1963 Chevy Orange Engine Paint

[Ron G.]

Re: 1963 Chevy Orange Engine Paint

Sven,

The original engine orange paint that was used on the Flint Engine Assembly plant was Sherwood Willams, code: JK4892. The following information was obtained through several conversations with employees at the plant. A couple of things. First, you can still obtain this paint if you go to an automotive paint supply store and provide them with the code that I previously noted. Secondly, just an FYI - the original formula was an oil base product. In calendar year January 1971, the formula was changed to a water base product. I believe this was due to EPA standards. - Ron

[Sven C.]

Re: 1963 Chevy Orange Engine Paint

Sven, If you pre-coat the castings with a cast colored paint you will find that the Orange covers much quicker and easier.

Thanks for the info Joe. I won't be doing the painting ( I want a good job done), so I will definitely mention it to the person doing the job.

[Sven C.]

Re: 1963 Chevy Orange Engine Paint

[ATTACH=CONFIG]115231[/ATTACH]Used this on my '63.................passed NCRS 2022 Regional Judging. Bruce

Thanks Bruce. I found the catalog and the description sounds good. Good to know that it passed judging. Another one to investigate.

[Sven C.]

Re: 1963 Chevy Orange Engine Paint

Sven,

The original engine orange paint that was used on the Flint Engine Assembly plant was Sherwood Willams, code: JK4892. The following information was obtained through several conversations with employees at the plant. A couple of things. First, you can still obtain this paint if you go to an automotive paint supply store and provide them with the code that I previously noted. Secondly, just an FYI - the original formula was an oil base product. In calendar year January 1971, the formula was changed to a water base product. I believe this was due to EPA standards. - Ron

Thanks Ron. I saw that from a previous post in the archives. Just out of curiosity, were you ever able to compare the oil and water based paints? Just wondering if there was much difference.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Chevy Orange Engine Paint

All------

My distinct recollection is that 1963-65 small blocks were painted with a paint that was more red than orange. In fact, even later were more red than orange but not quite as red as 1963-65.

Big blocks were always way more orange than red but still had a little red in them.

[David B.]

Re: 1963 Chevy Orange Engine Paint

Harry, is the orange red the 1956 engine color? Steve

To answer your question. I doubt the Chevy orange red mentioned would be correct for the '56 engine red color. The late Sam Folz researched this question in the late 1970's. I believe he even provided a color code. If you have early Restorers this would be around volume 3.

[Ron G.]

Re: 1963 Chevy Orange Engine Paint

Sven,

In regard to shade of color there is no visible difference. I do know that big blocks were painted with an orange/reddish shade. - Ron

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Chevy Orange Engine Paint

To answer your question. I doubt the Chevy orange red mentioned would be correct for the '56 engine red color. The late Sam Folz researched this question in the late 1970's. I believe he even provided a color code. If you have early Restorers this would be around volume 3.

David------


My vague recollection is that the 1956 engine color was a straight red with little or no orange in it. My guess is this: in the "days-of-yore" the engines of GM vehicle divisions had unique and specific colors for their engines. Cadillac V-8's were dark blue, Oldsmobile V-8's were red, Buick V-8's were green, and Pontiac V-8's were light blue. Chevrolet made a mistake and used red for their V-8 engine color. Someone (particularly someone at the Oldsmobile Division) might have recognized that this was the same (or nearly the same) as Oldsmobile. So, for 1957 it was changed to orange. As I say, strictly a guess, though.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Chevy Orange Engine Paint

All------

I've posted this some time ago but I'll do it again. These are the original valve covers with original paint from my original owner 1969 Corvette 350. These were removed from the car very early in its life and replaced by the L-46 aluminum covers and the photos very accurately depict the original color. Please note that the paint color has much red in it. It is definitely not what folks think of as "Chevrolet Orange". My recollection is that the 1963-65 engine paint color had even more red in it.


1969originalvalvecovers.pdf

[Ron G.]

[David B.]

Re: 1963 Chevy Orange Engine Paint

David------


My vague recollection is that the 1956 engine color was a straight red with little or no orange in it. My guess is this: in the "days-of-yore" the engines of GM vehicle divisions had unique and specific colors for their engines. Cadillac V-8's were dark blue, Oldsmobile V-8's were red, Buick V-8's were green, and Pontiac V-8's were light blue. Chevrolet made a mistake and used red for their V-8 engine color. Someone (particularly someone at the Oldsmobile Division) might have recognized that this was the same (or nearly the same) as Oldsmobile. So, for 1957 it was changed to orange. As I say, strictly a guess, though.

Joe, Agree re: different engine colors. As mentioned Sam Folz wrote an interesting article on the red '56 color. I was wrong about it being around volume #3. Found his article in volume 6 #2 pg. 8 & 9.