Correct color bolts for Steering Box

[Tinkerr]

What is the correct color/coating for the the bolts that hold the aluminium cover with the adjustment nut? I know the cover is supposed to be natural. I'm thinking the bolts were not. Thanks Paul

[Edgemontvillage]

Bolts attaching the top cover were manganese (dark) phosphated for both power and manual boxes.

[Spooky]

here is an untouched box


Scott

[Tinkerr]

I see the box in the picture is a 69. I have a power and manual box, both dated March of 68. Is it possible there was a change is the style bolts used? Both of my boxes have a standard type bolt with lock washers. Both have been rebuilt and they used the bolts that were in the unit when I sent it to them. Thanks Paul

[SMS]

Here is my 68 PS box.

[Tinkerr]

Those are the type bolts and washers both my boxes have. Your bolts look like black phosphate. I think when they rebuilt my boxes they wire wheeled the bolts, they look like bare steel with clear coat. Thank Paul

[Mike S]

  They are very easy to replate. Most gun shops sell Zinc Phosphate under the name of Parkerizing. Get a stainless steel pot and some filtered water. I used deionized water (many pet shops will sell you deionized (DI) or reverse osmosis (R/O) water if you don't have the means. Or, bottled water works well too if you're in a pinch. Mix a batch per instructions (I used 1 oz of Parkerizing per 36oz of water), soak some steel wool or iron filings in a Mr. Coffee filter in the solution for a few hours to condition the mixture (you only need to do this once) and you're ready to plate. Do a good job cleaning the parts prior to putting into the solution.
Keep the temp between 160-190 degrees F.

Mike

[Tinkerr]

I'll give it a try. Thanks Mike

[Petes L48]

I pulled out two gearboxes, dated 312 7 and 353 7 so both off a 68 but a few months before your box.  Both has the same cover bolts, with three spokes radiating out from near the center and the letters R S C in between the spokes.  They were dark phosphate finish and had a separate lock washer.  Picture is of the 312 but both had identical bolts.  The covers did not have the Saginaw S as seen in the 69 cover above, and look the same as the picture in reply #4 above.  Both caps also had the 5689023 number, which I assume is a part #.





 

 

[Edgemontvillage]

I see the box in the picture is a 69. I have a power and manual box, both dated March of 68. Is it possible there was a change is the style bolts used? Both of my boxes have a standard type bolt with lock washers. Both have been rebuilt and they used the bolts that were in the unit when I sent it to them. Thanks Paul

Admittedly a late entrant in this discussion however I am working on rebuilding a couple of power steering boxes and am (also) curious when Saginaw made changes regarding use of cover bolts and inspection marks:

1. 008 of 1969 and 354 of 1968 dated power steering boxes I have originally came with standard 9/16 head, 3/8 thread bolts and lock washers. In Post #2 a 157 of 1969 box shows use of shouldered bolts and another Saginaw power steering box I observed dated 183 of 1969 (see photo courtesy of HawkX66, Dave) uses the same shouldered cover bolts. When did Saginaw began using the later shouldered cover bolts - seemingly sometime between January (day 008) and July (day 183) of 1969?
2. Saginaw also used a yellow inspection decal on box covers then changed to a paint daub (in 1970)? 
 
July of 1969 (183) dated Saginaw Power Steering Box Cover with Shouldered Bolts
  by

Date Unknown Box from a 1969 Camaro with Yellow Decal (courtesy of HawkX66, Dave)
by

Original 1970 Z/28 Saginaw Power Steering Box dated 110 1970 with (white) paint daub Inspection Mark



 

[Edgemontvillage]

Hmm, no posts. Would be helpful to hear from Members who have a Saginaw power steering box dated between January and July 1969 to narrow the dates when Saginaw transitioned to shouldered cover bolts.

[x77-69z28]

I’ll get under the hood tomorrow. My box is dated around 100 9.
Buddy

[69Z28-RS]

Does it really matter if it's a PS box or manual?   The manual steering Saginaw box in my 'late 69 Z28 was assembled on day 153 of '69 and has shoulder bolts.

[Edgemontvillage]

Gary thanks for contributing, my focus was on the Saginaw PS box however it’s possible the changeover to shouldered bolts occurred at the same time for manual boxes. We’ll see what the posts reveal.

[Danzo]

05A 69 Z power steering- shouldered bolts

[BillG]

03B 69 Pace car.  Shouldered bolts.  No Saginaw logo.

[Edgemontvillage]

03B 69 Pace car.  Shouldered bolts.  No Saginaw logo.

Bill, does the logoless box cap have a a Julien date stamped on it? If so what’s that date? Is yours a power steering box original to the car? What’s the casting date of the housing?

[BillG]

not sure if this is a julian date or not;  130   3   and  7812145.  do those numbers mean anything?

[Edgemontvillage]

Here's my freshly restored 354 of 1968 box with non-shouldered bolts and lock washers.

[Edgemontvillage]

not sure if this is a julian date or not;  130   3   and  7812145.  do those numbers mean anything?

Bill that decodes to the 130th day of 1973 or May 10, 1973

[BillG]

Thanks Lloyd and, nice work!

[69Z28-RS]

I'm a little surprised that GM/Saginaw used a lock washer to bear against the aluminum housing cover... as it's general practice in aerospace *(and automotive?) not to do so..

Lockwashers should never be used under the following conditions:

1. With fasteners to primary or secondary structures.
2. With fasteners on any part of the aircraft where failure might result in damage or danger to the aircraft or personnel.
3. Where failure would permit the opening of a joint to the airflow.
4. Where the screw is subject to frequent removal.
5. Where the washers are exposed to the airflow.
6. Where the washers are subject to corrosive conditions.
7. Where the washer is against soft material without a plain washer underneath to prevent gouging the surface.

[Mike S]

 I believe the Muncie transmission to bellhousing bolts use split ring lock washers under them with no flat washer.

Mike

[BillG]

I've been looking for an original 69 Saginaw gear box cap since the one on my car is incorrect but they are nowhere to be found.  I always thought more money could be made just parting a car out than selling the whole car.  The search goes on!

[169INDY]

LOS 04C Pace car, fluffed

Lloyd that looks spectacular, is that finish also a product of that fancy hydro blaster?

JIM

[KurtS]

AG is the broadcast code for a Camaro power steering box, fwiw.

[Edgemontvillage]

AG is the broadcast code for a Camaro power steering box, fwiw.

Thanks Kurt, I didn’t know that.

[Edgemontvillage]

LOS 04C Pace car, fluffed

Lloyd that looks spectacular, is that finish also a product of that fancy hydro blaster?

JIM

Thanks Jim. I’ve produced a similar case finish using either vapor blasting or electrolysis. Neither will produce that “fresh cast” look on its own. Starting with a clean and rust-free case, following electrolysis or vapour blasting I heat treat it. Details are in my build thread on TC.

[Edgemontvillage]

Jim, the date stamp on your PS box cover appears to read 80th day of 1969 (March 21, 1969) and non-shouldered bolts.

Untitled by Lloyd Costley, on Flickr

[67CruiseMaster]

Lloyd would you mind posting the link on TC for that. I'd be really interested in reading your procedures for box resto.

Scot

[Edgemontvillage]

Scot, the link is shown on my signature line however here it is: https://www.camaros.net/forums/133-build-projects/337897-1969-camaro-rs-z-28-brooklyn-project.html

There are posts on the PS box rebuild beginning at Post #349. Also references to cast iron restoration and heat treating at Post #285 and at Post # 64. Let me know if you have any questions.

[67CruiseMaster]

thanks

[169INDY]

Jim, the date stamp on your PS box cover appears to read 80th day of 1969 (March 21, 1969) and non-shouldered bolts.

Seems to proceed the LOS (VN) 04C Body nicely Sure looks like they double tapped the stamp tho,,,,

I will see if I can scan the ratty build sheet with the broadcast code block

[KurtS]

About every PS box date has a ghost stamp. Something related to their process.

[169INDY]

AG is the broadcast code for a Camaro power steering box, fwiw.

Ratty copy

[x66 714]

About every PS box date has a ghost stamp. Something related to their process.

Mine was under the top cover. Nothing except a casting date on the outside...Joe

[ZLP955]

I have a PS box dated 076 9 in storage awaiting rebuild but can't recall the type of bolts; I'll see if I can track it down on the weekend.

[Edgemontvillage]

About every PS box date has a ghost stamp. Something related to their process.

Mine was under the top cover. Nothing except a casting date on the outside...Joe

Joe, would you post a photo? I don't quite understand your description.

[x66 714]

Build date 08/28/1969...Joe

[Edgemontvillage]

Build date 08/28/1969...Joe

Joe, the date stamp on your steering box corresponds with the date the case was machined. I read it as the 118th day of X9 (the 6? is distorted). That would date the case April 28, 1969 . If it has its original cap bolts are they shouldered or non shouldered? .

[x66 714]

Actually it's 01 183 9. The box was cast 181. Assembled 2 days later. It has the flanged bolts "N", not the ones with the lock washers. Hawk X66. his box was built the same day but they are different...Joe

[ZLP955]

I have a PS box dated 076 9 in storage awaiting rebuild but can't recall the type of bolts; I'll see if I can track it down on the weekend.

Just found it. Actually assembled 072 9 (not 076), Julian cast date '69'. Has bolts with separate washers. Not really relevant but has 3 bolts with 'C' head marking and one with 'SBC'.

[ZLP955]

Photo:

[Hans L]

Just checked mine.  04B LA car.  Saginaw PS 077 9 Dated.  "C" Bolts with washers.    Just like Jim's above. 

[HawkX66]

I see the box in the picture is a 69. I have a power and manual box, both dated March of 68. Is it possible there was a change is the style bolts used? Both of my boxes have a standard type bolt with lock washers. Both have been rebuilt and they used the bolts that were in the unit when I sent it to them. Thanks Paul

Admittedly a late entrant in this discussion however I am working on rebuilding a couple of power steering boxes and am (also) curious when Saginaw made changes regarding use of cover bolts and inspection marks:

1. 008 of 1969 and 354 of 1968 dated power steering boxes I have originally came with standard 9/16 head, 3/8 thread bolts and lock washers. In Post #2 a 157 of 1969 box shows use of shouldered bolts and another Saginaw power steering box I observed dated 183 of 1969 (see photo courtesy of HawkX66, Dave) uses the same shouldered cover bolts. When did Saginaw began using the later shouldered cover bolts - seemingly sometime between January (day 008) and July (day 183) of 1969?

2. Saginaw also used a yellow inspection decal on box covers then changed to a paint daub (in 1970)? 
 
July of 1969 (183) dated Saginaw Power Steering Box Cover with Shouldered Bolts
  by

Date Unknown Box from a 1969 Camaro with Yellow Decal (courtesy of HawkX66, Dave)
by



 

Both those were actually the same box off my 08D 69 Lloyd. If you notice, it has my ripped rag joint on it still. It had the sticker before I cleaned it up. There was no saving the sticker for me unfortunately.

IMG_20150705_102748 by Dave H, on Flickr

IMG_20150705_102648 by Dave H, on Flickr

[Edgemontvillage]

Actually it's 01 183 9. The box was cast 181. Assembled 2 days later. It has the flanged bolts "N", not the ones with the lock washers. Hawk X66. his box was built the same day but they are different...Joe

Interesting, and seemingly a departure from Julian Dating. Dave's (Hawk X66) box was cast on 179 (or possibly 177) of 1969 (June 27 or 29) then machined on 181 of 1969 (June 30) and follows Juilan dating - not seeing the similarity.
 

Here is a PS box I restored for a buddy recently, original to his 70 Z/28. The casting date shown is 104 (April 4) and the machining date is 110 70 (April 20) 6 days apart. 

[x66 714]

Hawk's box has the Saginaw logo on the cover. Mine does not. 2 days apart..Joe

[HawkX66]

AG is the broadcast code for a Camaro power steering box, fwiw.

What do you make of the one Spooky posted in post #2? It looks like "HD" possibly. Heavy duty?

[KurtS]

HD is for a L6.

[HawkX66]

HD is for a L6.

Ahhh... Thanks Kurt.

[ZLP955]

Perhaps this should be another thread, but in reviewing the photos posted here (including my 072 9 box), several have a stamp on or near the Saginaw 'S' on the cover. Any ideas what these may be? Quality control checks, rework, spot-checks?