Tonawanda plant overspray revisited

[Steve Antonucci]

In the ever ongoing issue of "what is correct" overspray on the big block
engines assembled at Tonawanda, I would pose the following questions:

1) What external components were assembled to the engine when painting ocurred?

waterpump? exhaust manifolds? dip stick? any hoses? other?

2) If L/89 option specified, were the heads oversprayed in any areas?

Any documented examples?

3) The bypass hose from the front of the intake to the waterpump is of

particular interest here. Would that hose (with clamps) have been

present at the time of painting?

Are there any ex-Tonawanda employees present here, or elsewhere that can
verify any of this for us? I see so many versions of overspray that I am
getting confused. It's not an issue of disputing anyone, but rather one of
better understanding the final state of the engines during painting.

Lastly, and this is probably opening up Pandora's box, but can anyone tell me
the engine painting process in general? If the Tonawanda engines looked
anything like my engines after assembly, they were an oil slick waiting to
happen. How were they degreased prior to painting? Or were they degreased?

Thanks guys!

Steve

[Peter M.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray revisited

Steve

Fortunately the Tonowanda engine assembly process was written up and documented with photographs in the 1966 Corvette News magazine Volume 9 No. 5. External components were assembled including heads with valve covers,oil pan water pump,intake and exhaust manifold, bypass hose and clamp and bell housing. A paper tube was placed over the top passenger side water pump stud so the threads reamained free of paint. A masking hood was placed over the intake manifold to protect the aluminum manifold but overspray found its way in varying degrees all along the edges and intake bolt areas. Little or no paint found its way under the exhaust manifolds, runs were common on the valvecovers and oil pan.

[Peter M.]

Re: Harmonic balancer was installed as well *NM*

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray revisited

Peter,

Thanks for the input. OK, I'll bite. Where does one go about getting a
reprint or copy of that article you mentioned? I'd love to read it !

Steve

[Gary C.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray revisited

I was able to buy one on eBay. It is a good read. Shaving Cream was a part of the assembly process!

It will take me some time, but if you send me the info, I will try to get a copy to you.

[Terry M.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray revisited

One does need to qualify what year one is talking about. Assembly practices changed over the years.

[Mark #28455]

for 1969 L89 overspray on heads

I bought several sets of original low mileage early takeoff heads and the only thing you can be certain of is that there is no one way the heads were painted! For 1969, apparently the exhaust manifolds were NOT attached to the heads as all of my heads had paint overspray on the exhaust side of the heads, and you could even see bands of color changes underneath each of the manifold runners. The heads for my L89 had about 1/2" of overspray on either end with a sharp but not crisp edge (so, apparently not masked with tape, but with a barrier like plastic or cardboard held very close to the head), the overspray on the sides of the heads went all the way up to the bottom of the exhaust ports and had a feathered edge like no masking at all was used. My L88 had the same 1/2" or so on the ends of the heads, but only up to the head bolt line on the sides of the heads. I'd really like to see what others experience was too.

Mark

[Michael H.]

Re: for 1969 L89 overspray on heads

Mark,

I agree, I think you have the aluminum head overspray described very accurately. I vividly remember looking at these L89 engines when they were brand new and still sitting in crates or engine dollies and the 1/2" semi masked line on the bottom edge of the head is exactly right. I remember thinking that it looked crude and the guys at engine plant should do a better job on this.

[James W.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray revisited

Gary,

I would also like a copy of the BB engine painting information. Please email me at jb.west@cox.net and I'll send you a SESE and some funds for mailing it back to me.

Thanks,

James West
Omaha, NE.

[Peter M.]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray revisited

My comments referred to 1966 painting technique for Big Block engines

[Greg L.]

Re: for 1969 L89 overspray on heads

I have also heard that the 69 BB manifolds were not installed when the engine was painted however the 69 sales brochure that I have clearly shows that they were painted.

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: for 1969 L89 overspray on heads

Greg,

Can you scan that image and post it here for us?

Steve

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: Tonawanda plant overspray revisited

So sorry guys! My questions pertain to 68-70 BBC engines.

Steve

[Greg L.]

Re: for 1969 L89 overspray on heads

Sorry Steve but my scanner and I aren't talking tonight.

How about a digital pic? The quality isn't the best but then again neither is the brochure. At least it clearly shows painted exhaust manifolds.


Greg

[Michael H.]

Re: for 1969 L89 overspray on heads

Greg,

That's a great shot of the orange painted manifold. That's exactly what I've been trying to describe to everyone for the last 30 years. It sure wasn't that "mist coat" that seems to be all the rage on some restored engines. That's just exactly how I remember these things from the 60's.

I don't remember for sure if or when these manifolds were left unpainted but I know they were painted this way in 65-67. The engine in the pic appears to be 68 or 69?