Engine Color

[eric wissing]

I see a lot of blue on the engines, Don's and others and then a lot of silver. Both like good. I was just curious what the blue color is from? Is silver the original color and was the blue on some Chryslers? Mine has a nice rust patina . If I remove it , won't I lose a lot of value? (seen that on "Roadshow". Eric

[Young Ed]

Later mopar engines were a similar blue. They also had red. For a while red was the color and some years red was for the hipo engines. Around 69-70 the plain 440 was blue and the TNT version red.

[Plymouthy Adams]

you forgot yellow and black for some mopar engines.....believeit was said all flatties in cars were silver.

[Young Ed]

Tim never seen yellow or black for more modern ones. Some of the first flatheads were black with a silver head. I think they had a hipo flathead with a red head instead of silver too. Also during the war the trucks got dull gray engines instead.

[TodFitch]

Grease and rust appear to be the most common "color" for all old car engines regardless of manufacturer or make.

From the factory the block was black from 1928-36 with a sliver head (stock) or red (high performance option). From 1937 up the block and head were both silver for the L-6 engines. See:

http://www.ply33.com/Backmatter/EngineColor

I recall that the 318 cu. in. V8 in our 1963 Plymouth wagon was red. And I know that the 318 cu. in. V8 in my old 1963 Dodge D200 pickup was red. Oddly, I have less recollection of the color of the four banger in my 1982 Plymouth TC3. I vaguely recall a black and silver theme for that.

[Plymouthy Adams]

P4120751 Race Hemi Orange used on max wedge cars 413-426 Cross Ram 1962-64 and 426 Race Hemi's 1964-65

P4349216 Street hemi Orange 426 Hemi's 1966-71 also the 1969-71 HiPo 383 and 440 and in 1970-71 the 340

P4120750 Black All 2.2 since 1981, and 318-360 since 1983

P4120752 Turquoise used on all B/RB diring 1961-71 with the exception of the 383/440 Hipo that were Street Hemi Orange

P4349218 Red all 273 from 1964-69 1968-69 340 and most mid60's 318

P4349217 blue all production engines 19+72-83 with e the exception of the 2.2 Most 319 from about 1967 through 1972

P4519144 Yellow Used on many early 1960's slant 6 including truck

P4529148 Aluminum Silver used as far back as 1940 and into early 60's also most of the 50's and early hemi's

P4529149 Gold Metallic The Golden Lion of the late 1950's and early 60's as well as the Golden Commado and DeSoto Adventurer

Reference..Mopar Engines. book Part #P445790 in resoration section, page 64

[Norm's Coupe]

Eric, throw value to the wind and paint it whatever color you want, or like. After all it's just paint. If you ever sell and the buyer doesn't like it, tell him either to lump it or buy him a can of paint that's the right color. It's your car and you want to enjoy looking at it. My engine is MG Maroon because it's what I wanted.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I posted all of that for the sake of those who never seen any yaller engines

[eric wissing]

Norm, your engine looks great. Never seen a yellow engine, Tim. The silver reminds me of the old silver paint (probably loaded with lead) that my Grandfather used it on everything metal, railings, milboxes, you name it. If it was outside he used that silver. It sure held up well. Eric

[Young Ed]

Hmm I wonder if the /6 in dads 63 valiant should really be yellow then.....

[Don Coatney]

The blue on my engine is offical Crashler blue rattle can. I picked blue as it matched my car color. I am now in the planning stages of installing my Spitfire head. I will most likely go with an other color for contrast but I have not yet made up my mind on what color to use. As this Spitfire head is getting the full race treatment with a shave and haircut and CC treatment I feel I must go with a racing color and of course the Spitfire LOGO will be highlighted in a different color.

[eric wissing]

Don, you could go black on the head and remove the paint on the lettering. Just a thought. Eric

[Don Coatney]

Eric;

My thoughts are currently running bling red head, white for the spitfire LOGO and blue engine in keeping with the all Amarican red-white-blue. But nothing is cast in granite at this time. Black is not an option as I want the engine to be the focal point with no chrome or black/white contrast.

[eric wissing]

Polka-dot? Eric

[Don Coatney]

Polka-dot? Eric

No. Plaid:D

[Norm's Coupe]

Don,

If it's contrast and an expression of a "HOT" engine. Paint the head read, lettering white and put yellow flames on it. Then you'll have a "Real Hot" American flag color that is flaming "HOT":D

[55 Fargo]

Speaking of hot, what enamels are best for engine painting, will Tremclad (Rustoleum), stand up on the engine block, not the manifolds, just the block. Or do I need to get High heat paint for the block also...........Fred now I am thinking of pulling the engine again, but I know I can paint it reasonably well in the car........Fred

[Norm's Coupe]

Speaking of hot, what enamels are best for engine painting, will Tremclad (Rustoleum), stand up on the engine block, not the manifolds, just the block. Or do I need to get High heat paint for the block also...........Fred now I am thinking of pulling the engine again, but I know I can paint it reasonably well in the car........Fred

Fred,

You can get engine enamel like I did from Bill Hirsch for about $30 a quart. Or, you can pick up some engine enamel from the local parts stores in various colors. You should use heat resistant paint and engine enamels are heat resistant. By the way, the cost of a rattle can of engine enamel at the parts store is about the same as a rattle can of Rustoleum. I believe Don Coatney used the rattle cans on his engine. My son also used the rattle cans on his 350 engine. Both engines have a lot of miles on them now and still look good. At least Don's did last year when I saw it in person. I also used rattle can black engine enamel on my radiator. That was 9 years ago and it still looks like the day I painted it.

[47heaven]

Somewhere on the main page there used to be a chart that showed what parts of the P15 engine were originally painted. I can't seem to find it anymore. There is one on this thread, but it's for a 1933. I need something for 1946-48. Anyone know where that info is on here?

[Young Ed]

http://www40.addr.com/~merc583/mopar/framesets/referenceframeset.html

you have to hit the link to go back to the pages that look like the old forum.

[TodFitch]

Somewhere on the main page there used to be a chart that showed what parts of the P15 engine were originally painted. I can't seem to find it anymore. There is one on this thread' date=' but it's for a 1933. I need something for 1946-48. Anyone know where that info is on here?[/quote']

Go to the main site, click on "Reference" on the right hand bar. Then select "Paint Details" from the top right pull down.

[1just4don]

I was thinking of that also. My grandpa's Dodge was that dark blue. I was 'taught' never to change color on a car,(peeling paint makes a liar of you) So what color would go with the dark blue exterior?? The light blue doesnt seem like it would work cause it mostly clashes... Black maybe??? But the engine compartment should be sprayed black and that would be too much. Radiator black at least,,,maybe firewall the dark blue like outside. I dont care for the silver too well cause seems it disapears or looks bad sooner cause it shows every spec of dirt,grease, oil, etc. Orange would look really out of place in there. Green and blue dont go together. So what color of engine would look best,not show every spec,and last the longest in a DARK blue Dodge??? Wouldnt it look best if the motor,bellhousing, and trans was all painted same color???

What I was sorta thinking of is a dark tan,,about the color of Pete's exterior for motor color,,,would THAT look out of place for motor,housing and tranny??? and hide a bit of dust??? or would same dark blue as outide color blend better,,,or do you WANT it to blend???

Guys you are all fighting an uphill battle here,,,my dad always said"paint dont make the wheels go round". Ps---I like fresh paint for good looks!!! he never spent a dime on anything that didnt need done!! I like to do good practices and if it looks good,,,I feel good!! What say all you???

[eric wissing]

Don, that is a tough one. I don't do much of the color choosing in this house. Silver is a nice neutral collor but a real light tan or even the brown would be good. Like I said I am the wrong one to pick. Eric

[BobT-47P15]

Here is one man's version on a 47 coupe....

This motor in a 1950 sedan.

In a nice '35 sedan.

'51 Plym....colors worn off, but appear to be as original.

[bobby horne]

After taking off several layers of paint off my 36 engine, behind the starter under a lot of grease was a couple of square inches of dark green color, so I painted the engine dark green, also going dark green with the interior.....