Tie rod sleeve and bolts/nuts

[68camaroz28]

Car-68 z/28  I have looked at several restored cars, pictures, & searched trying to determine the correct finish for the tie rod theaded sleeve, the two small brackets that go around each sleeve and the bolt nut finish. Seems the sleeve itself is natural and the bolts/nuts were not dark phosphated, and the rings the bolts go through for tightening are natural. Have noticed several variations on how these have been done in restorations and need help. Having the hardware correct is the hardest part to get correct up to this point. 
Would appreciate some expert advice as I'm all ears.....

[BlackoutSteve]

Thought the sleeves and clamps were satin black and natural phosphate/oil bolts.
Can't remember the source.

[MyRed67]

I used to be a member of United States Camaro Club back through the 90's, as a member I received bi-monthly Camaro Enthusiast magazine.  I have saved most of these mags..   May-June '93  Vol. 10 Issue3 has an article on '69 Suspension Details with color pics..  Center Link, Pitman Arm, Tie Rods, and Idler Arm were natural cast.  The Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeves as well as the Clamps were also Natural finish.  They don't state finish color of the bolts & nuts but they appear natural.

[68camaroz28]

Is it correct to believe the tie rod sleeve bolts/nuts were zinc plated?
I need to check the head markings on our original bolts.

[BlackoutSteve]

Quite sure they weren't zinc
I have a huge file of restoration pics that I've saved over time, and although it seems that they're all a mix of black sleeves & black clamps, black sleeves & natural clamps and natural sleeves and natural clamps, none of them appear to be zinc plated. 

If FirstGenAddict is watching, he may recognize this picture because I think it's one of his. A Z28 survivor that he has and posted pics on Camaros.net.
This image clearly shows that they are natural.

[68camaroz28]

The sleeve bolts in our car were all "WB" bolts and looked like they were phosphated. And your correct in the different configurations that are out there.  My communication might not be correct but when I referred to zinc coated I'm referring to a natural finish, not zinc phosphate as it might suggest. Paragon refers to several of their natural finish bolts as zinc coated. 
Still not sure what is considered correct or correct possible combinations. We need a book like NCRS has OK, don't shot me.......

[BlackoutSteve]

When talking fasteners, phosphate and zinc are completely different, and phosphate and natural is different too. The term zinc phosphate is simply confusing even though it may be a correct term.
Natural is completly un-coated, zinc is either silver, dichromate (yellow green) or black, and phosphate is charcoal grey.
The correct finish on the fasteners in question would be phosphate.

The rear page of the AMK catalog is a good reference.
http://www.amkproducts.com/Catalog_PDF/403-BC.pdf

[JohnZ]

The term zinc phosphate is simply confusing even though it may be a correct term.

Zinc phosphate wasn't used on automotive fasteners; the GM "phosphate & oil" fastener spec refers to manganese phosphate, which varied from dark gray to black. Zinc-plated fasteners are silver in color, and "natural" is bare steel.