Topic: steeing box detailsr

[MyRed66GT]

While cleaning up the steering box to send in for rebuild I noticed the typical black painted top of the steering box. There is a blue paint mark on the top of the box, which looks painted over by the black paint. The bottom of the pitman arm had a big blob of white paint on it. No black paint. I've seen pictures of a restored steering box, and the black paint looked glossy in comparison the the engine compartment. My question: gloss or semi-gloss black?

[CharlesTurner]

I've been using a semi-gloss to black out the tops of the steering boxes.  If you're referring to the pic on my blog that shows this, it was taken when the paint wasn't quite dry and also the camera flash makes it looks more glossy.

[MyRed66GT]

After cleaning mine the black appeared to be semi-gloss. There also seemed to be a lot more remnants of black than the one shown in your pics.

[astat1]

What years are you referring to for the "blackout"? I am awaiting my box restoration from Stangers on my 69. If the blacking out apply's to 69's can someone post a photo? Thanks

[Texas Swede]

Was the black out made with the tag attached?
Texas Swede

[CharlesTurner]

Was the black out made with the tag attached?
Texas Swede

On the ones I have seen that I believe were originally blacked out, they had the paint applied after they were assembled... tag and all.

[J_Speegle]

What years are you referring to for the "blackout"? I am awaiting my box restoration from Stangers on my 69. If the blacking out apply's to 69's can someone post a photo? Thanks

As far as I know the black out of the steering boxes is something that has been found on some of the early (read 64-66) cars

[Texas Swede]

Thanks Charles and Jeff,
I am reading you that not all cars got this black out, is that correct?
It's almost 20 years since I restored my 65 Shelby and
I don't remember if the steering box was blacked out or not
before disassembly. Have to look at old pictures and try to find out.
Texas Swede

[CharlesTurner]

In my opinion, this was a common practice in 65-66, but unfortunately, nobody pays attention to this detail and with the first engine bay re-paint, the detail usually gets lost as folks hardly ever remove a steering box when freshening up an engine bay.

[sparky65]

Here are some pictures from my steering box from a 67 I6 Coupe built in Metuchen on Oct 26, 1966.  Notice the tag is painted.  For those interested I cleaned the tag and this is what I found:
SMB B
6K21 B
The paint on the top is flaking off very easy so i expect there was more there.  It was also very thick and bubbly.

[J_Speegle]

Thanks Charles and Jeff,
I am reading you that not all cars got this black out, is that correct?
It's almost 20 years since I restored my 65 Shelby and
I don't remember if the steering box was blacked out or not
before disassembly. Have to look at old pictures and try to find out.
Texas Swede

On 64-66 San Jose cars I have not often seen them blacked out - IMHO this is something (like the horn wire blackout) that was done/tried for a period and not something done on all of them. Have not tracked these so I've not been able to place a start and end date on this detail as of yet.

Do agree with Charles in that this is a detail that if was originally there on the car is often attributed to a PO with some black paint or a detail shop at a used car lot (whick would look very different) and often does not get replaced if found


sparky65

Please remind everyone (or just modify your post) of when and where that car was built so that it can be placed in the correct historical light

Thanks