72 Tie Rod Sleeves finish

[Edward J.]

looking through the archives for the correct finish on the tie rod sleeves, it is either, natural of black painted , was there a black out operation on the sleeves, or should I just leave natural ?thanks Ed

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Tie Rod Sleeves finish

looking through the archives for the correct finish on the tie rod sleeves, it is either, natural of black painted , was there a black out operation on the sleeves, or should I just leave natural ?thanks Ed

Ed,

The longer (than the TIM&JG) story is that the entire steering linkage was gaged (set to length) at Saginaw (I think in Buffalo, but Joe Lucia & John Hinckley know where for sure) and coated with some slimly stuff that looked like dirty Cosmoline. If you were a good "waxer," like so many of us, all that preservative came off. I don't think anyone who ever saw that stuff would think of it as "paint" in their worst nightmares.

You think the "debate" over the exterior finish is something to watch. Try putting on something like that original stuff Saginaw put on there, and see what happens on the judging field -- if you have the courage to take the car that far. Every once in a while we come across a Bowtie car with the remnants of that stuff still on it. I wish I knew what it was, and where to get some. I could have a lot of fun if I knew the product and source.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Tie Rod Sleeves finish

Terry , I seem to remember that coating on a few of the cars when assembled at the factory, kind of almost a brown ,oil wax based substance. now the question is what could you even use. Cosmoline might be correct. I did prep many cars in my days at the gm dealerships.

[Dennis S.]

Re: 72 Tie Rod Sleeves finish

Ed, you might consider spraying CRC SP-400 Corrosion Inhibitor on your cleaned sleeves. It leaves a yellowish film that is sticky at first, but dries somewhat over time. The beautiful thing about it is you can remove it any time with any solvent...like right before the judging field. It can be re-applied afterwards, or touched-up annually, by spraying some on a rag and wiping over all your natural bare metal parts. I've seen it used on a '67 L88 that has been rust free since '91. I decided on this route before spraying any paint or clear satin sealer on bare metal parts, where it doesn't belong.

[John H.]

Re: 72 Tie Rod Sleeves finish

Ed, you might consider spraying CRC SP-400 Corrosion Inhibitor on your cleaned sleeves. It leaves a yellowish film that is sticky at first, but dries somewhat over time.

Dennis -

"CorrosionX" is a similar product, and "CorrosionX HD" is similar, but more durable.