1980 trans am differential and diff cover
 

I have a 1980 pace car trans am

my question is this:

Was the rear differential fully painted from the factory and if so was it a 60 degree gloss black (basically satin gloss black now) ???

Was the pumpkin cover painted at all ??? If so same color as the differential

I am currently restoring a 1978, 26k mileage TA
I am documenting the whole process and finding a lot of parts are bare metal or plated
Not much is painted.
It’s funny you just posted this thread because I am cleaning and restoring the rear axle, leaf springs and all suspension
I will post those pics in my thread in the next few days

thanks
 

thanks

Would love to see before pics. I try to look at as many low mile originals as possible.
Yes, def no paint. There are paints out there that are supposed to replicate the bare steel look but they are just not quite right. What parts I am taking to bare as per original I am coating with 'shark hide'. Its a clear thats suppose to prevent rust and stay clear. We'll see how long it lasts.

Bare steel and cast iron, any black would be from overspray or weather coating. If I was redoing mine I'd just do it all satin black instead of the mixed cast iron and steel powdercoat that isn't terribly convincing, none is seen, just diff cover.

Blasting my 81 rear there was traces of a big letter in paint on the cover. I'll try an dig out the pictures.

A large G or a 4 were common

Here they are I was wrong it was top and bottom-probably a G. But I swear I saw one on a rear cover.

Mine had the large 4 on the cover, not as neat as some. 1978 W72 Auto 3.42.
Also, the various inspection squiggles and dabs in different colours on the casting and leafspring perches. You'll also notice at some point a coating of black underbody spray, basically along the rear of axle tubes and cover where they waved spraygun under car.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6f84154d_b.jpgDiff cover inspection paint 342 78 manual by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a4511f2c_b.jpg342 posi 1978 unrestored1 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7227d594_b.jpgdiff inspection paint 342 4speed 78 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

And this is how it turned out after I rebuilt it. As you can see the bare steel areas came out the wrong colour and almost alloy in shade.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...465189e2_b.jpgDiff restoration complete axles drums 3_12 10 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr


Some original low mileage vehicles. Top is a '78 W72 Auto TA. Bottom is a '79 TATA w/403. Has a blue G under it.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ddff18e5_b.jpg78 Trans Am 342 diff W72 twin mufflers sway bar chassis original by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f340d189_b.jpg79 TATA 403 low miles original suspension diff valve cover label (5) by Aus78Formula, on Flickr