What color was the engine in 1981 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bill8333 · 02-24-2008, 08:05 AM

Hi Y'all. I'm restoring a 1981 GMC 1/2 L/B 4x4. My question is what color was the engine back in those days. Heck I worked at a Chevy’s dealership in California for 18 years. But for the life of me I can't remember if the engines were black or blue. I guess I'm getting CRS
Thanks Bill

Low&Slow83 · 02-24-2008, 08:27 AM

i know my 83s block is blue... dunno if the 83 and 81 would be the same color though i would assume so.

SBTork · 02-24-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low&Slow83

i know my 83s block is blue... dunno if the 83 and 81 would be the same color though i would assume so.

I too, think that it is the good 'ol GM blue.

**old Rusty C10** · 02-24-2008, 10:21 AM

its blue

**slepysal** · 02-24-2008, 10:22 AM

not trynig to hi jack .... but what color was 73?

bill8333 · 02-24-2008, 10:23 AM

Orange

bill8333 · 02-24-2008, 10:23 AM

Great thanks for the info

Mickey_D · 02-24-2008, 10:34 AM

My '81 the BLOCK is black, but the VALVE COVERS are blue.

I can double check in the morning, but I'm pretty sure I'm right.

[EDIT] Thinking about it a little more, I don't think my block is even painted.

BowTieOgre · 02-24-2008, 10:46 AM

My '80 block is also black and the valve covers are blue.

Low&Slow83 · 02-24-2008, 10:55 AM

i guess that means take your pick lol

BowTieOgre · 02-24-2008, 11:09 AM

Check out the 1981 Chevrolet pickup brochure. Page 10 shows an engine decked out all in blue. Im not saying thats the way it was...im just saying.

Walts_restoration · 02-24-2008, 08:05 PM

i believe, dont quote me, that 1984 they switched to a black motor.

So, your 81 would be blue. Does your motor still have the french locks? becuase if you still have the french locks than you might have the original motor, but if no french locks your motor probally has been swapped or out.

bill8333 · 02-25-2008, 05:53 AM

Well now I know why my engine is Black & Blue. For some reason they sent a few out with a black block and blue valve covers. I bought the truck from the original owner and swears up and down thats the way it came from the factory.

Thanks Y'all

Malo83 · 02-25-2008, 10:43 AM

My 83 Silverado is all black.

ghettocruiser · 02-25-2008, 11:21 PM

My '82 had an all original, all black, all 305. The valve covers were blue though.

77gmcjoe · 02-27-2008, 12:12 AM

We had a couple of GMC duallies, an '82 and an '84, both bought new. The '82 with a 350 was blue, the '84 with a 454 was black. I remember reading in magazines at the time when they changed colors, but I'm not exactly sure what year it was. I can't say that I've ever seen a factory two-tone engine.

02-24-2008, 08:05 AM	#1
bill8333 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 89	What color was the engine in 1981 Hi Y'all. I'm restoring a 1981 GMC 1/2 L/B 4x4. My question is what color was the engine back in those days. Heck I worked at a Chevy’s dealership in California for 18 years. But for the life of me I can't remember if the engines were black or blue. I guess I'm getting CRS Thanks Bill __________________ 1972 K-10 L/B 4x4 Matching #'s 350 4 speed from the factory. P/S P/B 1981 GMC 1/2 L/B 4x4 one owner truck. 4" lift 2004 Dodge Cummins Diesel 4x4 Q/C S/B 1986 Dodge D150 L/B 2WD

02-24-2008, 08:27 AM	#2
Low&Slow83 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 109	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 i know my 83s block is blue... dunno if the 83 and 81 would be the same color though i would assume so. __________________ 1983 Chevrolet C10 - 1st car/ Daily Driver / Project 1995 Nissan 240SX - SOLD

02-24-2008, 10:21 AM	#4
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 its blue __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

02-24-2008, 10:22 AM	#5
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 not trynig to hi jack .... but what color was 73? __________________ 1960 Apache long bed fleet L6 250 Clifford intake 2 bbl carb. Langdon cast headers with dual exhaust and bellflower tips. T-5 5 speed, power steering and power disc brakes. "Over, Around or through it... "

02-24-2008, 10:23 AM	#6
bill8333 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 89	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 Orange __________________ 1972 K-10 L/B 4x4 Matching #'s 350 4 speed from the factory. P/S P/B 1981 GMC 1/2 L/B 4x4 one owner truck. 4" lift 2004 Dodge Cummins Diesel 4x4 Q/C S/B 1986 Dodge D150 L/B 2WD

02-24-2008, 10:34 AM	#8
Mickey_D Dirteh Kitteh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mormon country Posts: 2,484	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 My '81 the BLOCK is black, but the VALVE COVERS are blue. I can double check in the morning, but I'm pretty sure I'm right. [EDIT] Thinking about it a little more, I don't think my block is even painted. __________________ Darrin 1955 Willys CJ-5 all original and the oldest CJ-5 on the road. 2001 Dodge Neon (wife's car) 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Edition SOLD 1981 K15 Custom Deluxe 4X4, rusty but trusty wood hauler. SOLD 1993 S-10 4X4 Tahoe SOLD Sign up with the Contact List RIP ESLL Last edited by Mickey_D; 02-24-2008 at 10:35 AM.

02-24-2008, 10:46 AM	#9
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 My '80 block is also black and the valve covers are blue. __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

02-24-2008, 10:55 AM	#10
Low&Slow83 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 109	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 i guess that means take your pick lol __________________ 1983 Chevrolet C10 - 1st car/ Daily Driver / Project 1995 Nissan 240SX - SOLD

02-24-2008, 11:09 AM	#11
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 Check out the 1981 Chevrolet pickup brochure. Page 10 shows an engine decked out all in blue. Im not saying thats the way it was...im just saying. __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads Last edited by BowTieOgre; 02-24-2008 at 11:10 AM.

02-24-2008, 08:05 PM	#12
Walts_restoration Real Projects never die Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lawrence, kansas Posts: 1,508	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 i believe, dont quote me, that 1984 they switched to a black motor. So, your 81 would be blue. Does your motor still have the french locks? becuase if you still have the french locks than you might have the original motor, but if no french locks your motor probally has been swapped or out. __________________ Ill put it this way, ive got a few lawn ornaments My name tag says Ryan KansasTwister On other forums

02-25-2008, 05:53 AM	#13
bill8333 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 89	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 Well now I know why my engine is Black & Blue. For some reason they sent a few out with a black block and blue valve covers. I bought the truck from the original owner and swears up and down thats the way it came from the factory. Thanks Y'all __________________ 1972 K-10 L/B 4x4 Matching #'s 350 4 speed from the factory. P/S P/B 1981 GMC 1/2 L/B 4x4 one owner truck. 4" lift 2004 Dodge Cummins Diesel 4x4 Q/C S/B 1986 Dodge D150 L/B 2WD

02-25-2008, 10:43 AM	#14
Malo83 Cruzzzn' Vet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Porterville,Ca. Posts: 1,918	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 My 83 Silverado is all black.

02-25-2008, 11:21 PM	#15
ghettocruiser Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: cameron, tx Posts: 35	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 My '82 had an all original, all black, all 305. The valve covers were blue though. __________________ Carson 1995 Sonoma--LT1/T56, full suspension mods, curvy road style <---Hasn't moved in years 1967 Camaro--undergoing restification <-- 1975 Blazer--thats what I'm here for 1978/84 C30 Crew Cab--Going to try for a spare parts build using mostly Suburban parts...

02-27-2008, 12:12 AM	#16
77gmcjoe What do we get for $10? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Beardstown, Illinois Posts: 340	Re: What color was the engine in 1981 We had a couple of GMC duallies, an '82 and an '84, both bought new. The '82 with a 350 was blue, the '84 with a 454 was black. I remember reading in magazines at the time when they changed colors, but I'm not exactly sure what year it was. I can't say that I've ever seen a factory two-tone engine. __________________ 1977 GMC K25 400/400/205 1989 Chevy Suburban R1500 350/700R4 (work beater) 1994 Chevy K3500 dually 454/4L80 1996 Corvette LT4 350/ZF 6 speed 2000 Bonneville SSEI Supercharged 3.8 Liter V6 1966 Chevelle 2 door sedan (Needs major repair )

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