Later Mike Anderson (317)729-2418

[Gary C.]

Re: newly signed in to forum. thanks to all in advance

Mike,

About 10 years or maybe longer ago rear oxide rear axle pumpkins were discussed. Conclusion was from several old NCRS members who had worked at several different Chev pass car plants that some of the pass car housings could've been red oxide. Have looked at several '56 Bowtie (non-restored original) Corvettes over the years including a 2,000 mi car and none of them had red oxide rear axle pumpkins.

It would be great if you could post all of the numbers from the rear axle pumpkin housing; stamped and cast and some photos including the markings referred to.

Thanks,

Gary
....
p.s. welcome to the TDB forum!

[Dennis C.]

newly signed in to forum. thanks to all in advance

Michael, As an afterthought, as long as you feel there is even a remote chance the rear end came in red oxide, I'd certainly leave it that way, regardless of what a judge might say. In any case, the point deduction would be so tiny, you'd probably have a hard time finding it on a score sheet. Best, Dennis

[Michael A.]

Re: newly signed in to forum. thanks to all in advance

Hi Guy's,

Here are the numbers, castings and stampings for the rearend. I have the photos showing all markings and colors to post. Someone will need to coach me thru that process, I am not familiar with the system yet.

1. casting part no. 3707306
2. casting date L275
3. Assembly stamping AD 104
4. ratio on pinion face 11:36 converting to 3:27-1

Again housing is red oxide, all attaching nuts had white paint mark next to them. There are numerous other yellow, blue and white paint markings. They are well displayed in the photos. Please help me list them.
Thanks again in advance Mike Anderson If someone wants to e-mail me at fleagle14@embarqmail.com I will forward the photos to them for easier listing.

[Stuart F.]

Re: newly signed in to forum. thanks to all in advance

Mike;

Your pictures came through fine. Back in the day I have seen pumpkins with the red oxcide paint, but can't recall if was on new (from factory) or replacement center sections. I dealt a lot with both as a drag racer as we changed them quite often using many new replacement assemblies. At worst, it may be a replacement, but so what. I would stick with it as is and take the small points deduction.

Stu Fox

[Gary C.]

Re: newly signed in to forum. thanks to all in advance

Mike, thanks for posting numbers and photos. Very interesting indeed. Don't quite understand the casting no. and assembly stamping relationship:
2. casting date L275 - Nov or Dec 27, 1955 depending upon if I was used for a month or not
3. Assembly stamping AD 104 - Oct 4 assembly date?
As Dennis recommends, leave the finish alone as the original markings are quiet interesting. Usually expect to see the snout painted with more yellow all the way around and not white. Unless in 56 that meant non-hy torque (posi) rear end. Been trying to figure the yellow and white paint reasons out for a while.
Any other thoughts out there on the dates? Gary....
p.s. Welcome to the TDB! Recommend use of the Year Model icons as it makes searching the archives much easier.

[Rob M.]

Re: newly signed in to forum. thanks to all in advance

3. Assembly stamping AD 104 - Oct 4 assembly date?

Gary,

Couldn't this be Jan 04, that would make more sense...

greetings,
Rob.

[Gary C.]

Re: newly signed in to forum. thanks to all in advance

Rob, 104 could be Jan 04. Don't recall previously seeing a "0" used as the first number for a day, but anything's possible. Gary....

[Roy B.]

Re: newly signed in to forum. thanks to all in advance

Restoring number 10 such a early 56 is not a easy thing to do , almost everything is first design , nothing like a later 56 , good luck and hope we can all help under your hood area ? Vary close to a late 55

[Michael A.]

Re: newly signed in to forum. thanks to all in advance

Hi again,
Thanks to all for their inputs. I think I will do as suggested and install as is without any further painting. If it does not hold up to judging I will have a decision to make before 2nd judging. As far as underhood I will probably be looking for further advice. Most of the cars I have done in the past were not to be finished to the extent I would like to do this car. I have been involved with this car since 1975 and have the bill of sale for it from the junk yard in 1967. The car literally has not seen daylight since 1967. I have mostly everything under control for the driveline and underhood. A lot of years collecting NOS parts for this car. If any of you remember the display engine from San Antonio a couple of years ago I was involved in that and what goes in this car will be at least to that standard. Looking forward to completing the car and trying to get it right. Probably at least two more years. Body is in the works right now.
Later Mike (317)729-2418