1964 300hp 327 engine paint scheme

[Jef S.]

Okay so I have pretty much finished my 1960 just in time for winter. So of course I jumped right into a 64 barn find. The car has never been apart the engine apparantly never been worked on. I had to cut original style radiator hose clamps off. My question is color scheme for the engine. The flywheel cover is black and has clearly never been repainted. The oil pan is black there is orange overspray on the bottom of the bellhousing the dipstick tube is black the oil fill tube is black the oil fill cap is the small chrome model the oil filter cannister is black. My question is is the oil pan suppose to be black. The black and white underside images in the Noland Adams book look like the pan is orange. The car has only 35000 miles on it the interior is pretty much still intact the car has been stored for 30 years So I question that anything dramatic mechanically has been done to this car

[William C.]

Re: 1964 300hp 327 engine paint scheme

Pan was on the engine when it was painted, should have a preponderence of "chevrolet orange" paint on it. Black is a service replacement, never saw an original taken off an engine with black under the "Chevy Orange"

[Edward J.]

Re: 1964 300hp 327 engine paint scheme

Jef, document everything with pictures since you feel the car has never been apart, Its the best way if you intend to restore it to NCRS standards. I really enjoy finding things such as inspection marks, the way things were painted, all the crayon marks on the firewall and rear body storage compartment,

Remember that a 48+ year car there where surely things that were touched up over the years, generally the inspection plate was generally black and then was painted orange while painting the engine, it should not of have received much orange apaint during the process. once you start cleaning the parts you may find some orange under it.

The black out on the oil pan I suppose its possible,But would leave that for someone like John H. or some of the other more experienced 63/64 Guys.

[Loren L.]

Re: 1964 300hp 327 engine paint scheme

Ever been in a parking lot that used concrete barriers at the front of the spot? My soon-to-be wife forgot about them and launched my '63 over one, secure in the knowledge that I would never know - not until the next oil & grease that is....
On your car , why not start with where the oil drain is located......

[Alan D.]

Re: 1964 300hp 327 engine paint scheme

Perhaps the car got undercoated? Go slow and document, document, . . .
Know everyone will have questions for you

[Jim D.]

Re: 1964 300hp 327 engine paint scheme

The original oil pan and flywheel cover on my 65 have ONLY orange paint. No traces of any black under the orange. Sounds like you have service replacements to me as well.

[Doug L.]

Re: 1964 300hp 327 engine paint scheme

The '63 - '64 Judging Guide will answer almost all of your "what should it have been" questions.

Exhaust manifolds were on the engine when it was painted and were the same color as the block (orange).
Doug

[Jef S.]

Re: 1964 300hp 327 engine paint scheme

The undercoating has it. When I got the engine out scraped the oil pan with a credit card the orange was under it as it should be. Once I got the mouse nests out from around the clutch and flywheel the orange spot overspray on the original clutch was still clearly visible. What a kick.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1964 300hp 327 engine paint scheme

Jef,

Not my car so mine is just another opinion among many but have you considered holding off on the resto for awhile and having the car judged just as it is? Cars like this are a treasure trove of information and so much can be learned from them. Just seems like it would be good to let other eyes see it while it's in this condition. As the saying goes, "They're only original once."

[Alan D.]

Re: 1964 300hp 327 engine paint scheme

Jef,
Follow the post above Survivor vs Fully Restored?