Were Frame Crossmembers Painted?
05-06-2016, 08:17 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Were Frame Crossmembers Painted?
I am curious if the frame crossmember under the transmission was suppose to be painted or powder coated at the factory? I have my '82 crossmember out as I am replacing the transmission mount and doing some other work. A previous owner (I am guessing) had the car undercoated (poorly) with some really crappy tar like substance which I have cleaned along with all the grease and grime. What I did not find is any kind of paint and really rough welds (no surprise there). Surprisingly though there is not any corrosion and only some light oxidation. All the fluid leaks I have probably helped protect the metal. Thanks!
05-06-2016, 08:39 AM
#2
Drifting
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If they were, then not well, or with any kind of durable paint. I cleaned the grime off mine with paper towels and degreaser, and I too went straight back to shiny metal. No wonder they have such problems with rust!
Last edited by Metalhead140; 05-06-2016 at 08:40 AM.
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Bigredwing (05-06-2016)
05-06-2016, 09:46 AM
#3
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Painted, yes. Powder coated, no. Frames were painted with a cheapo semi-flat black by the supplier (A. O. Smith Company).
Last edited by Easy Mike; 05-06-2016 at 09:47 AM.
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Metalhead140 (05-06-2016)
05-07-2016, 02:46 AM
#5
Drifting
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Mine during cleaning, as I say, I used nothing other than degreaser and some paper towel, just trying to get the oily grime off:
These were just after I started to clean it, while test fitting the tko600. I pulled the box back out, cleaned everything more thoroughly and gave the chassis a good coat of quality satin black paint.
These were just after I started to clean it, while test fitting the tko600. I pulled the box back out, cleaned everything more thoroughly and gave the chassis a good coat of quality satin black paint.
05-07-2016, 04:36 AM
#6
Team Owner
If the crossmembers were painted, it was very thin black paint.
05-07-2016, 09:07 AM
#7
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Hi,
I believe the 70-72 frames were painted using Dupont 640 enamel and were dipped not sprayed.
Wouldn't that indicate that the transmission crossmember on 4-speed frames received the same paint as the rest of the frame?
Regards,
Alan
I believe the 70-72 frames were painted using Dupont 640 enamel and were dipped not sprayed.
Wouldn't that indicate that the transmission crossmember on 4-speed frames received the same paint as the rest of the frame?
Regards,
Alan
05-07-2016, 09:23 AM
#8
Race Director
Never really thought about it before, but there are signs of the thin, black paint in some pretty hidden places. I've seen it inside the differential crossmember, up inside the A pillars, inside the trailing arm pocket, inside the #3 body mount pocket. Not much paint mind you, but enough to to suggest that the whole the no might have been dipped rather that sprayed externally.
05-07-2016, 10:59 AM
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CLV,
A couple places you mention seem to indicate parts of the birdcage.
I believe this dip method was used on the frame, not the birdcage… but I might be wrong?!?
Regards,
Alan
This looks to me like 'spray pattern' in the pocket of the hinge pillar.
A couple places you mention seem to indicate parts of the birdcage.
I believe this dip method was used on the frame, not the birdcage… but I might be wrong?!?
Regards,
Alan
This looks to me like 'spray pattern' in the pocket of the hinge pillar.
Last edited by Alan 71; 05-07-2016 at 11:03 AM.
05-08-2016, 07:27 AM
#10
Drifting
On A/T cars It was painted... sort of...Manual cars were welded to frame and painted with it. and the welds on either leave a lot to be desired .. clean them up before you powdercoat
05-08-2016, 08:59 AM
#11
Race Director
Tough to say. You'd have to assume that the welding/assembly of the birdcage would be done prior to painting. Some of the lower spots show signs of internal paint but there are so many potential rust areas under the dash and in the windshield frame area that I can't imagine there being any paint there. Maybe the lower part was dipped? Seems kind of crazy.