Were the 71 E body tube jack posts plated like a gold cad or something else? TIA

I believe the tube style masts were zinc dichromate plated.(gold) That's how my 73 was.

Gold (yellow) zinc should be about right

yellow zinc

Has anyone come up with a good way to get the jack mechanism off (and back on) the tube so it can be replated? Thanks

Mike - I don't speak emoticon very well. What does the mean?

The posts have a dimple at each end that keep the mechanism from coming off. Flatten the dimple on one end just enough to allow the mechanism to slip off. After painting the mechanism and plating the post, reassemble and re-dimple.

And, if you check the mechanism carefully, you will see it was dip painted, not spray painted.

Thanks - Any suggestions on how to re-dimple?

Bruce-I compress mine just enough in a vise to get the mech off.Once replace,I used a "reverse" pliers/snap ring pliers and was able to push the dimple back out enough to keep the mech from sliding off.Not that we'll ever use them

Thanks Jum - So you are talking about the dimple at the top of the tube right? I couldn't see how to re-dimple/re-strike the flares at the bottom of the tube.

Yup

Thanks!