69 fuel tank straps

[Chuck S.]

Re: 69 fuel tank straps

...I have to make the metal loop (under the body, one that goes over the drive shaft) natural instead of painted black...

Better double check your info on that item before you experience more frustration. If you are referring to the metal body reinforcement for the inner seat belt ends, it is zinc plated and not natural. In natural steel, that part wouldn't have lasted ten years in a rust belt car.

There is also a cable that connects the inner ends of the seat belts which is clamped to the frame crossmember...that cable is a different part from the body reinforcement, but it is also zinc plated.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 69 fuel tank straps

...When in doubt, follow my rule #2:
"Your car is more original than you think it is."
Ergo, what you see on your car may be correct no matter what the JG or the judge says...

OK, Patrick...Begs the question...What is your Rule #1? Or, is Rule #1 the same as #2 and #3, like in real estate, "location, location, location"?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 69 fuel tank straps

Better double check your info on that item before you experience more frustration. If you are referring to the metal body reinforcement for the inner seat belt ends, it is zinc plated and not natural. In natural steel, that part wouldn't have lasted ten years in a rust belt car.

There is also a cable that connects the inner ends of the seat belts which is clamped to the frame crossmember...that cable is a different part from the body reinforcement, but it is also zinc plated.

See below.
For 72, the reinforcement "loop" changed from zinc to a phosphate coating. We noted this a few years ago when comparing my 72 to a very original and very late 71. I "think" it may be zinc phosphate since it's not black.
Note that the outer seat belt reinforcement plates (lower potion of photo) are painted black.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 69 fuel tank straps

OK, Patrick...Begs the question...What is your Rule #1? Or, is Rule #1 the same as #2 and #3, like in real estate, "location, location, location"?

Rule #1 (of Corvette ownership and maintenance) was in a post 2 days ago.

Don't throw away any Corvette part.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 69 fuel tank straps

See below.
For 72, the reinforcement "loop" changed from zinc to a phosphate coating. We noted this a few years ago when comparing my 72 to a very original and very late 71. I "think" it may be zinc phosphate since it's not black.
Note that the outer seat belt reinforcement plates (lower potion of photo) are painted black.

I was unaware of that change for 72.

Most likely the later finish WAS phosphate; phosphate was cheaper than zinc plating and still provided some rust protection. Neither coating lasted forever, but zinc came much closer. Zinc can usually still be identified as originally zinc. Many phosphated parts are now easily confused for having been natural originally.

Many of the small underbody reinforcement plates on C3s were always phosphated, and not painted "semigloss black" as some think. I'm talking about SMALL reinforcements, and not the larger seat belt reinforcements you mentioned. Of course, restorers/judges would need to own a car, or observe a car, that spent most of it's life in the desert to know that now.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 69 fuel tank straps

Rule #1 (of Corvette ownership and maintenance) was in a post 2 days ago.

Don't throw away any Corvette part.

Of course...Shame on me for missing it.

I've become very selective about the topics I read about, or offering comment. In this case, I was pretty sure the straps were semigloss black, but my tank had been changed. If the subject has been covered by the experts and is non-controversial, I move on to other things. I must have filtered it out.

[Brad H.]

Re: 69 fuel tank straps

Thanks to everyone for the fuel tank strap discussion. I appreciate your knowledge and willingness to help!!
Brad Hood