Topic: 69 power steering pump bracket

[Stangly]

Can anybody clarify what color the mounting bracket should be Iv'e seen natural and ford blue.

69 Dearborn
302 2-V

[Andrew@MagMustangs]

The Cradle Bracket that mounts it to the motor? It should be Natural Aluminum.

[J_Speegle]

Adjusting/face bracket semi-gloss black

Saddle bracket bare/natural aluminum as mentioned above

[Stangly]

How about the adjusting bracket or at least I think that is what it is called , it appears to be plate steel.

[Bob Gaines]

How about the adjusting bracket or at least I think that is what it is called , it appears to be plate steel.

A lot of observations have been made of some but not all 69 Dearborn examples of the P/S steel bracket being zinc phosphate plated instead of painted. It could look to be plate steel if the zinc phosphate wore off because of time and environment. This is contrary to the painted way that we typically see the brackets found in other plants in 69 as well as other years regardless of engine size. Because of these observations I personally wouldn't think much about if I saw it ether way in a concours venue knowing it was a Dearborn car. However you might met some resistance as the bare metal finish on this part is not widely accepted . You will have to make the choice to paint or not paint knowing if you don't you will most likely have to explain your choice .  I hope this post helps you make a informed decision for what will be best for you.  At the very least I would document the unpainted  bracket for future reference for yourself and others. Bob

[J_Speegle]

How about the adjusting bracket or at least I think that is what it is called , it appears to be plate steel.

As mentioned and shown in the post above semi-gloss black. Have not seen the bare ones yet though will continue to look for them on 69 Dearborn at Bob's suggestion

[Stangly]

Sorry guys I think I have caused some confusion with my hasty review of Jeff's comments.  I didn't notice the red arrow pointing to the bracket in the photo.  I work as a structural engineering detailer and refer to everything that's not cast as plate steel regardless of the finish.  The face bracket had blue paint on it that came off very easy just with solvent, almost flaky.  I didn't see any evidence of any other color underneath the blue.  The bare metal looked like it could of been phosphate.  Wonder if some one did some touch up at one time and sprayed over it.  The alternator bracket also had silver paint on top of black and it also came off very easy.  Thanks for the help I really appreciate all the great advice.

[68 S Code]

Sounds like the paint which came off easily was lacquer rattle can paint. If you use lacquer thinner based sollvent it will wrinkle and flake off easily. Sounds like someone was trying to pretty up an engine in the past. Cured enamel paint does not react this way typically however i've noticed that parts like pulleys which may have been originally dipped in a thinned down black paint flake off if allowed to sit in evaporust for an extended period of time.