1969 Hood Striker Assembly Finishes

[Edgemontvillage]

I attended MCACN this year and had the pleasure of exploring several restored and original Camaros. Among the restored cars was a Legends certified '69 Z (2B Norwood build) that I noticed had a hood striker assembly that was restored unlike what I've seen on most other cars. The hood striker had the (threaded) adjuster shaft finished as natural steel vs zinc phosphate. All other components of the assembly looked correctly restored to me. Is natural steel the correct finish for the adjuster shaft?

 - Bolts - Manganese (dark) phosphate with captured washers
 - Base - Zinc (medium grey) phosphate
 - Spring - Full Gloss black paint
 - Cup - Zinc phosphate
 - Adjuster shaft - ?

 

[HawkX66]

I'm not sure if it will help, but this is a shot of my striker. Obviously the finishes are tough to see, but it's never been touched. It looks to me like the adjuster shaft is the same as the base, not natural steel originally.

IMG_20151223_132331 by Dave H, on Flickr

[x66 714]

The way I understood it, everything except the spring was phosphate. Spring is black.....Joe

[Edgemontvillage]

I'm not sure if it will help, but this is a shot of my striker. Obviously the finishes are tough to see, but it's never been touched. It looks to me like the adjuster shaft is the same as the base, not natural steel originally.

Thanks Dave, helpful as always. A close look at the survivors during MCACN didn't allow me to distinguish between the aged phosphate finish and whatever finish was on (or not) the adjuster shaft - all looked the same to me. 

[Edgemontvillage]

The photo I posted of the striker assembly was from a Legends judge's car. I asked another Legends judge about the correct finish for the adjuster shaft and he replied that either zinc phosphate or natural steel would be acceptable. 

[cook_dw]

Did you happen to look at Warren's striker?  I did but failed to snag a photo. I wanna say it is similar to the one you posted

[Edgemontvillage]

Did you happen to look at Warren's striker?  I did but failed to snag a photo. I wanna say it is similar to the one you posted

I did get several photos of Warren's JL8 X77 Z however not specifically of the hood striker. I located a marginal quality iPhone photo of the hood, including the strikerI took during the show and the adjuster shaft does appear brighter than the surrounding finishes but I'd have to say its inconclusive.

 

[rszmjt]

Lloyd, my 06A Z28 has the untouched hood striker/base/cup, I just went out to the shop and inspected it, the striker pin appears to be either aged plain steel or lighter colour zinc phosphate, very hard to tell, the base and cup are a little darker than the legends car, I’ve owned this car since 74, pretty unmolested and no oxidizing or rust etc, as it’s spent it’s entire time in heated storage since I’ve owned it, driven very little in last 25 yrs. Seems to me I have ( or had ) a nos striker pin and it was unplated  steel. Hope this helps.

[KurtS]

I was always surprised that pin would be the same phosphate as the base & cup. Mainly because there's some thickness to the plating and it's not a plating that conducive to threads.
Find me a part # for the pin and I may be able to find out more....

[68camaroz28]

I was always surprised that pin would be the same phosphate as the base & cup. Mainly because there's some thickness to the plating and it's not a plating that conducive to threads.
Find me a part # for the pin and I may be able to find out more....

Legends judging as stated Lloyd accepts both and was aware of that but never really researched it. Kurt May have same ability but ncrs friend of mine has old gm book that gives finishes by part # so maybe with part number we can define it better. Agree it makes sense! I will try to check Skips 69 closely.

[x66 714]

Az car with 12k miles. Norwood built 05A....Joe

[Edgemontvillage]

Az car with 12k miles. Norwood built 05A....Joe

What's your take Joe? Its got patina but does the adjuster shaft appear to be phosphated or natural?

[Edgemontvillage]

Wanted to comment on a few points made in the thread:
- There are many threaded fasteners used on our cars that receive phosphating
so that on its own doesn't default the finish to natural due to potential fitment issues.

- I have seen the adjuster shaft offered for sale on eBay as NOS however we know finishes on service replacement parts   aren't necessarily the same as those installed at the factory.

- The adjuster shaft is exposed to some weather and seems to age much like the surrounding assembly which we know
received zinc phosphate. As it would normally have some amount of grease on it (the receiver assembly is lubed) and is
subjected to mechanical abrasion, a natural steel part would be less likely to show rusting. 

[169INDY]

A) - There are many threaded fasteners used on our cars that receive phosphating
so that on its own doesn't default the finish to natural due to potential fitment issues.

Correct: Type M, Manganese phosphate provided in the thickness 5 to 10 micrometer,
or Type Z, Zinc phosphate provided in the thickness 5 to 15 micrometer

Reference: MIL-DTL-16232G, 7 January 2000, Phosphate Coatings, Heavy, Manganese Or Zinc Base

[bcmiller]

I was always surprised that pin would be the same phosphate as the base & cup. Mainly because there's some thickness to the plating and it's not a plating that conducive to threads.
Find me a part # for the pin and I may be able to find out more....

The pin is actually called a bolt, probably because it’s threaded.

Kurt I will also email this to you but that threaded hood striker pin bolt was used for many years and many car lines. Starting in 1967 through the 70s on Camaros, but also used at least for Chevelles and full size. Probably others too.

Original number 3857883 is the bolt
Replaced by       3898717
Replaced by       3911214
Replaced by       3942197 in May 1969.

I don’t know why there were so many changes.

Judging may be accepting both finishes because of more than one parts supplier or changes made over time.