Transmission Color?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1987_3/4ton_chevy · 03-25-2009, 05:49 PM

I have a re-built 350 going into a 1971 4x4 chevy. I have working on the trany now (cleaning the heck out of it) and wondering what color you guys think would look the best. The engine orange with some chrome and little bit of blue highlights.. the truck is gonna be copper Orange... Any ideas?

JHART · 03-25-2009, 06:02 PM

use this color killer used on this build ..looks really clean!!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=killers

Longhorn Man · 03-25-2009, 06:03 PM

I'd leave it in its raw finish so the alluminum can disipate heat better. Thats why they weren't painted in the first place.

1987_3/4ton_chevy · 03-25-2009, 08:05 PM

so i should leave it not painted or does it really matter? does it get that hot if it is painted?

tcb-1 · 03-25-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

I'd leave it in its raw finish so the alluminum can disipate heat better. Thats why they weren't painted in the first place.

yep, second what Andy said. I leave all of my Triumph motorcycle heads and gear boxes unpainted and natural. those internals have to breathe somehow.....

scott's69 · 03-25-2009, 08:12 PM

Paint it. Trucks werent made to look cool back then thats why they didnt get paint it.

*Shane* · 03-25-2009, 08:47 PM

As Andy has already stated, they were NOT painted to help with heat dissipation.

GM had a service bulletin out at one time that stated this concerning the TH350 & TH400.

It had nothing to do with being cool or not being cool.

1987_3/4ton_chevy · 03-25-2009, 08:51 PM

ok.. now i gotta figure out what is lol.. I got both sides

**El Jay** · 03-25-2009, 09:01 PM

It's about being cool, not "kool", or "kewl."
Why paint it and wreck it?

1956cameo · 03-25-2009, 09:45 PM

I think its pretty easy to figure out. You got way more people saying don't paint versus saying paint. I also would say not to paint if this vehicle is to be driven. It will run hotter and thus cause more wear on your mechanicals. Yes show trucks have transmissions painted, alot of them have chromed calipers too. You know why BECAUSE THEY AEREN'T DRIVEN!

Ultimately it is your decision, and if you paint it the world wont come to an end. No one will fault you for your decision. Good luck with your build.

big_al_71 · 03-25-2009, 09:53 PM

I painted mine...I dont drive my truck but maybe once or twice a week but I also installed a 14 inch tranny cooler.....

**special-K** · 03-25-2009, 09:56 PM

It doesn`t matter.If paint is enough to make your trans too hot you have problems.Jet paints theirs black and the best shop in my area paints theirs blue.Their transmissions don`t run too hot.
I leave mine raw,though.It doesn`t chip,peel,or otherwise get messed up and it looks right.It you want purdy then polish it.

*Shane* · 03-25-2009, 10:51 PM

It's not that it makes it "run hot" and it's suddenly in danger of suddenly not working because of over-heating. It's the long-term effects of heat cycling on the internals that shortens the overall life of the transmission.

Call me a pessimist, but why did the folks that built them new not paint them while the folks that rebuild them do paint them? Here's where my pessimism comes in ... how does the re-builder make his money?

Longhorn Man · 03-25-2009, 11:55 PM

I know our local HD tranny rebuilder paints theres blue, and it is for ID reasons. However, they will even say that it isn't a good idea.
And no, it isn't something that's gonna push it over the edge, but I don't even see the point in it. The pan and dust shield is all you can see anyways, so personally, I don't see any reason in it at all.

spinning wheels · 03-26-2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1987_3/4ton_chevy

I have a re-built 350 going into a 1971 4x4 chevy. I have working on the trany now (cleaning the heck out of it) and wondering what color you guys think would look the best. The engine orange with some chrome and little bit of blue highlights.. the truck is gonna be copper Orange... Any ideas?

Is this a show truck? Chrome it

beautimus · 03-26-2009, 12:41 AM

in principal i can agree that its better not to paint, because it HELPS disapate heat. BUT, the biggest reason that they come without paint is simply ALUMINUM doesn't rust, so why add cost to the car by painting the transmission. Cast iron engine blocks do rust, very quickly. so to keep from getting your brand new car with noticeable rust in the engine bay, they paint them. I would really like to see someone put a trans temp gauge on an automatic equipped car and run it for a while, before and after putting a coat of paint on the transmission. I am thinking the difference would be negligable.
If you look at where the heat from the transmission may actually be going,
It looks to me like that the majority of the heat is going to the radiator tranny cooler, with a boost from the airflow going across the transmission pan. The main body of the transmission appears to radiate a lot of heat but, the biggest majority of it seems to be retained between the transmission case and the transmission tunnel/foolr pan of the vehicle. In other words, i am wondering if we really know what we think we do about transmission temps or is this a case of we know what we have always been told or led to believe. i ain't an expert but i do like to question this stuff.

spinning wheels · 03-26-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beautimus

in principal i can agree that its better not to paint, because it HELPS disapate heat. BUT, the biggest reason that they come without paint is simply ALUMINUM doesn't rust, so why add cost to the car by painting the transmission. Cast iron engine blocks do rust, very quickly. so to keep from getting your brand new car with noticeable rust in the engine bay, they paint them. I would really like to see someone put a trans temp gauge on an automatic equipped car and run it for a while, before and after putting a coat of paint on the transmission. I am thinking the difference would be negligable.
If you look at where the heat from the transmission may actually be going,
It looks to me like that the majority of the heat is going to the radiator tranny cooler, with a boost from the airflow going across the transmission pan. The main body of the transmission appears to radiate a lot of heat but, the biggest majority of it seems to be retained between the transmission case and the transmission tunnel/foolr pan of the vehicle. In other words, i am wondering if we really know what we think we do about transmission temps or is this a case of we know what we have always been told or led to believe. i ain't an expert but i do like to question this stuff.

By not painting the trans. GM, F*#^ & Mopar, and all the rest, save money by not having to buy more paint, maintain spraying booths, taking up plant space, (space=money), emission tests from the spraying booths and also labor cost.
They also figure, how many new car owners will ever see their trans.
Most likely it's a mechanic that will be pulling the trans, and then its to replace it or repair it. In other words, its not cost effective. Its better to save that money in order to buy some more corp jets.

*Shane* · 03-26-2009, 10:05 AM

I politely disagree and here's why. The housings of automatic transmission are made from aluminum which is much more expensive to process than cast iron. It was chosen for it's heat dissipation properties for the same reason folks choose aluminum radiators over brass ones. Aluminum transfers heat more efficiently than other metals.

The debate about not painting them for money saving reasons doesn't quite add up either because it would still be less expensive for the OEM's to make the housings from cast iron AND paint them versus make them from expensive aluminum.

JHART · 03-26-2009, 10:36 AM

If its that big of a deal just add an aftermarket cooler for better cooling. i have seen thousands of trannys painted.

I say stop listening to everyone else and just do what you want to do.

Bottom line its your truck and your build. You do what you think is best.

In the mean time i say paint it ..LOL!

P.S. Allot of aftermarket tranny builders that build serious tranny's for handling HP paint theirs so why shouldnt you?

spinning wheels · 03-26-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHART

If its that big of a deal just add an aftermarket cooler for better cooling. i have seen thousands of trannys painted.

I say stop listening to everyone else and just do what you want to do.

Bottom line its your truck and your build. You do what you think is best.

In the mean time i say paint it ..LOL!

P.S. Allot of aftermarket tranny builders that build serious tranny's for handling HP paint theirs so why shouldnt you?

Zakley, that's why I say chrome it

**leddzepp** · 03-26-2009, 12:58 PM

Chroming it would negate the heat dissipation capability of the aluminum far more than painting it.

spinning wheels · 03-26-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Chroming it would negate the heat dissipation capability of the aluminum far more than painting it.

But think how cool it would look

*Shane* · 03-26-2009, 02:11 PM

This is a good example of why folks avoid asking legitimate questions on the forum anymore.

old Chevy guy · 03-26-2009, 02:39 PM

I worked as an installer in a trans shop for a few years and I know they are not supposed to be painted because of the heat thing. I agree with special K ,polish it,We did a few that were going in show cars and they looked awsome.It takes a little while to do though.

JHART · 03-26-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane

This is a good example of why folks avoid asking legitimate questions on the forum anymore.

What do you mean? Think he just wanted our opinion on the matter. Hope we helped a lil.

polished would look nice too.

03-25-2009, 05:49 PM	#1
1987_3/4ton_chevy Cowboy Up Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mason City, Iowa Posts: 203	Transmission Color?? I have a re-built 350 going into a 1971 4x4 chevy. I have working on the trany now (cleaning the heck out of it) and wondering what color you guys think would look the best. The engine orange with some chrome and little bit of blue highlights.. the truck is gonna be copper Orange... Any ideas? __________________ 1971 chevy k10 Under the Knife Chris Cary

03-25-2009, 06:02 PM	#2
JHART 1972 Shorty Owner Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Stationed in Cali , born and raised in PHX Arizona. Posts: 796	Re: Transmission Color?? use this color killer used on this build ..looks really clean!! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=killers __________________ 1972 Chevy Shorty C-10- Project In Work http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ATT1721941.jpg- New Project

03-25-2009, 06:03 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Transmission Color?? I'd leave it in its raw finish so the alluminum can disipate heat better. Thats why they weren't painted in the first place.

03-25-2009, 08:05 PM	#4
1987_3/4ton_chevy Cowboy Up Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mason City, Iowa Posts: 203	Re: Transmission Color?? so i should leave it not painted or does it really matter? does it get that hot if it is painted? __________________ 1971 chevy k10 Under the Knife Chris Cary

03-25-2009, 08:12 PM	#6
scott's69 WORTHLESS CRUISERS Join Date: May 2002 Location: Lancaster, SC Posts: 237	Re: Transmission Color?? Paint it. Trucks werent made to look cool back then thats why they didnt get paint it. __________________ Scott Hammond Lancaster, SC 1969 Chevy2005 Chevy Silverado Z71 72 Chevy 1972 SWB 454 If you don't live for something, then you'll die for nothing. www.xclusive-images.com

03-25-2009, 08:47 PM	#7
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Transmission Color?? As Andy has already stated, they were NOT painted to help with heat dissipation. GM had a service bulletin out at one time that stated this concerning the TH350 & TH400. It had nothing to do with being cool or not being cool. Last edited by Shane; 03-25-2009 at 10:54 PM.

03-25-2009, 08:51 PM	#8
1987_3/4ton_chevy Cowboy Up Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mason City, Iowa Posts: 203	Re: Transmission Color?? ok.. now i gotta figure out what is lol.. I got both sides __________________ 1971 chevy k10 Under the Knife Chris Cary

03-25-2009, 09:01 PM	#9
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Transmission Color?? It's about being cool, not "kool", or "kewl." Why paint it and wreck it? __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck

03-25-2009, 09:45 PM	#10
1956cameo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Angleton, TX Posts: 2,219	Re: Transmission Color?? I think its pretty easy to figure out. You got way more people saying don't paint versus saying paint. I also would say not to paint if this vehicle is to be driven. It will run hotter and thus cause more wear on your mechanicals. Yes show trucks have transmissions painted, alot of them have chromed calipers too. You know why BECAUSE THEY AEREN'T DRIVEN! Ultimately it is your decision, and if you paint it the world wont come to an end. No one will fault you for your decision. Good luck with your build.

03-25-2009, 09:53 PM	#11
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: Transmission Color?? I painted mine...I dont drive my truck but maybe once or twice a week but I also installed a 14 inch tranny cooler..... Attached Images __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

03-25-2009, 09:56 PM	#12
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Transmission Color?? It doesn`t matter.If paint is enough to make your trans too hot you have problems.Jet paints theirs black and the best shop in my area paints theirs blue.Their transmissions don`t run too hot. I leave mine raw,though.It doesn`t chip,peel,or otherwise get messed up and it looks right.It you want purdy then polish it. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-25-2009, 10:51 PM	#13
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Transmission Color?? It's not that it makes it "run hot" and it's suddenly in danger of suddenly not working because of over-heating. It's the long-term effects of heat cycling on the internals that shortens the overall life of the transmission. Call me a pessimist, but why did the folks that built them new not paint them while the folks that rebuild them do paint them? Here's where my pessimism comes in ... how does the re-builder make his money? Last edited by Shane; 03-25-2009 at 10:53 PM.

03-25-2009, 11:55 PM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Transmission Color?? I know our local HD tranny rebuilder paints theres blue, and it is for ID reasons. However, they will even say that it isn't a good idea. And no, it isn't something that's gonna push it over the edge, but I don't even see the point in it. The pan and dust shield is all you can see anyways, so personally, I don't see any reason in it at all.

03-26-2009, 12:41 AM	#16
beautimus Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: woodstock, alabama, usa Posts: 938	Re: Transmission Color?? in principal i can agree that its better not to paint, because it HELPS disapate heat. BUT, the biggest reason that they come without paint is simply ALUMINUM doesn't rust, so why add cost to the car by painting the transmission. Cast iron engine blocks do rust, very quickly. so to keep from getting your brand new car with noticeable rust in the engine bay, they paint them. I would really like to see someone put a trans temp gauge on an automatic equipped car and run it for a while, before and after putting a coat of paint on the transmission. I am thinking the difference would be negligable. If you look at where the heat from the transmission may actually be going, It looks to me like that the majority of the heat is going to the radiator tranny cooler, with a boost from the airflow going across the transmission pan. The main body of the transmission appears to radiate a lot of heat but, the biggest majority of it seems to be retained between the transmission case and the transmission tunnel/foolr pan of the vehicle. In other words, i am wondering if we really know what we think we do about transmission temps or is this a case of we know what we have always been told or led to believe. i ain't an expert but i do like to question this stuff. __________________ i survived cancer and kidney stones, but my kids are killing me.

03-26-2009, 10:05 AM	#18
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Transmission Color?? I politely disagree and here's why. The housings of automatic transmission are made from aluminum which is much more expensive to process than cast iron. It was chosen for it's heat dissipation properties for the same reason folks choose aluminum radiators over brass ones. Aluminum transfers heat more efficiently than other metals. The debate about not painting them for money saving reasons doesn't quite add up either because it would still be less expensive for the OEM's to make the housings from cast iron AND paint them versus make them from expensive aluminum. Last edited by Shane; 03-26-2009 at 10:07 AM.



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03-26-2009, 10:36 AM	#19
JHART 1972 Shorty Owner Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Stationed in Cali , born and raised in PHX Arizona. Posts: 796	Re: Transmission Color?? If its that big of a deal just add an aftermarket cooler for better cooling. i have seen thousands of trannys painted. I say stop listening to everyone else and just do what you want to do. Bottom line its your truck and your build. You do what you think is best. In the mean time i say paint it ..LOL! P.S. Allot of aftermarket tranny builders that build serious tranny's for handling HP paint theirs so why shouldnt you? __________________ 1972 Chevy Shorty C-10- Project In Work http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...ATT1721941.jpg- New Project Last edited by JHART; 03-26-2009 at 10:36 AM.

03-26-2009, 12:58 PM	#21
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,031	Re: Transmission Color?? Chroming it would negate the heat dissipation capability of the aluminum far more than painting it.

03-26-2009, 02:11 PM	#23
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Transmission Color?? This is a good example of why folks avoid asking legitimate questions on the forum anymore.

03-26-2009, 02:39 PM	#24
old Chevy guy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Foster Rhode Island Posts: 1,176	Re: Transmission Color?? I worked as an installer in a trans shop for a few years and I know they are not supposed to be painted because of the heat thing. I agree with special K ,polish it,We did a few that were going in show cars and they looked awsome.It takes a little while to do though.

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