Engine color

[Scott>72-GMC]

I'm sure there has to be lots of threads on this subject but I thought gm motors were all orange until late 70s. But have seen on th FB page gmc motors were blue? Is this true? I have 72 gmc what color is correct. 350 by the way. Thanks
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[GASoline71]

The 350 in my 1972 GMC was orange from the factory.

Edit: Oops... forgot picture. Here's what it looked like the day I brought it home... original engine... never been pulled.



Gary

[sir_talk_alot]

Do what color you want. Even though i love chevy, hugger orange is annoying to look at in the bay
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[cheyenne shortstep]

Should be orange, if you want a "correct" look in a rattle can use Dupli-Color Engine Enamel part# DE 1620.

Blue was in the later years.

[GASoline71]

Hugger Orange is not an engine color...

There is actually an Orange, and a Red-Orange.

Gary

[GASoline71]

I think the switch was somewhere in the late 70's (1977?). I had a 1979 GMC K2500 with a "Corporate Blue" engine.

Gary

[TBONE1964]

http://www.cs.siena.edu/~lederman/tr...VCCAcolor.html

This link has a lot of good information. I was going to say somewhere around 1978 when they changed as Gary pointed out to corporate blue. The link only shows up to 1966 but it is still good information.

Your engine should be orange if it is in a 67 - 72 pick up and you are concerned about it being correct.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by TBONE1964

http://www.cs.siena.edu/~lederman/tr...VCCAcolor.html

This link has a lot of good information. I was going to say somewhere around 1978 when they changed as Gary pointed out to corporate blue.

This list of engine colors is not factual. There will always be errors in a list covering so many years and models.Since very few people took quality color photos of engines when trucks were brand new, It will be very difficult to get the accurate color. Engine paint deteriorates very rapidly when left to the elements and the effects of constant hot cold cylces. What is left on an engine today is a bleached out, toned down, stained out version , not to mention areas where paint is missing. As for colors, IMO of noting many engines over the years, I've come to the conclusion 67-72 engines were painted orangish-red. 73 -76 engines were orange. 77 -80+ engines blue.

[Scott>72-GMC]

I didn't think it would make sence for them to be painting gmc different color. My uncle also brought up gmcs were blue and I didn't believe it then. My truck is blue and for the engine to be blue is almost to much for me orange it shall be
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[Shyguy]

The 6 cylinder engine in my '67 frame is gray/blue and appears to be original. The one in my '92 came painted black from the factory.

When we painted the '74 454 that is now in my '67 we went with black for two reasons, one I live on dusty country roads and black does not show leaks as bad.

[stsalvage]

well at night with a small flash light the orange and black kinda help you know where the dip sticks are.and to me orange and block just look better any chevy truck from the 50's to 2013 it just makes you go back to that time and one last this even tho most of us will say we will never sale are trucks.but at 85 years old and DMV takes your LIC ya it will be sold to handed down.Me i rather give some one something that is date corrected instead of them going on a treasure hunt on trying to find parts.

Not taying to steel the tread But I know most of you remember the 50'swhen guys to chevy motors out and put Caddy's in and big block Buick's engines.Back 10 years ago if i found a miss match engine combo in a car or a truck it was parted or Junked.

What i'm saying is Try to keep these trucks as close to the interchange book as possible.Cus after your done with it and some one else gets your truck they will think its too hard to work on it.And the Mods are no longer made and looking them up the information is not avelible or its out of print.

Even tho these are your property and you can do what you may with them.But Just remember the 40's and the 50's what engine combo's they went to.How many of them trucks and car's are still on the Road driving to day mabey a handful.

I like a almost bone stock truck I like the Updates to safety like brakes fuel injected it fine But leave Enough Information behind to know what and how to work on your truck for your kids cus they will be Lost

[Scott>72-GMC]

I know this isn't the original engine but want to have it painted year correct to the truck
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[BigRed76]

They were orange thru '76, then '77-'86 they were blue, and then when they switched to TBI in '87 they were all painted black.

[leftybass209]

Everything I've read has said plasti-kote Chevy orange is really close to the factory orange color. Might be something more accurate in hue but it looks great and my eyes can't tell the difference!
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[Steve Hafner]

. . . .

This is said to be a low mileage, GMC original engine.

. . . and probably is since it still has it's original valve cover decal.

. . . .

[GASoline71]

Look at all the vermin crap on that intake! Wow...

Gary

[factorystock]

IMO, study original photographs from back in the day like this one, a 40 year old original engine will just not look the same as when new.