Engine Paint

[geordie]

I'm getting close to re-painting my block. What make of engine spray paint do you guys prefer? I've read that the Eastwood engine paint is very good, a little thicker than the others, and a little more expensive. Any opinions would be welcome. Has anyone used an engine spray paint clear on top of the color? Does this make for a better finish?

 

[mustangdave]

I like the Dupli-color engine enamel. It holds up really well. I prefer to use the lighter Ford blue even though it is incorrect for my year; It brightens everything up and makes it easy to spot any leaks.

 

[69Mach351]

I like the Dupli-color engine enamel. It holds up really well. I prefer to use the lighter Ford blue even though it is incorrect for my year; It brightens everything up and makes it easy to spot any leaks.

 

[84convertablegt]

i also recommend dupli color, but i like the dark 66 correct ford blue

 

[geordie]

Can anyone post pictures of blocks painted in both the light and dark blue. I like the idea of the dark blue but would like to get some idea of what it's going to look like.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

I personally prefer Plasti-Kote. I used the "Old Ford Blue" which is the lighter shade. Dupli Color is good, but I dont care for the funky adjustable nozzles.

Old Ford Blue:
View attachment 516445

 

[TIGGER]

I used Por15 when I rebuilt my engine. It was not cheap either but well worth the extra money.

 

[84convertablegt]

Here is what i considered the dark blue... but it is the Old Ford Blue by duplicolor. correct for 1966 + motors

 

[geordie]

Thanks for the photo's. Still think I prefer the dark blue.

Has anyone used either VHT or Eastwood's engine paint.

 

[sdgrant]

I see from your garage profile that you have a '65 coupe. Your block should be black with gold valve covers & air cleaner (black snorkel) if you want to stay correct for your year.

If you want to go blue, the Old Ford Blue was only used in a Mustang for the valve covers and air cleaner (black snorkel) on a 260 V8 in the '64.5 models. The darker blue used on '66 and up models is called Ford Corporate Blue.

 

[geordie]

My engine is not the original, it's a 302 from 1974. It will have an Edelbrock Air Gap manifold, Canton oil pan, Edelbrock fuel and water pump and Ford Motorsport valve covers and air cleaner. So any thoughts of originality are out of the window.

I'ts dark blue me thinks.

 

[Pakrat]

Just as a side note for you, when dressed in black and gold, it is hard for anyone to tell you have a 302 now instead of the original V8 as the proportions of a correct 289 aren't very different. In fact the correct engine painted blue would look more out of place than the incorrect engine painted black. I'm not saying you shouldn't paint it blue, just letting you know that even though it's a 74' 302 does not mean you don't have choices still.

 

[geordie]

My engine is now stripped to the point where I can start preping for paint. The block itself is reasonably clean already. My plan is to use scotchbright pads and degreaser (Gunk or similar) to thoroughly clean the remainder of the oil and dirt and roughen the surface. I will also use toothbrushes and whatever else I can find to get into the intricate parts. Then I will mask the block. I will then go over the whole block with Simple Green or similar before finally giving it a clean with one of those pre-paint degreasing spray cans.

There is no visible rust or bare metal but the block is currently painted in two shades of blue so when it is clean I will spray it with some high temperature engine paint primer before finally applying the Ford dark blue Dupli-Color engine paint. I will use thin coats and build up the color.

Have I missed any steps?

 

[1320stang]

I ground off casting flash from my 302 block. The guy who had my 289 race block before me sanded off the rough sand texture. Looks pretty sweet painted. I'm more of a unsee details sort of guy than a flashy type though.

 

[Skymarshal]

Here is my '69 block painted with Duplicolor "Ford Dark Blue", which is actually Ford Corporate Blue. I like how it looks, especially with the non-correct Accel spark plug wires and non-correct valve covers.

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

My engine is now stripped to the point where I can start preping for paint. The block itself is reasonably clean already. My plan is to use scotchbright pads and degreaser (Gunk or similar) to thoroughly clean the remainder of the oil and dirt and roughen the surface. I will also use toothbrushes and whatever else I can find to get into the intricate parts. Then I will mask the block. I will then go over the whole block with Simple Green or similar before finally giving it a clean with one of those pre-paint degreasing spray cans.

There is no visible rust or bare metal but the block is currently painted in two shades of blue so when it is clean I will spray it with some high temperature engine paint primer before finally applying the Ford dark blue Dupli-Color engine paint. I will use thin coats and build up the color.

Have I missed any steps?

I usually use lacquer thinner or wax and grease remover to clean the surfaces because they are not oil based. I don't know about degreaser though.

 

[geordie]

I was going to use a prodct such as Eastwoods PRE painting prep for final cleaning before paint. PRE Painting Prep removes dirt, wax, polish, grease, silicone, buffing compound, even road tar - ensuring a clean surface.

 

[1320stang]

My other 302 is painted black with automotive paint, BC/CC and it looks GREAT!!! about like the smoothed 289 block.

 

[mustangdave]

Eastwood sells a block off kit for exhaust ports and such that would save you alot of time masking; then again, time is cheaper sometimes.

 

[tweet66]

1320stang, did you have to add any extra hardener to the BC/CC paints for the increased temp of the engine? I was going to paint my block body color and figured I could use the same paint but I'm worried about the increased temp causing flaking.