Paint intake manifold?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: New Wilmington PA
Paint intake manifold?
Howdy folks. This is sort of an odd question but here goes. I need to take my intake manifold off sometime soon and when I do so I'm going to clean it up and such. Here is what it looked like brand new:
It is rough, cast aluminum. And now it's dirty as hell. While ordering a laundry list of items from POR-15 I realized it might look better painted so I picked up a can of black engine enamel. (sp?) The aluminum fuel rails still look nice as does the billet throttle body and I'm kinda thinking the black will show them off a bit. But.... the block is black, the valve covers are black, my water pump is black, engine bay is black, brake booster is black, frame is black, car is black. Am I going overboard with the black? At this rate I'll only have two colors on the car... shiny metal and black.
It is rough, cast aluminum. And now it's dirty as hell. While ordering a laundry list of items from POR-15 I realized it might look better painted so I picked up a can of black engine enamel. (sp?) The aluminum fuel rails still look nice as does the billet throttle body and I'm kinda thinking the black will show them off a bit. But.... the block is black, the valve covers are black, my water pump is black, engine bay is black, brake booster is black, frame is black, car is black. Am I going overboard with the black? At this rate I'll only have two colors on the car... shiny metal and black.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Paint it 
But if you want it to look geat rather than OK use polyurethane automotive paint. the basecoat, clear coat kind. My intake is painted Viper red and it still beautifull.
But if you want it to look geat rather than OK use polyurethane automotive paint. the basecoat, clear coat kind. My intake is painted Viper red and it still beautifull.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Hello,
I like a little contrast with the engine compartment. When I read your post it did sound like everything was painted monochromatic, one color. From your photo the intake manifold looks good the silver color. What if you painted it that color to get rid the discoloration that it has now.
What color is your air cleaner cover? Let me guess...black? Maybe that is where some of the contrast to the engine compartment could come in also.
For your accessory parts are you painting them gloss black, semi gloss or flat black.
kdf 1973 454
kdf 1986 L98
I like a little contrast with the engine compartment. When I read your post it did sound like everything was painted monochromatic, one color. From your photo the intake manifold looks good the silver color. What if you painted it that color to get rid the discoloration that it has now.
What color is your air cleaner cover? Let me guess...black? Maybe that is where some of the contrast to the engine compartment could come in also.
For your accessory parts are you painting them gloss black, semi gloss or flat black.
kdf 1973 454
kdf 1986 L98
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
Completely black motors are very tough looking. You should do it. If you find yourself itching for some contrast, try some polished L82 valve covers. Joe
Edit: I see you have center bolt heads. Some polished ball milled valve covers would set off an all black motor nicely.
Edit: I see you have center bolt heads. Some polished ball milled valve covers would set off an all black motor nicely.
Last edited by joe73vette; Nov 24, 2004 at 07:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by 79VetteMike
can you post pics of the rest of the engine? i think it depends on what valve covers, air cleaner, etc you have.
We need pics Dude!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: New Wilmington PA
Okay, pics. 
They are out of date somewhat.
Different from pic--- Alternator has been cleaned up, wires sleeved. Master cylinder is new and as of yet, unpainted.
Where the yellowed plastic plug is now resides a power distribution stud. Fan and shroud have been replaced with dual Spals.
Sorry the pics are small, they are leftover from the days when the forum wouldn't allow larger images. Weather permitting I'll take a pic tomorrow after work. It's funny, I don't remember it being such a snake nest.
They are out of date somewhat.Different from pic--- Alternator has been cleaned up, wires sleeved. Master cylinder is new and as of yet, unpainted.
Where the yellowed plastic plug is now resides a power distribution stud. Fan and shroud have been replaced with dual Spals.
Sorry the pics are small, they are leftover from the days when the forum wouldn't allow larger images. Weather permitting I'll take a pic tomorrow after work. It's funny, I don't remember it being such a snake nest.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: New Wilmington PA
kdf1986, Accessories are black right now but I plan on replacing the lot. The trouble right now is that the previous owner used brackets from (most likely) an old truck. It has a long waterpump, the power steering pump isn't really in the "right" spot, alternator bracket digs into alternator... etc.
joe73vette, What is ball milled?
joe73vette, What is ball milled?
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 56
From: TX
I picked up a used Performer intake for a song (just about right for my budget) at a car show and sand blasted it. After that I noticed just about any old smudge would stick to it - it was a sponge for dirt so to speak. So I just painted it w/ silver engine paint - I kinda worried it may not adhere well to the alum but that was almost 10 yrs ago and it looks like new today.
The idea of black is starting to grow on me after reading this thread - never really gave it much thought before.
The idea of black is starting to grow on me after reading this thread - never really gave it much thought before.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: New Wilmington PA
Originally Posted by joe73vette
or this:
Thanks! 
Interesting. The consensus seems to be to keep it clear. Understandable as cast iron is always painted, might as well show off the aluminum.
My interest in painting it black comes from contrast. The fuel injectors and requisite wiring (black) are very visible against the light gray manifold. The opposite happens with the nicer bits like the throttle body and highly polished fuel rails, they seem to blend in a little. I was just wondering if painting it would turn that around, showing off the pretty stuff and giving less emphasis to the uglier bits.