63 360HP Engine Paint (silver)

[Marco H.]

Hello,
It is my understanding that 340HP and 360HP engines received some silver paint along the heads between the valve covers and the intake. (Over spray on intake and valve covers, including clips for temp sender wire.)
Regarding the 360HP, was the entire F.I. unit installed before the paint process?? (Over spray on plenum and gaskets and only minimal coverage in areas below air and fuel meter?)
Or was only the manifold in place during the paint process (Plenum and gaskets free of over spray.)
As always, any clarification is greatly appreciated.
Marco

[Marco H.]

Re: 63 360HP Engine Paint (silver)

.......anybody??

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 360HP Engine Paint (silver)

Hello,
It is my understanding that 340HP and 360HP engines received some silver paint along the heads between the valve covers and the intake. (Over spray on intake and valve covers, including clips for temp sender wire.)
Regarding the 360HP, was the entire F.I. unit installed before the paint process?? (Over spray on plenum and gaskets and only minimal coverage in areas below air and fuel meter?)
Or was only the manifold in place during the paint process (Plenum and gaskets free of over spray.)
As always, any clarification is greatly appreciated.
Marco

Marco,

When a 63-65 340 HP or FI engine was painted at the Flint engine plant, the complete FI unit was installed. That included the orange and dull aluminum coatings.

The dull aluminum coating was to be sprayed on the cyl head surface between the FI adapter and valve cover. This would cover the otherwise bare cast iron of the cyl head in this area. It would also cover the attaching bolts and temperature sender wire retainers/clips. Overspray would be seen on the FI nozzle holders, valve covers, FI adapter and other misc items. The thermostat housing, bolts, gasket edges and the area around the housing would also be coated with dull aluminum paint. A mask covered most of the bypass hose but often there would be a mist of dull aluminum on the rear of the hose and clamp where it attaches to the nipple on the FI adapter.
This was not a precise paint operation.

Below is a picture of a very low mileage FI engine with the FI and adapter removed. You can see that the area of the cyl head between the valve cover and FI adapter clearly shows the remains of dull aluminum paint.
Note that the areas under where the air meter and fuel meter would be are almost bare of paint.

Some folks still ain't buyin' this but it's not just a theory. It really happened this way.

[Marco H.]

Re: 63 360HP Engine Paint (silver)

Michael,
Thank you for your very thorough and detailed reply. I have this engine detailed as you described and will present it for judging at the next regional.
I'm sure it will trigger some conversation with the judges, since it is "not exactly by the book". Hopefully it will help to encourage some people to update the new judging guide.
Thank you again for your help.
Marco