Rd.adam@hotmail.com

I have a pair of 1990 ZR1 cars. One engine is a much darker grey color. Is this normal to have a variable color on these cars? They both appear to be original cars

z06scentair

The lighter grey color is the correct shade. Depending on how the engines were stored and or cleaned.

Solvents, dergreasers, heavy detergents are a big No No for the LT5.

Most likely someone tried to clean the engine with too harsh of a chemical which turned the finish darker.

This is the correct color.

bigike

Any way to get the stock color back?

USAZR1

Unfortunately,repainting or powdercoating them is probably the only way.

Aaron71771

Repainting the top is not too hard of a job and can be done with the engine still in the car.

Rkreigh

you can try re-polishing the engine but it will be darker than factory

Rkreigh

I'd really like to try this, do you pull the plenum and injector housings and then just paint those off the car.

the only tough job is getting those cam cover bolts out and removing the brake booster

I'm not going there!! my back doesn't like those contortions anymore

FASTAZU

I cleaned my 93 with cleaner wax to remove stains it did darken it a bit.

Before



After

ZR-71

I forget, where do we get the stock color paint?

FASTAZU

http://jerrysgaskets.com/store2/root...roducts_id=658

Just re-painted my TB with it, as you can see in the pic above it was in bad shape.

ZR-71

Thanks
I should have known it was Jerry's

Dynomite

Removing Cam Covers (Engine In Car) for Inspections of Camshafts

See item #3 Eliminating TB Coolant and Air Induction, Added Oil Catch Can and Painting

Aaron71771

You don't need to take the plenum off, or the cam covers. I took the plug wire off the plugs and bagged them away from the paint area, remove any other vacumn hoses or wires that are in the way. Use tape to mask off the areas you dont want paint. I stuffed newspaper in the gaps in the plenum so paint didn't get in there. Use plastic drop cloth all the way around the engine.

Doesn't take long to look at the motor and figure out what you can remove with little effort, what you need to cover with tape. I made little tape "hats" on my finger and then put them on the various cam and plenum bolts. Some hoses and connectors can be moved out of the way and tucked into a baggie.

Then just use a scour pad to rough it a little and apply several light coats of paint.

Zrxmax

I believe if you take the C beam off you can lower the motor a bit to get better access to the cam cover bolts at the rear. A bit less trouble than removing the brake booster and heat exchanger cover. It is still a tough job but worth the effort.