1967 Chevelle

GM Paint and Plating

All of the General Motors engine compartments are very similar. Each division may have made small changes to suit their individual applications, and each have their own engine colors, but the major components color of parts, and plating that are used remain essentially the same. Since there were many suppliers to GM of small parts, some differences in plating colors have been observed. Given the literally hundreds of thousands of small parts like clips & bolts, variations are not uncommon.

Most underhood bolts/nuts were black or gray phosphate. This process was needed to be relatively inexpensive due to the thousands of cars produced but was not very durable. Be sure to use quality rust protection when having these parts replated.

When you take your engine out for rebuilding or detailing, photograph the components before they are disassembled. Remove the parts and note whether they are plated, painted, or just natural, When the car is being reassembled the parts should be returned to their original condition. Through research it has been discovered that the following components should be restored as follows:

Part(s) Finish
Accelerator dash lever Gray phosphate
Accelerator firewall bracket & bolts Silver cadmium
Accelerator rod Black oxide
A.I.R. adjusting brace Satin black
A.I.R. anti-backfire valves Silver cadmium
A.I.R. pump support brace Satin black
A.I.R. smog pump housing Natural aluminum
A.I.R. smog pump pulley Gray phosphate
Air cleaner base 70% gloss black
Air cleaner lid (non open element) 70% gloss black
Air cleaner lid, open element Chrome plated
Alternator assembly Natural aluminum
Alternator fan/pulley, 396/325hp & 350hp Satin black or gray phosphate
Alternator pulley, 396/375hp Silver cadmium
Alternator fan, 396/375hp Silver cadmium
Alternator brackets Satin black (except 327/325hp top rear bracket that is orange)
Axle housing 70% gloss black
Battery hold-down clamp Gray phosphate
Battery tray Satin black
Bell housing Natural aluminum w/Chevrolet orange over-spray
Brake backing plates (front/drum) Natural or gray phosphate
Brake backing plates (rear/drum) Satin black
Brake distribution block and bracket  Gold cadmium distribution block w/natural bracket
Brake hose brackets Gold cadmium
Brake line Natural steel
Brake line clips Green zinc primer. Driver side frame clips carry part #3779294. The two right front clips on SS 396 series are reported to be green zinc for 1966 and silver cadmium for 1967 but they carry the same part number, #3753771.  Part #3753771 is also the part number for the passenger side fuel line clips.
Bumper brackets, front and rear Satin black
Bumper jack base, hook, ratchet Light gray
Bumper jack pole Silver cadmium
Bypass hose (396) Chevrolet orange over-spray at ends
Carburetor Yellow Chromate
Carburetor return spring Varies with application
Carburetor rod & swivel Clear Zinc
Clutch fork Natural steel w/Chevrolet orange over-spray
Clutch fork rod, front (V8) Gray Phosphate
Clutch fork threaded rod & nut (V8 & L6) Silver cadmium
Clutch pedal rod Silver cadmium
Clutch spring Natural steel or gray phosphate
Coil bracket Silver cadmium
Control arms, upper & lower, front & rear 70% gloss black
Control arm shaft, bolts, washer & shims Natural steel
Core support Satin black
Dashboard top Interior color, flat
Deck lid striker Silver cadmium
Disc brake caliper mounting brackets Gold cadmium
Disc brake backing plates Silver cadmium
Disc brake calipers Satin black
Distributor Natural aluminum
Distributor hold-down bracket Black oxide
Door striker Silver cadmium
Drive shaft Natural
Engine block Chevrolet orange
Engine lift hooks Chevrolet orange
Exhaust manifolds & locks Natural w/Chevrolet orange over-spray (any over-spray would burn off very quickly)
Fan blade Satin black
Fan clutch assembly Natural aluminum with a gold cadmium center. The clutch shaft and spring are natural finish.
Fender bolts Black oxide
Firewall/Fender Skirts Eggshell black * (U.S.) - Body color (Canada)
Floor pans Red or gray primer or eggshell black
Flywheel shield Natural w/Chevrolet orange over-spray
Frame 70% gloss black **
Gas lines Natural (except 327/325, chrome under hood)
Gas line clips Green zinc primer (#3753771)
Gas tank Natural or satin black
Gas tank straps Satin black
Grille Blacked out satin black (location depends on model - see here.)
Ground straps, under hood Natural
Harmonic balancer Chevrolet orange
Heater box cover Gloss black
Heater hose fittings Silver cadmium
Hood, underside Satin black
Hood hinges Gray phosphate
Hood latch & plate assemblies (lower & upper) Gray phosphate w/black oxide bolts
Hood latch assembly spring Semi flat black
Horns Satin black
Horn relay Silver cadmium
Hose clamps Silver cadmium
Intake manifold:
  ~ cast iron Chevrolet orange
  ~ aluminum Natural
Intake manifold bolts:
  ~ cast iron intake Chevrolet orange
  ~ aluminum intake Silver cadmium
License plate mounting brackets Satin black
Master cylinder Natural
Master cylinder cover Gold cadmium dichromate
Master cylinder bail clips Natural
Oil cap (327/325 & all 396) Chrome plated
Oil cap (all except above) Satin black
Oil pan and bolts Chevrolet orange
Parking brake cables Silver cadmium
PCV hose clips Black oxide
Power brake booster Gold cadmium
Power steering brackets/braces Satin black
Power steering pump Gloss black
Pulley, crankshaft Gray phosphate
Pulley, power steering crankshaft Satin black
Pulley, power steering pump Satin black
Pulley, water pump Gray phosphate
Radiator Gloss black
Radiator cap Silver cadmium
Radiator support Eggshell black *
Radiator shroud Metal - semi gloss to gloss black/Plastic - natural
Rally wheels Argent silver
Rear tail lamp upper panel (SS 396 & Malibu)
Rear tail lamp cove		 Satin black (See variations.)
Cove is satin black on SS 396 and body color on all others
Rear tail lamp upper panel (300 & 300 Deluxe) Body color
Shift linkage Gray phosphate
Shock absorbers Shock absorber gray
Spare tire hold down bolt Gray phosphate
Spare tire wing nut Silver cadmium
Spindles Natural cast
Springs, front & rear Natural steel
Starter motor Satin black
Starter motor brace Satin black
Steering box Natural
Steering knuckle Natural
Steering linkage Natural
Sway bar, front Black oxide or gray phosphate
Sway bar mounting bracket Satin black
Sway bar bracket bolts Black oxide
Timing chain cover and bolts Chevrolet orange
Transmission:
  ~ 3-speed manual Natural cast iron w/Chevrolet orange over-spray on bell housing area
  ~ 4-speed manual Natural aluminum w/Chevrolet orange over-spray on bell housing area
  ~ Powerglide Natural aluminum
  ~ Turbo Hydra-Matic Natural aluminum
Transmission cross-member  70% gloss black
U-bolts, drive-shaft Black oxide
U-bolt nuts Silver cadmium
Valance panel, front Body color
Valve covers (327/325hp & all 396) Chrome plated
Valve covers (all except above) Chevrolet orange
Voltage regulator Gloss black cover/silver cadmium base
Water pump Chevrolet orange
Water outlet housing (all except below) Chevrolet orange
Water outlet housing (327/325hp & 396/375hp) Natural aluminum
Wheel wells, front Satin black
Wheel wells, rear Satin black w/body color over-spray
Windshield washer pump cover Natural black plastic
Wiper motor Gloss black

There are a couple of accepted aftermarket spray paint for Chevrolet Orange, Plasti-Kote #200 and Duplicolor #1620.

* Eggshell black on firewall, radiator support and fender skirts of U.S.-built Chevelles. Canadian-built Chevelle firewalls were left body color. A good mixing formula for eggshell black is:

2 quarts "mixing black" #386
1 quart "universal flattening agent" #850
1 quart "mixing clear" #310
PPG #DDL-16 or DuPont #3608s quick dry thinner

** Undercarriage, frame, suspension
Egg shell black enamel
- 3 quarts mixing black
- 1 quart flattening agent
- PPG DTR601 quick dry reducer