1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

[Clark K.]

My 1965 L76 A/C coupe was chapter flight judged last April. Happily, the car took Chapter Top Flight (96.3%). In preparation for regional judging in October, I am correcting the numerous small items pointed out to me.

In April, the chassis section team deducted one originality point when judging the steering gear box. The notes written were: "s/n/b painted". I interpret this to read "should NOT be painted". Please let me know if I misunderstood the judge's notes. I have attached a photo of the gearbox in question.

The 1965 JG states: "The steering box is a natural finish casting or painted semi-gloss black. The degree of coverage may vary. Yellow daubs of paint are often found on original boxes."

I admit that I am no expert on original Corvette finishes. The gearbox in question is as it was when I bought it from ProTeam last November. To me, the gearbox is natural finish with the yellow paint daub. Here is my dilemma: What do the finish experts on this forum think I should do with the box? Thanks. -Clark

[Edward S.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

Clark,

I was getting tired of dealing with surface rust on mine - I called Team Leader Dale and asked his opinion, I was told that either was correct and if it was his car he would paint it to do away with the rust problem. I painted it and lost no points. You may want to check with Dale to make sure nothing has changed.

[Tom D.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

Clark: It appears (in your photo) that it may be painted grey or a typical "cast blast" color.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

Clark: It appears (in your photo) that it may be painted grey or a typical "cast blast" color.

My observation as well.
Yours is painted - but the wrong color.
Change it to black and you're good to go.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

I agree with the others. Give the top portion of the box a shot of semi gloss black from a shake-em-up can and it will look correct. The yellow stripe should be under the black.
The steering coupler was hit with the black also. Kind of hit and miss though.

[Rick S.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

I see slight differences in appearence between Clark's steering gear box and my 67 steering gear box with mine being natural but his looks natural to me.
Rick

[Tony S.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

I think the box started off with no black but after the blackout phase(s), the top got hit with some blackout paint. Just do yourself a favor and mist some black on the top of it. The three bolts that hold down your lid should be black anyway. The yellow inspection mark is between the natural finish and the blackout, so if you want to keep the appearance of the yellow inspection mark, govern your overspray accordingly.

[Henry S.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

I agree with the others. Give the top portion of the box a shot of semi gloss black from a shake-em-up can and it will look correct. The yellow stripe should be under the black.
The steering coupler was hit with the black also. Kind of hit and miss though.

Mike, Would this be the same for the 67's? Also with the yellow stripe, I thought there were just daubs around the cover area not a stripe? Of course I realize probably no 2 are alike. Anyone have other pictures? Mines natural and I'm also having problems with surface rust. Thanks

[Tony S.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

I have seen stripes, daubs, streaks, zigs and zags--you name it. It wasn't exactly color within the lines when the inspection paint was added.

[Jim W.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

Here is my original untouched ( I think ) 64 gearbox that sounds like what you have described. I think i'll just leave it alone because it's not rusting at all.

[John D.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

Clark,

I was getting tired of dealing with surface rust on mine - I called Team Leader Dale and asked his opinion, I was told that either was correct and if it was his car he would paint it to do away with the rust problem. I painted it and lost no points. You may want to check with Dale to make sure nothing has changed.

Ed, Isn't there a new 65 team leader? JD

[Michael H.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

Mike, Would this be the same for the 67's? Also with the yellow stripe, I thought there were just daubs around the cover area not a stripe? Of course I realize probably no 2 are alike. Anyone have other pictures? Mines natural and I'm also having problems with surface rust. Thanks

One of the most untouched original 67's I've ever seen is/was the well known red/black 7000 mile 435 car. (the same car that became even more famous for the bullet hole in the fender)
When the car was at Classic Motors in the 70's, it was absolutely untouched original and the engine/compartment had never been touched or cleaned.

The steering gear and coupler had a coating of chassis black. No paind ID stripe or marking visible.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

Here is my original untouched ( I think ) 64 gearbox that sounds like what you have described. I think i'll just leave it alone because it's not rusting at all.

I would say your partially covered steering gear is exactly what I would expect to see on a 40+ year old unrestored car. Looks like a little of the black has come off of the area around the yellow ID stripe.

Here's a cropped pic of a new early 66 chassis going down the St Louis assembly line just moments before body drop. The steering gear AND coupler have a coating of chassis black.
I know I've posted this pic in the past but I really like it so here it is again for the guys that aren't sure if it was supposed to be coated.
Looks like the coupler is coated on only one side?

[Alan D.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

Another un- restored 64 box after cleaning with Simple Green, not much yellow.

[Gary R.]

Re: 1965 Steering Gearbox Finish

I've done a lot of 63-82 boxes, many untouched. The yellow paint can vary from a dot to streak to full line as shown. The early boxes were natural and certainly will rust. The later boxes were painted with cheap flat black.

When doing a box for someone one question we go over is the finish required. Many who drive the car want more durability then offered by bare iron finish so they elect to go to a etch,base, top coat finish. Incorrect but better. Others have supplied me with clears they wanted used, again not correct but functional.

For the original boxes I blast and wheel them to clean iron and use clear spindle oil to help preserve them a short time. The oil brings out the natural iron very nice but it needs attention to keep it from rust.

I see a lot of correct boxes with poor lash and settings,many are sent to me after being "rebuilt" by someone else,but the internal work is terrible. Many times needing gear sets, but the finish sure looked good!

While looking at your boxes look at the lash screw to nut position. If there are not threads showing above the nut I would be more concerned with the internals then the finish- if you're going to drive the car. If you see 1-2 threads that may be ok and on center lash should have no play.

Good luck