'65 396 Intake Manifold...Painted or Natural???

[James W.]

According to the latest 1965 NCRS Judging Guide it states that the 396 intake manifold bolts were black phosphate coated/colored and that the aluminum intake manifold was painted silver. Was the entire manifold painted silver or just a quick touch up in the area of the intake manifold bolts?

What is correct?

Thanks,

James West

[Keith B.]

Re: '65 396 Intake Manifold...Painted or Natural??

The manifold on my unrestored car does not have any traces of silver on the manifold. There are traces of orange overspray left in spots. The description is the same for the L79,L76,and L84 manifolds in the judging guide. With the small blocks there was a procedure where the intake was sprayed with silver paint. It was sprayed about three inches in width and covered the machined portion of the head, the edge of the manifold, and covered the bolts. This went down the length of the mainifold. Some would say that it was used to cover back over any orange that was sprayed on the manifold and to cover the bare portion of the head. My manifold has only been cleaned (I used lacquer thinner) on some spots and never pulled anything that looked like silver paint off.

Leave it natural.

Keith

[Barbara S.]

Re: '65 396 Intake Manifold...Painted or Natural??

According to the JG, the thermostat housing should be painted silver.

Best,
Tony

ps. Keith: can you post more photos of your engine compartment?

Thanks!

[Bill W.]

Re: '65 396 Intake Manifold...Painted or Natural??

I dont think any 396 intakes were painted silver unless someone really got sloppy with the orange. ..16120 did not have any silver just a light orange mist.

[James W.]

Re: '65 396 Intake Manifold...Painted or Natural??

Guys,

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it very much.

Best Regards,

James West