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The paint on my 1977 L48 engine is flaking off.
Should I just wait and let it all come off, and let it be...
Are there benefits of painting and engine with a High temp paint? Or is it just for the looks?
I ask this just because with almost all European oldtimers (25 years or older) (I'm from Belgium.) the engine's aren't painted...
Is it because the majority of US cars (oldtimers) have all L6 and V8's? They give off more heat than (Majority of European cars) L4's?
While i of course can't speak on what's typical in your home country as far as whether engines are painted or not, I'd say your paint is probably flaking off due to one of 2 reasons. 1, the original paint is just old and worn, or 2. someone did a poor job of repainting the engine in the past. Either way, if i were mine, I'd do a thorough and complete job of cleaning and degreasing the engine and then repaint in your choice of color. The factory color would be the GM corporate blue, but my preference although incorrect would be Chevy orange, because I think all Chevy small blocks should be orange. I painted my 79 engine Chevy orange.
The European cars probably have aluminum engine blocks; and those shouldn't be painted so the aluminum can dissipate heat better. I would bet that they are intended to run hotter, also. Aluminum parts will oxidize and go dull, but they won't look much different. Cast iron engine blocks will rust and look pretty ugly if not painted.
With any of the "hobby" vehicles that I have owned I have always taken pride in a nicely detailed engine and compartment. I'm sure a C3 Vette is not a common site in Belgium and when people ask to see under the hood....
The engine as difficult as it could be in the car with everything on it is a challenge . However the block MUST be free from oil type contaminates. Wipe as much as you can with acetone or lacquer thinner BEFORE priming and or painting.
RVZIO
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Defintiely paint it. Just a little will make a huge difference
BEFORE
AFTER chrome covers C2 covers
VHT high heat engine paints. If it was an aluminium block I would clean and paint it clear. If its iron, leaving it, it would be Chevy rust colored orange or you could wait for the oil to cover it and t wouldnt be rusty anymore(LOL)
Painting it in the car would be a major hassle. I would wait for the paint to chip off and when you have time to pull it, you could paint the motor and clean the engine compartment at the same time. AND WHILE YOUR IN THERE.........you could pull the motor apart since its out to be painted and change all the gaskets, and since its apart for gaskets you could replace the bearings, and since your going through all the trouble to take it apart you could hone the cyliinders but since theyre out why not bore it and make it a 383 or bigger!!! YA thats the ticket.
seriously though, ya it looks better painted
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Jan 6, 2018 at 08:56 AM.
to clean the engine in the car is a lot of work and your going to have to remove a lot to do a good job. if you have the time, tools and willingness it would be best to pull the engine, replace all the gaskets you can. then clean it very well and paint it the color of your choice. it may seem like a lot of work and overwhelming but it would be worth it in the end.
With any of the "hobby" vehicles that I have owned I have always taken pride in a nicely detailed engine and compartment. I'm sure a C3 Vette is not a common site in Belgium and when people ask to see under the hood....
A clean engine and drivetrain makes identifying the source of potential fluid leaks much easier. Also, working on the car becomes more pleasant--or less of a chore--depending on your perspective. And if you've gone to the trouble of cleaning the engine, that would be a great time to paint it. Showing your clean, painted engine to others is a treat.
I would paint the block, it looks great and makes it easier to spot leaks, I repainted the motor in my Camaro with it still in the car, it really wasn't that hard and I actually enjoyed doing it.
I have seen blocks painted any color under the rainbow, even match the outside of the car. I like the block painted black with SOME chrome parts(not too much here). It really makes the little chrome stand out, so does the orange.
Engine painted or not?
