Topic: 67 GT350 Heater Hose Elbow Finish and Details

[Bossbill]

NOTE: Subject split from another thread to focus and call attention to the part and related details

An example from a unrestored car

Is the GT350 intake elbow zinc dichromate?
It's shown in Jeff's pic, but can't I be sure of the original finish.

Here is a reproduction:

[Bob Gaines]

Is the GT350 intake elbow zinc dichromate?
It's shown in Jeff's pic, but can't I be sure of the original finish.

Here is a reproduction:

Typically zinc dichromate on the heater hose fittings used on aluminum intakes. The painted ones that were on the cast iron intakes were typically too hard to reuse which is why so many were fresh ones that were zinc dichromate. This unlike the thermostat housing which was reused off of the cast iron intake and the reason it is painted blue when seen on a original engine.

[J_Speegle]

Agree that we see our fair share of fresh new ones installed but there is also a fair number of unrestored cars with remnants and evidence of them being painted and then swapped over from the cast iron intakes IMHO such as the example I posted that Bob and I have seen many many times.

[Bossbill]

Ok, so we can have either.
A new zinc dichromate elbow or a "used" blue elbow.

In keeping with the "used" unfastened/refastened finishes found on the intake bolts, thermostat housing bolts and clamps I would think that a reused elbow would have the appropriate marks on it from being wrenched like the bolts.

Oh, and thanks for pulling this out.

[Bob Gaines]

Ok, so we can have either.
A new zinc dichromate elbow or a "used" blue elbow.

In keeping with the "used" unfastened/refastened finishes found on the intake bolts, thermostat housing bolts and clamps I would think that a reused elbow would have the appropriate marks on it from being wrenched like the bolts.

Oh, and thanks for pulling this out.

The new zinc dichromate version would be the more typical IMO given the number of them we see in many vintage photographs from 65,66,67 Shelby articles. The Shelby engine compartments were highly publicized because they were new news.  Both were used but the fitting was hard to get off without damage. That is why the fresh ones were being used.