C3 1980 Intake manifold color

[Bob S.]

I see on the discussion board archives, my question was addressed over 1 year ago, however I was wondering if any new information has surfaced that would assist me. My question pertains to the early 1980 production cars Ie Sept-Nov 1979 and the color of the intake manifolds. The tech manual says they should be a dull silver color, my car's is blue. It is the correct aluminum intake for the car but I am not certain, if it has been repainted The reason I ask is, the oil pan and valve covers, were repainted and the wrong color blue so I plan to have those pulled and repainted the correct GM blue and need to know how I should handle the intake and if it left the factory the "dull silver color". what paint and color should I look for.
Thanks in advance for your help

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 1980 Intake manifold color

Bob:

What's the motor? L82s were typically those that were painted the dull silver color but understand all were painted blue from the engine factory; delivered to the Corvette assembly plant with blue paint and L82s painted dull silver. Can't locate my 80 tech manual but seem to recall at some point all received same treatment.

I've got to do some touchup with "dull silver" so I'll be looking for correct paint as well. I'll do some research and post.

[Bob S.]

Re: C3 1980 Intake manifold color

Tom,

Thank you for your response. Motor is the L48 and 80 tech manual says dull silver for the intake. It doesn't appear that this is correct at least for the early cars, mine is 5575 & is definitely light blue, but of course I have no way to know if that is how it came from the factory.

[Tom R.]

Re: The Tech Manual

First caution is not to always believe the tech manual is correct. We find many deviations from our field judging that don't make it into the manual...which means you may have an original paint configuration that would add new knowledge to the manual.

Manuls were written based on a sample of original cars but not necessarily a selection of VINs. Assumptions were made that all were produced like the sample survey models and than it gets locked in as the golden rules of judging. I was a member of those late model manual writing teams so I'm quite familiar with the process.

I would look closely for any previous signs of silver paint. Look around the thermostat housing, around the edges of the manifold front and rear and even the distributor.

If originality doesn't matter, I learned that 78 L82 guys use Plasti-Kote silver paint and say that it matches up nicely. Look for HP-14 Aluminum (high temp)