From the looks of our original rod through the firewall to the Z bar it was black. Perhaps it could have been grey phosphate. I see no evidence they were ever gold cad like the trans shifter rods. However, it looks like from the pic below Dave Kleiner shows his repro rod through the firewall as a gold cad. What do you say? http://www.buickperformance.com/repro4spd.htm
Ditto I was wondering the the same thing. That was the only part that I did'nt buy from Dave Kleiner...one of the reasons I did'nt buy it was that It didnt seem to be correct and I really did'nt want to paint over such a nice piece. Inquiring minds want to know
It would really be out of character with the rest under the hood. I suppose Dave did the underhood lock out rod black? Is that correct? I will say Ken Lisk has an original car and I suspect his are black like ours with no sign of cad plating.
Jim, I have had at least 4 clutch rods in the past from skylarks and G.S's. All from original cars. They were all dull silver on the pedal side of the firewall and black on the Z bar side. Never saw any other colors. Hope this helps, Bill
Jim, Your thread got me curious so I took a look at the 2 spare rods I have (both from rust-free CA GS's) and they both are exactly as Bill described; black on the firewall side and bare steel inside. It looks like the rod was in the car when they sprayed the firewall black. Brian
Does everyone still agree that the out rod that runs on the engine compartment side of the firewall should not be gold cad like the one in the pic linked above? I am getting to that point in this resto.
Jim- I looked at mine last night. The rod coming through the firewall looks like dull silver. The rod that hooks into it on the firewall side looks black. It actually has a bit of a brown tint at the moment in some places, but mostly black. I see no signs of gold cad. I could post pics if you'd like, but my description is accurate.
What about the lock out rod color? It is the one that goes vertically up the front of the firewall. It is around the brake booster which is gold cad. I seem to to remember a pic in which Dave Kleiner had also cad plated it.
Mark and Bill Any chance they were once gold cad and the finish has gone away (except maybe under a pivot). The reason I ask is that I thought I saw a pic in which Dave Kleiner had tremade them gold cad plated. He is pretty sharpe and seeing that has caused me to ask a lot of questions? I appreciate you taking the time to provide information.
Jim, From all the cars I owned and have owned I never recall seeing a back drive rod (verticle) in gold cad,however I rummaged through my parts bin the other day and noticed a pivot rod (horizontal) with spring with just a tad of gold cad intact. I am starting to think these parts were purchased from different vendors/plants and at different times which could account for different colors not to mention stick vs.auto? o No: Bill
I have a 1970 GSX and the bar comming thru the firewall is gold cad my car has only 46,000 miles on it. I am in the middle of restoring this car. I hope this helps.
Thanks a lot E. What about the lock out rod that runs up the front side and parallel to the firewall?
Thanks I am trying to solve the mystery. Ours is 49K miles but the corosion has overtaken the original finish.
Jim, I stand corrected on the rod comming thru the fire wall it is silver as the others have said I went over to look at my X and I guess it was the reflection of the light that made it look gold. I also washed the lock out bar comming from the trans to the frame that bar is gold cad but the bar going to the steering col. is rusted in a lot of spots. I took the agjusting sleeve loose and it appears that this part is natural metal finish, some spots where there was grease I washed it off and it also was the same. Sorry about the confusion on the clutch rod. If I knew how to post pictures I would do so. I'll see if I can get some help.
