CanadaGrant

I'm putting together my 427 L36 and had a couple of questions about how it came from the factory.
Are the two factory lift hooks painted orange or black?
When the heads were painted, was the flat mating surface just above the intake ports, between the intake and valve covers painted or was the machined surface left in bare metal?
Thanks guys.

Alan 71

Hi CG,
I would think on an engine with an aluminum intake manifold and chrome valve covers the surface of the head you describe would be un-painted.
The front lifting eye on an engine with an aluminum intake manifold would be painted silver or be just 'natural'.
I believe the rear lifting eye would be painted engine orange.
Regards,
Alan

The 68-69 TIM&JG mentions that about 15 seconds were allotted for painting the engine.

CanadaGrant

Thanks for the info Alan. That's the way it's going to be then!

Alan 71

Hi CG,
It would be nice if someone else 'verified'.
BBs are a bit out of my small realm.
Regards,
Alan

dugsgms74

Front lift bracket is unpainted, rear is orange. Engine was painted with dummy valve covers and "mask" over intake manifold so area you speak of is mostly orange with slight over spray on intake manifold.

CanadaGrant

Thanks for the info. I was kind of wondering about the gap between the intake and valve covers as if left unpainted, it would show rust. My intake was never off the engine until I got at it.... and showed no signs of paint over spray.

dugsgms74

I don't suppose you have any pics of it before removal?, I'd love to see it. The over spray thing is one of those NCRS things that we accept to be true(not saying that it isn't) but the actual truth lies in survivor examples.

CanadaGrant

No I don't but have a pic but removed the intake to check cam wear and found no paint on the aluminum. The only pic I have of the intake just after removal is the one below.

JC68

CG

When I bought my 68 435hp car the engine had never been opened up. The head area between the valve cover and intake manifold was painted orange and there was some trace of over spray on the intake manifold.

How much is hard to say, as I'm sure much of it had come of in the last 40 years, but it appears to have been very minimal originally. Nothing like the large over spray you see on many cars going for NCRS judging.

It was mainly confined to the narrow face of the intake that is adjacent to the head. It had just a little bit on the top faces of the intake itself and only in a couple locations, mainly by the heater hose port at the front of the engine. Unfortunately at the time I didn't have a good camera to take pictures. Since then I've had the engine rebuilt and didn't waste my time trying to recreate the look it was so minimal.

John

CanadaGrant

Here is what I have so far. I cross drilled the crank for improved oiling after going .010/.010, used Keith Black forged pistons, a small Comp roller cam to be reliable but "close" to stock and a bunch of other little things. The original smog pump is going back on. The stamp pad still matches the rest of the car.

CanadaGrant

Thanks John. I don't think the area between the intake and top of the head was left bare. I did leave it alone as you can see in the above pic but I think it was painted so will go with that.

JC68

Looks good. Don't forget to paint your damper if you want the factory look.

John

Alan 71

Hi,
Here are a few pictures from an interesting BB paint thread on the Discussion Board.
First, one from John Hinkley showing the Tonawanda paint line. It appears to me the engines have painted valve covers and intake manifolds.
Then, 2 showing a restored engine done by Mark D. showing painted valve covers but an aluminum intake. I chose these 2 to show his interpretation of the orange 'mask' line.
I don't know nearly enough to understand if the head surface being discussed in this thread was painted on an engine with chrome valve covers and and an aluminum intake manifold or not. In looking at the photo it appears the painter would have to do some pretty nifty twisting of his wrist to get any paint at all on those head surfaces.
So, if nothing else, enjoy the first picture and the interpretation.
Regards,
Alan

JC68

The pictures Alan shows are actually very close to what I had on my car. There was a little bit less than what the picture shows. A lot of the overspray had fallen off over the years, but some was clearly visible on the intake manifold surface adjacent to the head just as shown in the pictures.

John

CanadaGrant

Thanks for all the info guys! Am definitely going to put a coat of paint on the head surface and maybe just a touch on the edge of the intake.

Faster Rat

Here is a picture of my very original '69 L36 after initial cleaning in '04

The next picture is my engine after rebuild and painting by Dave Walters' shop

Dave is a top, award-winning Bloomington judge and Survivor expert