engine color - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**MikeB** · 01-11-2015, 07:38 PM

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.

Bigstevex4 · 01-11-2015, 07:51 PM

it would be orange if mine

Jake Wade · 01-11-2015, 08:19 PM

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.

**old Rusty C10** · 01-11-2015, 08:33 PM

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

83swb · 01-11-2015, 09:49 PM

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.

Axle · 01-11-2015, 10:37 PM

I've always been partial to chevy orange.

Alex.

Just call me Sean · 01-11-2015, 10:52 PM

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

**MikeB** · 01-12-2015, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 83swb

... I love the look of factory blue with a silver/raw aluminum intake and accessories.

Guess I need to see some pictures.

**MikeB** · 01-12-2015, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake Wade

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.

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.

1970pelle · 01-12-2015, 01:27 AM

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

Jake Wade · 01-12-2015, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB

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.

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.

Bigstevex4 · 01-12-2015, 11:56 AM

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

**MikeB** · 01-12-2015, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake Wade

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

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?

Jake Wade · 01-12-2015, 07:37 PM

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.

vidman · 01-12-2015, 09:20 PM

I like my GM Blue

**rs74** · 01-12-2015, 11:44 PM

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.

95 S_Trucker · 01-13-2015, 11:03 AM

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.

MountainGoat1966 · 01-13-2015, 02:25 PM

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 ............

frankenglide · 01-13-2015, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1970pelle

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

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.

cadillac_al · 01-13-2015, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

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

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

**MikeB** · 01-13-2015, 06:09 PM

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.

01-11-2015, 07:38 PM	#1
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,484	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. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! Last edited by MikeB; 01-11-2015 at 08:07 PM.

01-11-2015, 07:51 PM	#2
Bigstevex4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Spearfish South Dakota Posts: 407	Re: engine color it would be orange if mine

01-11-2015, 08:19 PM	#3
Jake Wade Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 711	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.

01-11-2015, 08:33 PM	#4
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,287	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 __________________ 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!!

01-11-2015, 09:49 PM	#5
83swb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: CT Posts: 133	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.

01-11-2015, 10:37 PM	#6
Axle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SW Ontario Posts: 1,204	Re: engine color I've always been partial to chevy orange. Alex.

01-12-2015, 01:27 AM	#10
1970pelle Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: N.E. Florida Posts: 500	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

01-12-2015, 11:56 AM	#12
Bigstevex4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Spearfish South Dakota Posts: 407	Re: engine color Had an 88 gmc with a 5.7 oil fillter blew off got rod bearings pulled built it painted it Oarnge.

01-12-2015, 07:37 PM	#14
Jake Wade Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 711	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.

01-12-2015, 09:20 PM	#15
vidman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Fitchburg,Mass Posts: 737	Re: engine color I like my GM Blue Attached Images __________________ 62 Willys 4wd Pickup : 72 C-10 swb 504 stroker 09 Taco 3" lift 33" tires: 90 K-5 blazer (plow truck): RIP Ross Little brother

01-12-2015, 11:44 PM	#16
rs74 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,957	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. Attached Images __________________ Roy 85 Short Bed Silverado- Work in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=564818 1987 R10 shortie

01-13-2015, 11:03 AM	#17
95 S_Trucker Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: . Posts: 2,185	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.

01-13-2015, 02:25 PM	#18
MountainGoat1966 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: northern arizona Posts: 259	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 ............ __________________ "Off the grid and on the seven day weekend plan" "One person cannot know everything, but between all of us, there isn't much we don't know."

01-13-2015, 06:09 PM	#21
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,484	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. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! Last edited by MikeB; 01-13-2015 at 06:37 PM.



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