'64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

[Andrew P.]

The 63-64 Technical Manual Pps 73 and 104 would indicate that the exhaust manifolds were painted orange and had no manifold gasket.

Am I reading this correctly? Both ecklers and the few I've seen would seem to indicate a "natural" finish.

Help

-Drew

[Chuck G.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

No gaskets on the exhaust manifolds. They bolt directly to the heads.

Should have orange overspray where they bolt on. IMHO they should not be completely covered with engine orange.

Chuck

[William C.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

No gaskets on any original smallblock exhaust manifold to head mating. In '64 the manifolds were in place when the engine was painted, the entire engine was painted at once, you can draw your own conclusions, but full coverage (which quickly changed once the engine heated up) was the norm. Blocks have been known to have limited coverage in the area behind the exhaust manifold, because the manifold got in the way.

[Andrew P.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

Got it.

Thanks, Guys...

[John M.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

Just out of curiosity, what year did that practice change to non painted manifolds?

[Steven B.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

No gaskets on any original smallblock exhaust manifold to head mating. In '64 the manifolds were in place when the engine was painted, the entire engine was painted at once, you can draw your own conclusions, but full coverage (which quickly changed once the engine heated up) was the norm. Blocks have been known to have limited coverage in the area behind the exhaust manifold, because the manifold got in the way.

Were the engines painted in only the upright position or were they rotated to increase coverage and make the painting job easier and not bend over?

[John M.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

I believe they ran threw on a monorail with spray nozzles positioned at different angles as it went threw as appossed to a guy standing there with a 2 quart spray gun all day.

After about 2 days of that you'de be in a sling.

[John H.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

I believe they ran threw on a monorail with spray nozzles positioned at different angles as it went threw as appossed to a guy standing there with a 2 quart spray gun all day.

After about 2 days of that you'de be in a sling.

The engines were manually sprayed at 300 per hour at both plants - photo below is the Tonawanda paint booth (exhaust manifolds in place); one hose for air, one for paint.

[John M.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

You have got to be kidding me

They did change to a manual system by 69 ish though didn't they? I contacted the Tonawanda historian once trying to track down the correct Chevrolet Orange formula and could swear I remembered him saying the paint sysem was set up automated with nozzles set at various positions and that the manifolds were painted until extended emission testing demanded they be masked due to burn off fumes. Mid 69ish.

I would guess this photo 65-67 due to painted valve covers?

Boy I'd hate to be those operators. Imagine the shoulder burn even holding a couple pounds at shoulder level all day.

And no respirators...


.

[Gary B.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

John,

In '66, when the exhaust manifolds were not on the engine at the time the engine was painted, was the surface where the exhaust manifold were to mate on the head covered with something like a mask to prevent it from being painted? If not, did the paint not cause a problem with exhaust manifold to head sealing?

Gary

[John H.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

John,

In '66, when the exhaust manifolds were not on the engine at the time the engine was painted, was the surface where the exhaust manifold were to mate on the head covered with something like a mask to prevent it from being painted? If not, did the paint not cause a problem with exhaust manifold to head sealing?

Gary

Gary -

I don't recall exactly, but I'd think they ran a piece of tape across the exhaust ports so they didn't get paint on the exhaust valve stems and guides - would also improve the metal-to-metal seal.

[Loren L.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

Bear in mind that whatever "Chevrolet Orange" you are shooting today, it is probable that it is superior to the paint used at Flint/Tonawanda.

[Peter J.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

Here is a photo from Mike McCagh's post today from Tarrytown assembly line

[John M.]

Re: '64 Exhaust Manifolds... Painted Orange?

John,

In '66, when the exhaust manifolds were not on the engine at the time the engine was painted, was the surface where the exhaust manifold were to mate on the head covered with something like a mask to prevent it from being painted?
Gary

The 1968/1969 Judging guide states that small block engines were painted prior to the exhaust manifolds being installed, and Tonawanda sources report the the manifolds were omitted from the engine during painting beginning in 1968, but original low milage post 1968 cars have been found with the manifolds fully painted.

So perhaps a grey area for Big Blocks in Tonawanda.

Was 66 the first year for small block manifolds not being painted?