Plating Various 1970 Chevelle Steering Shaft Parts

[blackls6]

I'm restoring my steering shaft parts need to know the various platings?
Rag joint and metal bracket, bolts, nuts; flange plus bolt; main shaft; flange that bolts to column, collar, nut, bolt!
Thanks! John

[SS427]

John,
This is the way I generally have found them with some exceptions noted;
Main shaft-usually semi gloss black, very rarely but I have seen natural bonderized steel.
Coupler at steering column-semi gloss black or black oxide (dull)
clamp-semi gloss black or black zinc (shinny)
Clamp bolt-black oxide (dull)
nut-zinc
Rag joint housing-natural cast iron
12 point locking bolts-black oxide (dull)
Metal strap-natural steel (I zinc plate mine for longevity)
Larger diameter threaded bolt attaching both halves-black oxide
Small diameter threaded bolt-copper
nuts and washers-black oxide

This is strictly my opinion, how I have found them on original cars and how I restore them. Everyone has their own opinions as we all know. If you don't want to go the plating route simply use paint that simulates those types of plating.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n300/ricknelson427/tn_IMG_3623.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n300/ricknelson427/tn_IMG_3624.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n300/ricknelson427/tn_IMG_3625.jpg

[mrrec]

John:
Rick restores them as the evidence he uncovers "tells" him to - the right way to do it in my opinion. I've found a very green phospate-type coating on the shaft in a couple of cases.

With all due respect, you ask a lot of questions on how to restore various parts. I don't know what the condition of the car is (was) you're working on is, but you'll have a much more accurate resto if you will closely examine YOUR parts so you can determine how they were finished originally. It takes a lot of time to inspect them. Maybe this isn't realistic for you or the car your working on. Good luck in any case.

[blackls6]

Hi Dave,
Unfornately the previous owner of my 59,000 mile LS-6 left it outside for 13 years and the northeastern weather left a lot of surface rust on parts! He's one of those people that leave cars outside with the intention of restore it some day!!!! He also has a 1965 Corvette 396, 1969 Camaro RS/SS conv., 1970 Chevelle LS-6, and 1971 Lemans Sport conv. loaded with every option.
I am also helping my friend with his LS-6.
Thanks! John

[firstgenaddict]

If there is just surface rust you could use safestrustremover.com and get some of it... it will not harm any finishes under the surface rust.

[blackls6]

Hi Rick,
You have been a big asset to the restoration of two LS-6 cars. Thanks again for all your help! John