To Paint or not to Paint

[Jack A.]

I am trying to Restore my 61 fuelie to NCRS. I read in the NCRS 61-62 Judging Manual that the Exhaust Manifolds were painted the Engine Color. I also read that the completed engine was put on a hoist with the Manifolds on and painted thus the reason for the paint color. If that is so to what extent were thay painted? I would think if this were true it would be like the Bell Housing which thay say was "was up to the discretion" of the painter. Which is to say completely or possibly just some overspray. I know it will mostly burn off anyway. I have looked at a lot of C 1 vettes and have seen the Manifolds painted everything but Orange. I would like to put some sort of protective finish on them but want it to be correct. Any judges out there??

Thanks,

Jack Alexander 35730

[Dennis A.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

Jack...
The exhaust manifold and bellhousing only had "overspray" from Painting the engine block,heads, front engine mount, harmonic balancer and water pump. Aluminum bellhousing was left natual with varying degrees of engine color overspay.

[Michael H.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

I am trying to Restore my 61 fuelie to NCRS. I read in the NCRS 61-62 Judging Manual that the Exhaust Manifolds were painted the Engine Color. I also read that the completed engine was put on a hoist with the Manifolds on and painted thus the reason for the paint color. If that is so to what extent were thay painted? I would think if this were true it would be like the Bell Housing which thay say was "was up to the discretion" of the painter. Which is to say completely or possibly just some overspray. I know it will mostly burn off anyway. I have looked at a lot of C 1 vettes and have seen the Manifolds painted everything but Orange. I would like to put some sort of protective finish on them but want it to be correct. Any judges out there??

Thanks,

Jack Alexander 35730

If someone handed you a pressure feed spray gun that had about 70-80 PSI of air pressure behind it and a spray pattern that was at least 12" wide, do you think you could have painted any part of the side of the cylinder head without putting a LOAD of paint on the exhaust manifold too?

I chuckle when I see guys add "a little light overspray" to the manifolds near the head surface.

Lemme tell ya what. The sides, top and front/rear and much of the bottom of ALL manifolds on ALL 6 cyl engines, ALL small block engines through 1965 and ALL big block engines through at least 1967, had a load of engine color on them. This "light mist/overspray" thing it completely false.

Also, if manifolds are prepared properly and lacquer thinner washed prior to painting, the paint doesn't burn off. It burns on.
The paint on the majority of the manifold will become black but engine color will remain on some areas for decades.

Ask John Hinckley how much time the engine painters had to paint an entire engine at the engine plants. I promise, there wasn't time to tip toe around and paint selective areas while not painting others.

[John H.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

Photo below shows the beginning of the Engine Dress Line at Tarrytown in 1959; note the paint coverage on the exhaust manifolds. The engine plants (Flint V-8 and Tonawanda) ran 300+ engines per hour through their paint booths, which gave the sprayers 12 seconds per engine - hardly a "concours" paint operation.

[Chris E.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

So how come so few restorations have orange on the manifolds? I know it will burn off. Is that the only reason? I see a ton of cars with grey cast blast style paint on them, and very few with orange.

[Paul Y.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

Michael and John , I am sure thankful that you two are on this board. I am learning so much from you. Thank you very much for dispelling the myths. Paul

[John H.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

So how come so few restorations have orange on the manifolds? I know it will burn off. Is that the only reason? I see a ton of cars with grey cast blast style paint on them, and very few with orange.

Probably because most folks can't stand the appearance of random-coverage/burnt orange paint on their exhaust manifolds; they fly in NCRS judging, but draw negative comments at local shows and cruises.

[Dennis A.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

John...
Great picture and great education....I never seen or know that the exhaust manifold was completely painted.

[Stewart A.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

My original exhaust manifolds had heaps of orange on them after 48 years. They were very rusty with faded orange from factory practically over the complete manifolds. It looked like my motor got the full 12 seconds. Stewy

[Chuck S.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

I have a 16mm movie which show the paint operation at the Flint Engine Plant in 1956. As Michael Hanson said in his post, it looks like the exhaust manifolds got a lot of overspray. The footage reminds me of a guy with a garden hose and spray nozzle watering his lawn.

[Jack A.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

Hi Guys,

Well as usual you guys came through with a comprehensive answer to my question. Special thanks to John Hinkley for the photo. What I saw was a Manifold almost completely painted as well as anything else that got in the way. The "minor overspray" is a joke. I have seen it on NCRS cars before but as with many things I am seeing in Judging it is a little off.

Many thanks for you time,

Jack Alexander 35730

[Michael H.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

I have a 16mm movie which show the paint operation at the Flint Engine Plant in 1956. As Michael Hanson said in his post, it looks like the exhaust manifolds got a lot of overspray. The footage reminds me of a guy with a garden hose and spray nozzle watering his lawn.

Chuck,

I'm VERY interested in the movie that you have. I wonder how difficult it is to convert a 16mm strip to something that could be posted on this site? Or possibly youtube?
How long does the film run? Thanks....

[Rob M.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

I'm sure that the cost can't be that high. There might be people amongst us who can do this for you for free!!!

regards,
Rob.

[Rob M.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

John,

Where are the bellhouses of these engines? If they are not attached at this stage how could they get the overspray?

regards,
Rob.

[Chuck S.]

Re: To Paint or not to Paint

Michael:
I answered your question in a PM.