1958: Obscure Color "Correctness" Question

[wbdeford]

I am rebuilding my center link and noticed that one of my springs has orange and blue ends, and the other does not.  The new ones in the kit have those colors.  Anyone know if the originals are like that?  I'm guessing they were not, and that one of mine was replaced before with the idler arm, but....

I know this totally doesn't matter....just curious.

[fishnjim]

Usually covered in grease, so not noticed.   
Maybe a makers mark for different spring rates, so can be distinguished, but a guess.   I'm pretty sure mine were all original, but one never knows for sure.
Since it's the same as the other one, I wouldn't worry.

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

To build on Jim's comments, in 1966 the springs are color marked to denote different spring rates for different models and equipment. The color code is listed in the SM.

[wbdeford]

This was a curiosity question, not a worry question

I talked to a blacksmith friend who said the colors come about from heat, probably when the ends were flattened.  The blue means it got hotter than where it was orange, and the rest didn't get hot enough for that.