Topic: 67 steering gear box finishes

[67gta289]

I'm rebuilding my early 67 steering gear box, 1" sector shaft, short column shaft, for tilt application.  I've looked through various posts using the search feature and am looking for advice on the finish, or probably better stated finishes, for the gear box.

What I've found thus far is from a 69-70 post (http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=1017.msg5240#msg5240)

1. The body could be done in phosphate. There is also a link to Charles' blog which refers to phosphate and oil (http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=1794.msg9606#msg9606)

2. Zinc or bare steel bottom cap

3. Dark heat treated adjustment and attachment (to rag joint) shafts

4. Cover is bare new steel with dark (phosphate or heat treated cover bolts.)

5. Tag is bare steel

6. Upper sheet metal nut is zinc

There was a post with 68 info, a little closer to home, but no pics (http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=1904.msg9725#msg9725)

So the question is this - is the information above accurate for the box I'm doing?

I can say that the above item 4 cover does not look like bare new steel.  After coming out of evaporust the inside, protected by the grease, looks to be a pretty shiny finish, perhaps zinc.  Even from the top side you can see the finish under where the bolt heads were.

[Bob Gaines]

I'm rebuilding my early 67 steering gear box, 1" sector shaft, short column shaft, for tilt application.  I've looked through various posts using the search feature and am looking for advice on the finish, or probably better stated finishes, for the gear box.

What I've found thus far is from a 69-70 post (http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=1017.msg5240#msg5240)

1. The body could be done in phosphate. There is also a link to Charles' blog which refers to phosphate and oil (http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=1794.msg9606#msg9606)

2. Zinc or bare steel bottom cap

3. Dark heat treated adjustment and attachment (to rag joint) shafts

4. Cover is bare new steel with dark (phosphate or heat treated cover bolts.)

5. Tag is bare steel

6. Upper sheet metal nut is zinc

There was a post with 68 info, a little closer to home, but no pics (http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=1904.msg9725#msg9725)

So the question is this - is the information above accurate for the box I'm doing?

I can say that the above item 4 cover does not look like bare new steel.  After coming out of evaporust the inside, protected by the grease, looks to be a pretty shiny finish, perhaps zinc.  Even from the top side you can see the finish under where the bolt heads were.

I think the info is accurate and applicable to your 67.  There may be a anomaly out there but typically the top plate is bare steel.

[J_Speegle]

I think the info is accurate and applicable to your 67.  There may be a anomaly out there but typically the top plate is bare steel.

+1

Not sold on the idea that originally the cast iron steering box was P & O but its one choice you could make during a restoration to reproduce an acceptable and nice look to the box. Sort of like P & O on spindles or a arms IMHO

[Bob Gaines]

+1

Not sold on the idea that originally the cast iron steering box was P & O but its one choice you could make during a restoration to reproduce an acceptable and nice look to the box. Sort of like P & O on spindles or a arms IMHO

I am of the same opinion on the P+O for the body however it does give a similar look to cast iron and in this case it is much more maintenance friendly.

[specialed]

don't the top of gearbox get blackened out ?

[ruppstang]

Ed you beat me to it, I believe that it does. 

[Bob Gaines]

Shouldnt paint markings (like black out) be in another thread to make it easier for future searches ?

[196667Bob]

Could someone elaborate on your meaning of "blackened" or "black" out ? (I will be "doing" my Tilt Steering box too in the near future).

That being said, while it may be wise to put in another thread also, I feel that it deserves a place here also as it is part of the answer to John's original question. Just my opinion.

Bob

[67gta289]

There are several other posts discussing black out, and a few that discuss various paint marks.  But they cover various years and plants.  My plan was to expand into these questions once the dust settled on the basic finish questions   

[J_Speegle]

don't the top of gearbox get blackened out ?

Not all cars were - just some (at San Jose at least)  Not sure what the pattern is. Only small block and 6 cylinder or something else?

Plenty of examples of ones that were and were not

There are several other posts discussing black out, and a few that discuss various paint marks.  But they cover various years and plants.  My plan was to expand into these questions once the dust settled on the basic finish questions

Agreed a good thing to start in another thread as a follow up though if one was blacked out its going to make much of the paint mark discussion moot

[gtamustang]

Like Jeff, my experience has led me to believe the cast iron part of steering box was just cast iron without any phosphate treatment. I am on board with all of the other findings that Charles posted on his restoration blog. Also, I have found sloppy factory inspection/assembly yellow paint markings on the top to side. Charles also has documented black pain brushed on the assembled box as well.

Regards,
Pete Morgan

[CharlesTurner]

What I've done in the past is do a quick 30s dunk in manganese phosphate to give the steering box natural appearance a bit of darkening.  Then rub out with oil and steel wool.

[Bossbill]

It also looks like the very large stamped steel lock nut on the long shaft side is natural.

My steel plug, which looks like a convex disc soft plug, was expanded to lock it in with 3 rather sharp and deep center punch marks.

 I see drip runs from black paint and only a small yellow daub on the box. Pics when I get on the shop computer.