Proper plating for hardware - J52 balance valve bracket & bolt @ '69 SS

[nuch_ss396]

Can anyone tell me the "correct" plating color to be applied to the bolt that connects the J52 power brake balance valve to its bracket?
I've seen it done many ways.  I'm betting only one way was correct.

This bracket mounts directly under the master cylinder on disc brake Camaros.  This is the little gem of a bracket:

[RamAirDave]

I would say silver cad.  The new hw is like that, but the new stuff isnt always correct.  I would have to find the original bolt and take a close look at it.

The types with the integrated star washer (can see the imprint on the bracket) is almost always silver, from what Ive noticed.

dave

[nuch_ss396]

Dave,

I've seen them gold cad ( like the bracket pictured ), black posphate & gray posphate.  Can't say I've ever seen a silver cad bolt though.

Anybody got a low-mileage original car that can verify for us?  These are the ^&#!%@#$# details I hate!

Steve

[SS375HP]

This photo may only help a little. It was taken last year at the Camaro Nationals of a 12,000 mile unrestored  69 SS396 375HP Garnet Red coupe. From the photo all you can say for sure is that it wasn't black phosphate. I can't tell if it was silver or gold cad. Maybe you can! I have other photos, but unfortunately none show this bracket and bolt any better

[RamAirDave]

Steve,

Just off the top of my head, I can't recall any gold cad hardware anywhere on a 1st gen.

I'll try to dig up the original bolt for that application in the next few days and let you know what it is.

dave

[RamAirDave]

Went ahead and dug them up now.  Here is the pic.  The bolt on the left is the one that holds the "L" bracket to the metering block.  Dark Phosphate.  The one on the right is the one you are asking about.  Silver cad.



dave

[nuch_ss396]

Ken,

Don't you think the gold cad pieces associated with the booster look a little too "new" on this car?  They seem a little out of place - finish wise.
Would a 35+ year old booster look this nice?



Dave,

Your picture of the bolts sure seems to indicate that this bracket bolt was indeed silver cad plated.  I'd love to see an original low mileage car that
could give me a definitive answer on this. 

Anyone know how to get in touch with Steve Shauger?  I know he has a creampuff of a low mileage all original L/34 69 Camaro.

Steve

[RamAirDave]

Those came off of an original Z, with around 77K miles and hadnt seen the light of day since the early 80s until a year ago.

Definitive enough for me.

dave

[JohnZ]

Mine's original, and it's dark phosphate with a captured toothed washer.

[nuch_ss396]

Mine's original, and it's dark phosphate with a captured toothed washer.

Yep!  Sounds a lot like "just grab any bolt in the bin Spanky....." 

John, do you have an image or two of that combo to share?  I'd like to see it.
BTW, what are your thoughts on what are considered correct finishes here?

Steve

[JohnZ]

Here's a photo of the bracket and bolt - I've had the booster and valve bracket restored by Jerry MacNeish, but the attaching bolt is the untouched original.

[nuch_ss396]

Hey John,

I wouldn't have believed it if you didn't post it.  BTW. did Jerry tell you the bolt was the wrong color?   

Steve

[JohnZ]

Hey John,

I wouldn't have believed it if you didn't post it.  BTW. did Jerry tell you the bolt was the wrong color?   

Steve

Nope

[BillOhio]

This is an old thread. I thought my bracket was damaged that holds the metering valve but Johns looks exactly the same with that odd stamp in the top of it. I was hoping to find a new bolt since mine is pitted but I guess no one has this bolt. I checked amk and heartbeat city and neither show it.
Part number 3848408

[Mike S]

Hi Bill,

   I have that same indent too on my 67 brackets. I'll look for that bolt style with the captive star washer tomorrow in my bolt collection. If I have it, it's yours free.
  As a side note, my bolt head isn't indented like John's 69. It has a flat surface with 3 lines and 'RS' and is dark phosphate. I'm sure they must have used different styles. I'll check tomorrow morning.

Mike