engine color
 

I'm building a 355 for my 82 C10 and trying to decide what color to paint the heads, block, and oil pan. The intake manifold and valve covers are aluminum.

Factory color for that year (Chevy Blue or GM Blue?)

Chevy orange?

Medium gray?

I'd go with black, but over the years I've found it's hard to troubleshoot fluid leaks with a black block and oil pan.

I know this is a personal preference kind of thing, but I'd appreciate your comments.

Re: engine color
 

it would be orange if mine

Re: engine color
 

I know you said no black. I do all mine Black and I like the Duplicolor brand.

If its a late style engine with 1 pc oil seal, centerbolt valve covers, use a nice, uniform bead of RTV at the end seals of the intake, take your time sealing the timing cover, you wont have any leaks to worry about.

Re: engine color
 

If youre going for a somewhat stock look it should be GM blue.. if not any color you would like is good

Re: engine color
 

Black is so popular because it's low maintenance, there's no other color that stays presentable as long. The motor in my truck is black, but I love the look of factory blue with a silver/raw aluminum intake and accessories.

Re: engine color
 

I've always been partial to chevy orange.

Alex.

Re: engine color
 

I always do my Chevy engines orange, even if they're not supposed to be.

Re: engine color
 

Guess I need to see some pictures.

Re: engine color
 

Very good point. It does have a one-piece seal, and I plan to use a FelPro one-piece neoprene pan gasket.

BTW, here are the engine specs:

1997 L31 block bored .030", decked to 9.005"
Eagle balanced rotating assembly with their basic crank, rods, and Speed Pro hypereutectic pistons.
Compression ratio should be around 9.6:1
New GMPP Vortec heads
GMPP HT383/RamJet 350 roller cam and latest LS2/LS7 lifters
Weiand 8121 low-rise, dual-plane intake manifold
Holley 0-80457SA 600 CFM aluminum carb
Ignition and exhaust to be determined

Trans is a rebuilt TH350 with TransGo 350-1 shift kit and stock converter. Axle is 2.73.

I'm shooting for a very torquey driver with reasonable pull in first gear, and tolerable revs at 70 mph.

Re: engine color
 

I bought a brand new C1500 in 1983 and the 350 in it was Black. The only brand new truck I have ever bought myself. Owned it 7 years, had 18k on it when I sold had to sell it. It spent more time in the garage looking pretty. All I did was save it for someone else.


Ken

Re: engine color
 

Excellent planning for your combo/usage! That engine should serve you well.

I would use a Chevrolet Performance parts .028 head gasket for a .045 quench distance with those pistons and deck height.

Re: engine color
 

Had an 88 gmc with a 5.7 oil fillter blew off got rod bearings pulled built it painted it Oarnge.

Re: engine color
 

Wow, you are right on the money there with the quench height! Always good to hear from another engine geek. :)

Yes, I plan to use those gaskets -- P/N 10105117. Used them on my last engine, a 327 with pistons .020" down the hole.

This my first use of Vortec heads. What do you suggest for intake bolts and gaskets to use with my Weiand manifold?

Re: engine color
 

I am sold on these:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...make/chevrolet

I have used them many times.

For bolts, I use the ARP's, available in stainless or black oxide.

Pay attention to and follow proper torque sequence and final torque when installing manifold.

If you need the info, let me know.

Re: engine color
 

I like my GM Blue

Re: engine color
 

I am thinking about painting the block of mine the same color as my truck. Not sure if I am going aluminum heads or not yet. I do kind of like this pic minus the black supercharger. I think it would look better with an aluminum intake or natural color supercharger. JMO.

Re: engine color
 

I am also a big fan of the blue. Especially since you have an 82. 82 was the last year for blue engines. It is my personal taste, but it's your truck and you paint it whatever color you choose.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/P2150008.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/P2150007.jpg

Re: engine color
 

I am partial to orange myself, and agree an oil leak is hard to spot on a black engine.

But then again, clean fresh oil is hard to spot on any color unless you see the shiny.

Has anybody painted their engine camo??

That would certainly be different ............

Re: engine color
 

Hey Ken, didn't know you were here. Don't have much to say so don't post much. Stan.
p.s. every Chev. engine I ever rebuilt left the shop in chev. orange. Stan.

Re: engine color
 

I'm with ya, I paint all engines Chevy orange now, except motorcycles. Nothing else POPS like Chevy orange when you open the hood.

Re: engine color
 

Guys, thanks for posting the pics of blue engines. They look kinda cool and would be the right color for 1982. Are those colors GM Corporate Blue or Chevrolet Blue?

edit: Just learned that "GM Corporate Blue" was used from 1976 to 1982. "Chevrolet Blue" is apparently the color of the old Blue Fame six engines.