Topic: 1968 GT 390 San Jose Correct Steering, Suspension, Brake & Fastener Finishes

[bullitt68]

I am looking or confirmation of finishes for the following components as I have read conflicting reports and seen photos showing different finishes and want to make sure that I get the right info. Also wondering if any of these parts have fasteners that would get red dye

Thanks

Lower Control Arms (Bare Metal Ends & Black Dipped)
Upper Control Arms (Bare Metal)
Upper Control Arm Shaft/Bolt  (Phosphate)
Upper Control Arm Shaft/Bolt Nuts (Silver Zinc)
Upper Control Arm Nuts Through Apron (Silver Zinc)
Coil Springs (Gloss Black with Yellow Green Paint daubs)
Strut Rods (Bare Metal)
Strut Rod Rubber Bushing Large Washers (Silver Zinc)
Strut Rod Rubber Bushing Nuts (Red, Purple or green Silver Zinc))
Strut Rod Nuts at Control Arm (Silver Zinc)
Upper Ball Joints  (Bare Metal)
Upper Ball Joint Nuts (Gold Cad)
Lower Ball Joints  (Bare Metal)
Lower Ball Joint Nuts (Gold Cad)
Ball Joint Rivets (Silver Zinc)
Spindle (Bare Metal)
Spindle Cap (Bare Metal)
Spindle Nut (Silver Zinc)
Rotor Backing Plates (Semi Gloss Black)
Callipers (Bare Metal)
Caliper Clips (Silver Zinc)
Caliper Cover (Silver Zinc)
Shocks (Semi Gloss Black)
Shock Nuts (Silver Zinc)
Shock Absorber Bracket (Phosphate or Semi Gloss Black)
Upper Control Arm Coil Spring Seat/Perch (Bare Metal)
Upper Control Arm Nuts & Washers  (Silver Zinc)
Lower Control Arm Bolts, Washers (Silver Zinc)
Brake Rotors (Silver Zinc)

Leaf Springs (Bare Metal)
Leaf Spring Shackles (Bare Metal)
Shackle Bolts (Phosphate)
Shackle Nuts (Silver Zinc)
Leaf Spring Bucket Bolts (Phosphate)
Leaf Spring Bucket Nuts (Silver Zinc)
Leaf Spring Banding (Bare Metal)
Shocks (Semi Gloss Black)
Shock Nuts Upper (Silver Zinc)
Shock Nuts Lower (Silver Zinc)
Lower Shock Plates (Bare Metal)
Rear Brake Line Junction Block (Yellow Brass)
Rear Brake Drums (Bare Metal)
Axle Lug Nuts (Bare Metal)

[RoyceP]

One could probably type a paragraph on each of those items and not approach the knowledge that you could have by just searching this site and looking at all that has been displayed in photos and words. You are going to have to search using the proper spelling, much of what you typed has grammatical errors which will cause you to not find anything useful. For example spindal is an error, calliper etc. Spell check is your friend.

[67gta289]

+1  most of these items have already been discussed at length, many with excellent pictures. 

[bullitt68]

One could probably type a paragraph on each of those items and not approach the knowledge that you could have by just searching this site and looking at all that has been displayed in photos and words. You are going to have to search using the proper spelling, much of what you typed has grammatical errors which will cause you to not find anything useful. For example spindal is an error, calliper etc. Spell check is your friend.

I have updated the list with what I was able to deduce, but more confirmation is required. I have been thrown off by mistakenly referencing Shelbys. Please advise if there are any glaring errors.

Thanks

Lower Control Arms (Unpainted Ends & Black Dipped)
Upper Control Arms (Unpainted)
Upper Control Arm Shaft/Bolt  (Phosphate)
Upper Control Arm Shaft/Bolt Nuts (Silver Zinc)
Upper Control Arm Nuts Through Apron (Silver Zinc)
Coil Springs (Gloss Black with Yellow Green Paint daubs)
Strut Rods (Unpainted)
Strut Rod Rubber Bushing Large Washers (Silver Zinc)
Strut Rod Rubber Bushing Nuts (Red, Purple or green Silver Zinc))
Strut Rod Nuts at Control Arm (Silver Zinc)
Upper Ball Joints  (Bare Metal)
Upper Ball Joint Nuts (Gold Cad)
Lower Ball Joints  (Unpainted)
Lower Ball Joint Nuts (Gold Cad)
Ball Joint Rivets (Silver Zinc)
Spindle (Unpainted)
Spindle Cap (Unpaintedl)
Spindle Nut (Silver Zinc)
Rotor Backing Plates (Semi Gloss Black)
Callipers (Bare Metal)
Caliper Clips (Silver Zinc)
Caliper Cover (Silver Zinc)
Shocks (Semi Gloss Black)
Shock Nuts (Silver Zinc)
Shock Absorber Bracket (Phosphate or Semi Gloss Black)
Upper Control Arm Coil Spring Seat/Perch (Unpaintedl)
Upper Control Arm Nuts & Washers  (Silver Zinc)
Lower Control Arm Bolts, Washers (Silver Zinc)
Brake Rotors (Silver Zinc)

Leaf Springs (Unpaintedl)
Leaf Spring Shackles (Unpainted)
Shackle Bolts (Phosphate)
Shackle Nuts (Silver Zinc)
Leaf Spring Bucket Bolts (Phosphate)
Leaf Spring Bucket Nuts (Silver Zinc)
Leaf Spring Banding (Unpainted)
Shocks (Semi Gloss Black)
Shock Nuts Upper (Silver Zinc)
Shock Washers Upper
Shock Nuts Lower (Silver Zinc)
Shock Washers Lower
Lower Shock Plates (Bare Metal)
Rear Brake Line Junction Block (Yellow Brass)
Rear Brake Drums (Unpainted)
Axle Lug Nuts (Unpainted)

[Bob Gaines]

I have updated the list with what I was able to deduce, but more confirmation is required. I have been thrown off by mistakenly referencing Shelbys. Please advise if there are any glaring errors.

Thanks

Lower Control Arms (Natural Ends & Black Dipped)
Upper Control Arms (Semi Gloss Black)
Upper Control Arm Shaft/Bolt  (Phosphate)
Upper Control Arm Shaft/Bolt Nuts (Zinc Cad)
Upper Control Arm Nuts Through Apron (Zinc Cad)
Coil Springs (Gloss Black with Yellow Green Paint daubs)
Strut Rods (Natural)
Strut Rod Rubber Bushing Large Washers (Natural)
Strut Rod Rubber Bushing Nuts (Red, Purple or green Zinc Cad))
Strut Rod Nuts at Control Arm (Zinc Cad)
Upper Ball Joints  (Natural)
Upper Ball Joint Nuts (Gold Cad)
Lower Ball Joints  (Natural)
Lower Ball Joint Nuts (Gold Cad)
Ball Joint Rivets (Zinc Cad)
Spindle (Natural)
Spindle Cap (Natural)
Spindle Nut (Zinc Cad)
Rotor Backing Plates (Semi Gloss Black)
Callipers (Natural)
Caliper Clips (Natural)
Caliper Cover (Zinc Cad)
Shocks (Semi Gloss Black)
Shock Nuts (Zinc Cad)
Shock Absorber Bracket (Phosphate or Semi Gloss Black)
Upper Control Arm Coil Spring Seat/Perch (Natural)
Upper Control Arm Nuts & Washers  (Zinc Cad)
Lower Control Arm Bolts, Washers (Zinc Cad)
Brake Rotors (Natural)

Leaf Springs (Natural)
Leaf Spring Shackles (Natural)
Shackle Bolts (Phosphate)
Shackle Nuts (Zinc Cad)
Leaf Spring Bucket Bolts (Phosphate)
Leaf Spring Bucket Nuts (Zinc Cad)
Leaf Spring Banding (Natural)
Shocks (Semi Gloss Black)
Shock Nuts Upper (Zinc Cad)
Shock Nuts Lower (Zinc Cad)
Lower Shock Plates (Natural)
Rear Brake Line Junction Block (Yellow Brass)
Rear Brake Drums (Natural)
Axle Lug Nuts (Natural)

A couple things that are glaring .Upper Control Arms (bare steel ) .Ball Joint Rivets (phosphate). The word natural does not fully describe the different bare metal looks . A good example is the rear leaf springs,  from the factory the description natural does not explain the dark spring steel look they typically have. Although some things were Cadmium plated more were zinc plated.  I believe some of the finish's would be better described as zinc chromate gold (zinc dichromate) , zinc silver . I'll let others catch the rest.

[bullitt68]

A couple things that are glaring .Upper Control Arms (bare steel ) .Ball Joint Rivets (phosphate). The word natural does not fully describe the different bare metal looks . A good example is the rear leaf springs,  from the factory the description natural does not explain the dark spring steel look they typically have. Although some things were Cadmium plated more were zinc plated.  I believe some of the finish's would be better described as zinc chromate gold (zinc dichromate) , zinc silver . I'll let others catch the rest.

Great thanks Bob I agree regarding the natural description too. I will continue to research and note corrections. Eventually I hope to have a comprehensive list for reference as it is a lot of digging to get to the bottom of every part on the car

[J_Speegle]

Whittling away a few at a time but agree that your falling into the old mindset when "natural" only meant "unpainted" and does not fully describe the final look of the item. Some of us have spent many years trying to wordsmith rules and descriptions like your doing. Lots of fun 

Coil Springs (Gloss Black with Yellow Green Paint daubs) This would be incorrect (paint marks) if the viewer had possibly a different body style or options. None are mentioned in the title or in a forward for your list.

Shock Absorber Bracket (Phosphate or Semi Gloss Black) -

Spindle Cap (Natural) - Not sure what this part is


The following have multiple "finishes" Some because they are made up of multiple pieces while others have a combination of finishes (machined and case for example) on the same part

Spindle (Natural)
Upper Control Arm Coil Spring Seat/Perch (Natural)
Brake Rotors (Natural)
Rear Brake Drums (Natural)

Might want to include the washers with the following
Shocks (Semi Gloss Black)
Shock Nuts Upper (Zinc Cad)
Shock Nuts Lower (Zinc Cad)

[bullitt68]

Whittling away a few at a time but agree that your falling into the old mindset when "natural" only meant "unpainted" and does not fully describe the final look of the item. Some of us have spent many years trying to wordsmith rules and descriptions like your doing. Lots of fun 

Coil Springs (Gloss Black with Yellow Green Paint daubs) This would be incorrect (paint marks) if the viewer had possibly a different body style or options. None are mentioned in the title or in a forward for your list.

Shock Absorber Bracket (Phosphate or Semi Gloss Black) -

Spindle Cap (Natural) - Not sure what this part is


The following have multiple "finishes" Some because they are made up of multiple pieces while others have a combination of finishes (machined and case for example) on the same part

Spindle (Natural)
Upper Control Arm Coil Spring Seat/Perch (Natural)
Brake Rotors (Natural)
Rear Brake Drums (Natural)

Might want to include the washers with the following
Shocks (Semi Gloss Black)
Shock Nuts Upper (Zinc Cad)
Shock Nuts Lower (Zinc Cad)

 Thanks Jeff I got that info from a chart that specified those paint daubs for 1968 Fastback, with no AC & big block. I have been told that the coil springs should be unpainted. Perhaps I should update my list to unpainted as the description instead of natural or bare metal. FYI I have check several resources for Mustang restoration and it looks like many of the sources are not accurate, which is why I am double checking here

[J_Speegle]

Thanks Jeff I got that info from a chart that specified those paint daubs for 1968 Fastback, with no AC & big block.

Yes I remember your other threads and can cross reference or remember those discussions but someone just happening across this single thread would not known all the details and might assume that the information automatically could be applied to their similar but not exactly the same car and make a mistake in doing so. Just thought all the details should be included in/with the list

I have been told that the coil springs should be unpainted.

That is what I've found and what we were told by the workers at and the people that laid out the San Jose plant

FYI I have check several resources for Mustang restoration and it looks like many of the sources are not accurate, which is why I am double checking here

Yep plenty of opinions and info that has been out there for now over 20 years.

[bullitt68]

Yes I remember your other threads and can cross reference or remember those discussions but someone just happening across this single thread would not known all the details and might assume that the information automatically could be applied to their similar not not exactly the same car and make a mistake in doing so. Just thought all the details should be included in/with the list

That is what I've found and what we were told by the workers at and the people that laid out the San Jose plant

Yep plenty of opinions and info that has been out there for now over 20 years.

Thanks Jeff

[mungus]

Dear Jeff / Bob,

Can I ask what on that list differs for my March 68’ Metuchen GT390 FB?
Hoping it’s all the same as it’s a very useful list indeed.

Although it’s been hard to find anything definitive re paint daubs.
The only big block Metuchen spring paint daubs I have are from coralsnake.

Thanks,

Hugh (mungus)

[Bob Gaines]

Dear Jeff / Bob,

Can I ask what on that list differs for my March 68’ Metuchen GT390 FB?
Hoping it’s all the same as it’s a very useful list indeed.

Although it’s been hard to find anything definitive re paint daubs.
The only big block Metuchen spring paint daubs I have are from coralsnake.

Thanks,

Hugh (mungus)

They are typically all of the same with the exception of the upper shock bracket is PO coated instead of semi black for SJ cars.

[mungus]

Thanks Bob

[mungus]

While we are on this topic, how about sway bars? I didn't notice them mentioned in the list.

I have seen a Gold winning 68' GT' with a black bar with one green daub (SBF), but I’ve also seen one in natural steel (maybe phosphate and oil?) finish on its sway bar.

Mine is the standard 390GT 7/8" bar, but its been repainted - black. Daubs gone.

So just what finish should a 68' 390GT sway bar have then?

Perhaps worth including SJ and NJ?

[ruppstang]

Typically I see black semi gloss black on them from all plants.