Engine compartment paint?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, Mo, USA
Engine compartment paint?
Who makes the right color of blue GM engine paint for a 78. I have tried different brands and they are off in color. Also how about the black in the compartment? Semi-gloss? Does it matter which brand? Engine is out and I am completing the rebuild. I plan on painting it all at once. How about the manifolds? Can you paint them or shoudl you use manifold dressing?
Pro
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
Re: Engine compartment paint? (78dave)
What's the deal with corporate blue? I thought all chevy blocks were orange?
I've seen a few blue blocks in unrestored originals, but what years and why (if there's an answer) did the general go blue?
Mike.
[Modified by Speedracer74, 10:49 AM 1/23/2002]
I've seen a few blue blocks in unrestored originals, but what years and why (if there's an answer) did the general go blue?
Mike.
[Modified by Speedracer74, 10:49 AM 1/23/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
Re: Engine compartment paint? (paul79)
The best match for the firewall, inner fenders, radiator mounting area, underside of hood, etc. is Krylon semi-flat. The resto guys sware by this color as the closest match to the original factory blackout of the engine compartment. An exception on the earlier C3s (not sure about the 79 which may be yellow-chromate plated instead) is the brake booster which is gloss black on my 69. I agree with the post above in using the hi-heat resistant original GM blue paint for the engine block and heads. BTW, if your cap on the brake fluid reservoir is faded, GM still carries the yellow-chromated NOS part for ~$15 which will also dress up the engine compartment. Have fun and do it all now while the engine is out! :smash:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Engine compartment paint? (Speedracer74)
The engine went blue in 1977 and black in August of 1982. The story is quite interesting. In the mid-1970s some fellow bought a new Oldsmobile and found a Chevy Orange 350 under the hood. GM was going "corporate" with its engines at that time. In other words, Buick, Olds, Pontiac, etc. V8 engines gave way to the ubiquitous SBC. The fellow sued GM for misrepresentation of product: he wanted an Olds V8. I do not recall if he won the case but shortly thereafter all GM engines went to a common colour - Corporate Blue.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: Haysville Ks
Re: Engine compartment paint? (78dave)
Speedracer74: Orange was used on the Chevy small block until 74 or 75. I think when GM started using the HEI distributors and cats they started painting the engines blue.
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