Engine Judging Question

[Paul C.]

My 1971 LT-1 engine has never been rebuilt. I have had the water pump, PS pump, etc rebuild and repainted--so they are all off the engine. Repainted intake, oil pan, & exhaust manifolds.

Question: Is it better to just clean the engine of oil & dirt and leave it the way it is OR clean as well as possible and repaint the orange areas I can reach.

[Edward J.]

Re: Engine Judging Question

Paul, unless the car is a bowtie car , I would say yes clean up touch up what you can, just duplicate the factory look, it's just a cleaner look when looking under hood.

[Michael J.]

Re: Engine Judging Question

I agree with Ed, peeling and missing paint is not attractive, even a 10 footer touch up looks better.

[Paul C.]

Re: Engine Judging Question

Thanks for your input. I'll touch it up the best Any NCRS Judges have an opinion? Again Thank You for your advice.

[Michael J.]

Re: Engine Judging Question

As a chassis judge, I appreciate when things are cleaned up and spruced up, lets me not take big deductions for "cleanliness".

[Paul C.]

Re: Engine Judging Question

THANK YOU. That's I needed to hear.

[Tim E.]

Re: Engine Judging Question

Good question Paul. Since engine paint color is a judged item, make sure you match your touch up paint to the original paint on your engine.

It's hard to know what shape the original engine paint is. Assuming it's mildly stained, some has peeled off, and some is mildly discolored....I'd say from a judging perspective you would probably break even as far as any deductions are concerned. Unless you actually paint the engine out of the car, a judge may still take an originality deduction. He would likely take a condition deduction with the paint as is.

If the current paint is really tired, you would probably be better off touching up areas you can get to (including the oil pan and the bottom end of the engine).

If the original engine paint is at all presentable, I always appreciate seeing it in it's original state and try to reward the owner for leaving it that way.

Tim

[Michael J.]