SKPVette

Hi...new to the forum. Short story, I inherited Dad's 69 Vette that's been sitting for 35 years. Beginning a slow restoration. The oil pan was removed and I was surprised to find yellow spots and coloration on the bottom of the engine. It's all dry...the oil was all drained years ago. I thought it might be paint, but concerned it might be moisture residue. Can't find anything online and was hoping experienced Vette owners might have some insight. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

Tech141

Yes, there is yellow paint/dye on various parts of your engine.

SKPVette

Whew! Good to know!

kanvasman

Do you know any of the history of the engine? Was it rebuilt? Why did they drain the oil. Inquiring minds want to know!

DWAVette

Are you disassembling the engine before cranking it?
if not, you should spin that oil pump via the Distributor shaft to pump oil to those bearings.
I used a cordless drill and got good flow up to the rocker arms.
I’m sure you already know that, but just making sure.

How about a full pic of the car?

Tampa Jerry

I would also remove the spark plugs and squirt a generous amount of Marvel Mystery oil into the combustion chamber to lubricate the rings.Let it sit for a period of time. Do that before you hand crank the engine. I agree with the above, post a few pictures of the car. Jerry

67:72

Does the yellow rub off on a finger or towel? I don't think it's any sort of corrosion since it's only on certain things and not all bare steel. Could it be a dye of some sort? I don't know. The large counterweight certainly looks like paint.
Have you looked under the valve covers for it?

I think if it were mine, and it doesn't easily rub off, I'd send off an oil analysis after an hour of run-time just to see if it's coming off into the oil (and maybe get an idea of what it is). Send pics to the analysis company too.

stingr69

Seems like it could be factory paint. This is a 1980 L-82


Factory blue colored paint on a crankshaft. Rods have pink paint but harder to see here.


Another shot showing factory paint on a crankshaft with the oil pump and baffle removed.