Paint color detail on factory proportioning valve

Here are some NOS valves that have appeared on eaby in recent years:

[Blocked Image: http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/4278/nosproportioningvalve04.jpg]

[Blocked Image: http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/5584/nosproportioningvalve02.jpg]

[Blocked Image: http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2057/nosproportioningvalve01.jpg]

[Blocked Image: http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2955/nosproportioinngvalve03.jpg]

Fred, were assembly units also painted or just the over

the counter replacement units?

Thanks, /Bo

Bo,

That's a great question. When I spoke with Randy at Stanger Site about this a few years ago he pointed out this info on his web site:

Quote

The valve above was painted with a cast iron type paint to give it a original natural finish that wouldn't rust. I believe these valves were left as bare cast iron as installed on the car.

To the right is a picture of an NOS valve right out of a Ford parts box. This may represent the finish of a Ford replacement valve. It is painted in a light blue with the observed paint splotch on the side.

It would be great to find some early photos of engine compartments to help with this question

So Randy contends they were not painted gray on factory-installed prop valves? If so, he's wrong.

I CAN SAY I HAVE HAD A NOS GM VALVE FOR A 67 CORVETTE AND IS THE SAME VALVE AND LOOKED SAME AS FORD NOS UNIT FOR COLOR AND FINISH

Interesting......so Corvettes use this valve as well......from what year to what year?

Quote from 6hypo5conv

Interesting......so Corvettes use this valve as well......from what year to what year?

If your looking fro these check the mid year T Birds also.

THEY USE ON CORVETTES WITH A J56 BRAKE OPTION THERE IS EVEN TALK IN CORVETTE WORLD OF REPRODUCING

I'd bet the reason for the different part number is that the bias setting is different.

T-bird weighed a LOT more than the 'stang - so did the Lincolns - so the front/rear bias would be different.

My 2cents.

The 65-66 GT350 valve also had a different part number which I suspect was also a different bias adjustment to account for the larger rear brakes and metallic shoes.

Quote from C6ZZKGT

Jeff, The Thunderbird valve has a different part number. Although the outward appearance is the same, there must be some internal difference. The 65 and 66 Lincoln also use the same valve as the Thunderbird.

-Fred-

Agreed - never noticed a difference in braking. Guess if we could find some factory paperwork it might be something that could be adjusted out. Guessing the Corvette balance would be different also

So have we come to a conclusion on this bare metal or grey,only the one I have on my car is rusted up no sign of paint but been on there since new by the look of things,I have a NOS one in the grey paint which I intend to fit,at some point but would like it to be correct colour or not ?

Chris.

The original installed ones on Mustangs were left natural and the over the counter parts were painted.Ford didn't want rust on new parts they sold over the counter is why most are painted.

Quote from lscman

The original installed ones on Mustangs were left natural and the over the counter parts were painted.Ford didn't want rust on new parts they sold over the counter is why most are painted.

I totally disagree with that. I have found many original proportioning valves with gray paint still on them or bubbling off.

It would be helpful if there were some early photos of engine compartments that clearly showed the valve. It's hard to imagine KH or any other manufacturer producing them out of bare metal given the number of NOS valves that are gray.

Both of my Unrestored 65's with disks have grey body's on there original valves.This is consistent with every other low milage car that I have seen.