I had my 69 GT350 judged and one issue found was the top of the steering box should be blacked out. Would that include the metal tag with codes stamped on it?
Todd
Yes ford blacked out the whole top of steering box tag and all as i think to hide rust showing on top even thou hard to see on a big block but very visable on a 6 cyl. and small blocks. I have a 69 steering gear box off a 1000 mile 69 mustang that was wrecked when new and parted out i bought back 30 years ago i use for reference to document this blackout. The black paint never stayed very long due to the oil and grease used in gearboxs
Quote from: aboss4tg on May 25, 2026, 12:42:20 PMI had my 69 GT350 judged and one issue found was the top of the steering box should be blacked out. Would that include the metal tag with codes stamped on it?
Todd
Yes it would. After the box was installed the instructions were to paint all that you can see from above. It was so when the bare metal parts started to flash rust the black out would keep it from being visible to a new owner. There was a lot of latitude for application. The product as described was similar to a driveway seal coat. It was applied with a 2 inch brush and typically the tag got brushed. Brush strokes are typical. A spray can will not give a historical look.
Does this apply to other years as well?
Yes
Just to make sure: The painting occurred after the box was installed on the assembly line?
And if that is a "yes" to the years, exactly what years.
Quote from: roddster on May 26, 2026, 12:24:01 PMJust to make sure: The painting occurred after the box was installed on the assembly line?
And if that is a "yes" to the years, exactly what years.
Yes it was supposed to be done for all years . You will find it in the assemblyline manual. It reads like the worker was supposed to lean over the fender and try to blackout what he could see . A small brush was apparently used. Like with other things in the assemblyline manual what was supposed to be done and what was typically done can be two different things.
Quote from: Bob Gaines on May 26, 2026, 12:29:12 PMQuote from: roddster on May 26, 2026, 12:24:01 PMJust to make sure: The painting occurred after the box was installed on the assembly line?
And if that is a "yes" to the years, exactly what years.
Yes it was supposed to be done for all years . You will find it in the assemblyline manual. It reads like the worker was supposed to lean over the fender and try to blackout what he could see . A small brush was apparently used. Like with other things in the assemblyline manual what was supposed to be done and what was typically done can be two different things.
so would that be flat, semi flat, semi gloss or gloss black?
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on May 26, 2026, 11:53:48 PMQuote from: Bob Gaines on May 26, 2026, 12:29:12 PMQuote from: roddster on May 26, 2026, 12:24:01 PMJust to make sure: The painting occurred after the box was installed on the assembly line?
And if that is a "yes" to the years, exactly what years.
Yes it was supposed to be done for all years . You will find it in the assemblyline manual. It reads like the worker was supposed to lean over the fender and try to blackout what he could see . A small brush was apparently used. Like with other things in the assemblyline manual what was supposed to be done and what was typically done can be two different things.
so would that be flat, semi flat, semi gloss or gloss black?
Like your driveway seal coat which is somewhere between flat and semi flat.