BB Corvette Engine Paint

[Michael H.]

Re: BB Corvette Engine Paint

Very nice job, Mark.
Bob

I agree. Probably the most accurate engine paint restoration I've seen.

[Rich C.]

Re: BB Corvette Engine Paint

Did this engine use spark plug shields, like later Big Blocks?

'73 LS-4 454, owned 22 years!

[Erik S.]

Re: BB Corvette Engine Paint

maybe a blond queston, but would the same principles apply when painting a 68 L71 engine (minus the valve covers)?

[Mark D.]

Re: BB Corvette Engine Paint

Rich,

No plug shields on this application.

Erik,

There was a time I would have quickly answered this question just like I had a clue what I was talking about. Now...I'm not sure. I would also like to know what kind of form fitting mask was used starting in 1968? How was it applied prior to painting, how did it fit and what the result typically was? Beyond that, I'd love to know what kind of convoluted system was used to paint L89/L88 from 1967 through 1969? Was there full coverage of the exhaust manifolds or did the painter try to avoid the heads and as a result, perhaps only the bottom of the exhaust manifolds had coverage with the heads receiving only unintentional paint/overspray?

I've heard a lot of speculation over the years. I do know a fellow that has the GM hard copy of the directive on engine painting from that era and can't wait to see it...

Mark

[Floyd B.]

Re: BB Corvette Engine Paint

WARNING: Ignorant Newbie Response

Was there full coverage of the exhaust manifolds or did the painter try to avoid the heads and as a result, perhaps only the bottom of the exhaust manifolds had coverage with the heads receiving only unintentional paint/overspray?

I've heard a lot of speculation over the years. I do know a fellow that has the GM hard copy of the directive on engine painting from that era and can't wait to see it...

Mark

Just my opinion based on working in assembly plants but I generally bias my conclusions on the "probable intent" of the manufacturing process. Admittedly, I have not seen many low mileage examples and I have probably never seen an original BB car with miles so low that the paint wasn't cooked off the exhaust manifolds. That being said, I still can't come to the conclusion that the paint process intended to get paint on the exhaust manifolds. For that reason and the limited original examples I have seen, a heavy coat of paint on the exhaust manifolds doesn't make sense to me. I would imagine the painter covering the engine the best he could while avoiding getting paint on unmasked areas that weren't intended to have paint - e.g. the transmission mating surface on the rear of the bell housing and the exhaust manifolds. That would explain why the paint gets pretty thin towards the back of the bell housing (on both big and small blocks) and the area under the exhaust manifolds on big blocks.

Just my 2 cents worth.

-Floyd-

[Zachary K.]

Re: BB Corvette Engine Paint

I'm impressed with your paint work. Although can anyone comment more on the intake overspray? I searched and found a post a few months back (can't find it now unfortunately to compare) but what i remember from those pictures that were posted and commented on that there was more of a spray that ran up to and slightly onto some of the intake bolts not the sharp crisp lines that you show here. The posters then spoke of a drape or bag that dropped over the top of the intake allowing a slight overspray look. Also not mentioned then or now, - was there ever any overspray seen on the throttle return spring bracket or ignition shielding bracket lower portions where they contacted the manifold. I'm working on and getting ready to spray a 66 425hp. Thanks for any help

[Zachary K.]

Re: BB Corvette Engine Paint

Ok, so after hours of searching I finally came across the thread of posts and picture wich I had found a few months back which was posted on this subject. The poster claims that this picture they posted is and untouched engine. Note the oversprayed look and not a crisp line, also throttle return spring bracket shows paint along with some of the manifold bolts. Which is considered more correct? Or both correct?