[Resq302]

I have heard some different opinions and would like to know what is correct. I have a 70 El Camino SS 396 and have heard that the rear brake drums should be natural steel colored or semi flat black. Which is correct from the factory?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Brian

 

[NITRO]

S/B natural. I painted mine Eastwood Cast Grey. Has held up to heat fine for about 3 yrs now.
JC

 

[Rick_Nelson]

Brian,
speaking only from experience and talking to some gurus, I am under the understanding that these rear ends were assembled with brakes and drums installed and the rear was painted overall with black paint. With that in mind, very little paint was applied to the face of the drum but everywhere else. The exception to this is some rears that were delivered out West and were left natural. Again, this is only my understandings.
Rick

 

[69396ss]

I agree, gloss black more specifically.

 

[66 MYSTERY CHEVELLE]

Just so we are clear for future readers/archivers... the question was about a 1970 correct? Not saying it might not be true for other years, but I don't like for people to make the leap automatically.

MC

 

[Bill Rose]

Ok... Lets review. Some think it should be natural. Some think it should be black. Some think some parts of the country black, some were natural. I say natural because I've seen plenty of unrestored cars with very rusty rears and brake drums.
Soooooo Brian has your question been answered? What color are you gonna go with???

 

[Resq302]

Well.... I think I am going to have to go with the natural cast iron color as I was cleaning off my center section of my rear and found some original yellow inspection markings under the black paint. Being that it seems the previous owner painted the whole undercarriage semi flat black to prevent rusting over the years, I would assume he painted the rear axle as well. Also, the natural cast iron color makes sense as that is how my 69 charger came from the factory as well.

I just wanted to make sure that it was correct before I put the new decal set I got from RichR on and wasted a perfectly good decal on the rear brake drum.

 

[Freddy Mercado]

What would it be for a 67 SS?????

 

[Chris R]

I just wanted to make sure that it was correct before I put the new decal set I got from RichR on and wasted a perfectly good decal on the rear brake drum.

I have never heard of any decals being put on a brake drum before. What kinds of decals are these?

 

[Bill Rose]

I have never heard of any decals being put on a brake drum before. What kinds of decals are these?

The rear brake drums had a code decal indicating the gear ratio and if it is a posi or not. When the chassis came down the line, they knew by that code which rear to install from the build sheet..
Mine is CF for 331 posi.

 

[Resq302]

If I remember correctly, my rear axle code decal that I just got in my kit was CW

 

[Resq302]

What would it be for a 67 SS?????

Freddy,

I answer to your question, this is for a 1970 El Camino SS 396. See signature below.

 

[66 MYSTERY CHEVELLE]

I have never heard of any decals being put on a brake drum before. What kinds of decals are these?

Only b/c I like ya Chris.. from my personal 66 SS album

 

[rubadub]

Brian if this might help, only as far as color combinations, picture #49 is a black axle, backing plate is specialty performance products (sxa1031) primer under eastwoods detail gray, the drum is napa zincrom primer #7222 and napa iron/block cast#7250, its nicer then the eastwoods, with light coats, and a chrome cragar.
Rob

 

[2BlueLS6's]

I think you'll find that the drums and rears were shot at (key word being at) with semi gloss black. The paint was light and went away in the hostile enviroment. Usually when there are traces of anything in the way, like the sticker on the drums, removing it will reveal black paint that was protected. It's not uncommon for GM to put inspection marks on components BEFORE they got hit with the black.

 

[mr70]

Brian
What plant was your Vehicle built at?
I believe that would be a factor too,as stated earlier.
I have a pair of these Brake Drums NOS in their Original boxes,and they are dated 1970 with Black sloppy paint dripped all over them.These have clearly been bucket dipped for protection before being sold over the counter,so I wouldn't base this example as a Assembly line example.

 

[richr]

Ok - I'll throw a little curve into this. My orig Green 70 SS - rear was black and so were the drums - inspections marks were on the black on the rear - nothing was natural- have pics I can e-mail anyone who would like to see - in fact sent these to Rick Nelson some time ago. This is an Arlington car - I am sure plants will vary. When I restored the car the drums were uncut - orig pads still in the car - 54,000 miles.

Rich

 

[Rick_Nelson]

And what great reference pictures those are!!!! Thanks again Rich.

 

[richr]

Always a pleasure.

 

[69396ss]

Inspection marks on the differental of an Arlington built 70?

Hhhhhhm, mines an Arlington built 70.

Please..... do tell