Just wondering if anybody can tell me what the factory color/ finish was on a 727 Torquelite dipstick and tube on a 1970 340. Mine were bead blasted during rebuilding. Pictures I took before appear to be a phosphate finish but I really can't tell for certain.

Phosphate Tube
Natural Handle

Thanks AAR#2. Looks like I'll put some RPM on the handle and figure out how to phosphate the tube.

Zinc Phosphate is easily done at home, chemicals can be purchased from Brownells and then you need a stainless pot, pretty large one in this case. I have a friend who's a pool guy, some old DE filter canisters were stainless so we cut the top off, welded a plug in the bottom and now I have a LARGE pot for cooking. It worked perfectly for the rear brake backer plates as well. I have a smaller stainless bowl I use for small jobs like fasteners.
Good luck

Eastwood has a phosphate paint that looks like the original.

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-zinc-phosphat...CFQdsfgod8BcA3g

I read about that product but couldn't find any pictures of how it looked after application. I will probably take the tube to my local plater and let them finish it for me.