[JIMMYM]

Are 65 brake drums supposed to be natural cast iron and the stabilizer bar supposed to be natural steel? i searched the forums and have seen them natural or black. I need to know whats really correct. whats the best way to achieve a natural look on the stabilizer bat? Thanks

[bill ryder]

Brake drums (cast) are cast iron in color. If you get them ceramic coated, they will stay nice for a very long time. The stab bar is really carbonized, darker than natural but definitely not black. "Bill"!

[JIMMYM]

Thanks Bill.

[6t5gto]

Are all the steering components carbonized as well? Is it like a flat black that almost has a look of faded black?

[bill ryder]

The steering components are natural, even the stab bar brackets. "Bill"!

[John V.]

I posted what is found on the drawing for "black out" chassis painting from the '65 Olds F85 Assembly Manual in this thread:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=759876

As to the stabilizer bar, it says, "STABILIZER BAR-DO NOT PAINT BETWEEN STABILIZER BRACKETS".

For the steering linkage it says, "STEERING LINKAGE ASSEMBLY AND IDLER ARM", meaning these items were to be painted.

Some useful pix concerning chassis black out painting are also found in that thread, one from the Olds Lansing Plant, a couple from the Fremont Plant.

[bill ryder]

Back to building for points or correctness; if the components aren't natural, points will be deducted. Not always correct, BUT, at this point in time, that is the way we are being judged. "Bill"!