The 1960 - 1966 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Factory Correct Restoration Thread

[60-66]

Originally Posted by billetproofcustoms

Ok guys, I need thoughts on this, I may have just discovered a 283 from 1966 that can painted Alpine green from the factory.

Upon separating the transmission from the motor I noticed over spray on the back of the block that appears to be original. The top coat is a blue, which I do not believe to be correct at all, but under that is a very obvious Alpine green. My opinion is that this HAS to be original. Look at the photo. This may validate the common theory that the factories that built these trucks pretty much did what the wanted as far as engine colors...

What do you guys think?

Not a very convincing photo, billetproofcustoms, imo . But lets see what we can find out to prove or disprove. First tell us what you know, please, about the engine and if its original to the truck. Has it been rebuilt ? Can you then give us the engine casting number , casting date and engine suffix stamped on the front passenger side of the block. Since its a 1966 , hopefully you have the spid sheet , a protecto plate and the plate on the inside below vent. All of this will have clues to better help you / us define this for you.

[billetproofcustoms]

I will gather all that info later today, I have already researched the casting number and it is indeed a 66 283 engine, but thats as far as I have gone, I will try to get a better shot of that area, specifically that freeze plug, the photo is actually not as convincing as it is in person. there really is quite a bit of what appears to be alpine green in multiple "hidden" places on the engine.

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by billetproofcustoms

I will gather all that info later today, I have already researched the casting number and it is indeed a 66 283 engine, but thats as far as I have gone, I will try to get a better shot of that area, specifically that freeze plug, the photo is actually not as convincing as it is in person. there really is quite a bit of what appears to be alpine green in multiple "hidden" places on the engine.

Blue + Yellow = Green. The yellow in many cases is old engine oil, or a tinge of rust, or just plain being cooked by engine heat. Just saying.

[billetproofcustoms]

Originally Posted by 60-66

Not a very convincing photo, billetproofcustoms, imo . But lets see what we can find out to prove or disprove. First tell us what you know, please, about the engine and if its original to the truck. Has it been rebuilt ? Can you then give us the engine casting number , casting date and engine suffix stamped on the front passenger side of the block. Since its a 1966 , hopefully you have the spid sheet , a protecto plate and the plate on the inside below vent. All of this will have clues to better help you / us define this for you.

casting number is 3849852
casting date F03O8WH

the tag in the truck says
TRIM z62
PAINT 540
WB 115 CA

I could possibly have been rebuilt at some time, not really sure how to determine that.

what info am I looking for on the build sheet?

[billetproofcustoms]

I did some research on the code at the passenger side front of the engine.

It was manufactured on March 8th, 1966 in the Flint plant, and the last two letters (WH) state that it is an A.I.R. with Powerglide.

what does A.I.R. stand for?

[LT1 Burb]

Originally Posted by billetproofcustoms

I did some research on the code at the passenger side front of the engine.

It was manufactured on March 8th, 1966 in the Flint plant, and the last two letters (WH) state that it is an A.I.R. with Powerglide.

what does A.I.R. stand for?

I think it is smog, air injection reactor

[60-66]

Just to clarify something in your original post.

"This may validate the common theory that the factories that built these trucks pretty much did what the wanted as far as engine colors..."

You do understand ? that there were only two engine plants building and painting engines at this time , Flint and Tonawanda . Yours is most likely, Flint, where the engine was built start to finish including paint. Engines were not painted on or at the many assembly lines where these trucks were built.

Heres some info on engine assembly.

.

[billetproofcustoms]

Really interesting info, thanks for posting, I do also know that my truck was built at the Fremont CA plant, I do have both build sheets as well.

[billetproofcustoms]

at what point was the transmission bolted to the engine? weren't the engines painted with the transmission installed? I have seen examples on this board of engine color overspray on the transmission bell housing.

Just curious because I really want to get this as "correct" as i can. not Concours correct, but "correct" enough.

sorry for all the questions.

[60-66]

Not necessarily. Transmissions were put on at the body- chassis assembly line. Transmissions were built at several different plants and shipped to final assembly like the engines. Bell housings or "Clutch Housing" as referred to above , were put on before paint. Heres some interesting photos http://chevellestuff.net/tech/assemblies.htm but do not assume everything you see in the photos relates to trucks.

[sodly]

That sure looks like Chevy blue to me. Doesn't resemble the original turquoise green on my 327, IMO.

[billetproofcustoms]

the paint under the "chevy blue" especially visible on the center of the freeze plug is what I am trying to determine. It looks to me like the engine was sprayed with the chevy blue at some point in its life. looks to be sprayed over alpine green.

I guess my question is this: is it out of the realm of possibility that my engine was alpine green from the factory? has anyone ever seen a factory alpine green 283?

[60-66]

A picture is what I need of the build sheet. Too many things on a build sheet to ask for.

Yes your engine is a 283 PG A.I.R. engine . Couple things , I looked over the one or two pictures I could find of your truck. Its a very nice looking truck ! I'm not putting it down when I say this next, but at some point in its life it was completely repainted , possibly engine compartment also, and obviously the engine.

I was looking for another clue but that did not happen. There were green 283s, but, they were installed in the larger c40-c60 trucks. They were much different than C10 engines. They, GM , actually raised up the water pump on some like the 1961 C60 283 I have, with special made bolt on adapters to get the fan in line to the radiator , also different things about brackets , pulleys and intake manifolds. All of those differences are WHY they were painted a different color though.

My GM parts book specifically says your engine is from a C10 only. Therefor I'm in complete agreement with OEM and Sodly , that your engine paint shown is not factory , it changed over time with chemicals to come up with a green appearance .

Also the correct name for the engine paint is really not Alpine green , its just Green. Alpine Green is a close match but a lighter color than Chevrolet engine green.

After what I've looked at of your truck , it seems very original as far as the parts it came with from the factory , that's a huge plus ! It would be a shame to paint the engine green , ( like painting a GMC V6 GREEN ! ) . Paint it Gray if you want it correct , there's no doubt in my mind that's how it left the factory.

As for the AIR engine, theres a clue on the build sheet or spid that may tell you if your truck was a California sold in state truck or a California export truck , its called " Engine Conversion " in which they plugged the exhaust manifolds for the AIR tubes and changed brackets and pulleys.

Nice truck !!

[billetproofcustoms]

Originally Posted by 60-66

A picture is what I need of the build sheet. Too many things on a build sheet to ask for.

Yes your engine is a 283 PG A.I.R. engine . Couple things , I looked over the one or two pictures I could find of your truck. Its a very nice looking truck ! I'm not putting it down when I say this next, but at some point in its life it was completely repainted , possibly engine compartment also, and obviously the engine.

I was looking for another clue but that did not happen. There were green 283s, but, they were installed in the larger c40-c60 trucks. They were much different than C10 engines. They, GM , actually raised up the water pump on some like the 1961 C60 283 I have, with special made bolt on adapters to get the fan in line to the radiator , also different things about brackets , pulleys and intake manifolds. All of those differences are WHY they were painted a different color though.

My GM parts book specifically says your engine is from a C10 only. Therefor I'm in complete agreement with OEM and Sodly , that your engine paint shown is not factory , it changed over time with chemicals to come up with a green appearance .

Also the correct name for the engine paint is really not Alpine green , its just Green. Alpine Green is a close match but a lighter color than Chevrolet engine green.

After what I've looked at of your truck , it seems very original as far as the parts it came with from the factory , that's a huge plus ! It would be a shame to paint the engine green , ( like painting a GMC V6 GREEN ! ) . Paint it Gray if you want it correct , there's no doubt in my mind that's how it left the factory.

As for the AIR engine, theres a clue on the build sheet or spid that may tell you if your truck was a California sold in state truck or a California export truck , its called " Engine Conversion " in which they plugged the exhaust manifolds for the AIR tubes and changed brackets and pulleys.

Nice truck !!

thanks, it has been in my family since new, my grandfather bought it new in 66 at a local dealership as stated on the build sheets, so it was for sure not a California truck.

Yes, it is quite original except for the air cleaner, and the hubcaps, some fasteners, crappy spliced up wiring harness, and bed wood is not original and is rotting out, other than that, its completely original, that's why I want to restore it instead of hot rodding it.
and yes, I was already aware that it was completely repainted, and not very well either, engine compartment was rattle can sprayed all black which is not correct. it was originally body color, and yes the engine probably was sprayed as well, I found out all that was done in 1991, and unfortunately, it was done poorly if you look closely. No offense taken, I already knew all that.

So, you think grey, not the chevy blue? would be correct?

I have a few pics posted through several of my posts, I also started a blog to follow the build, lots of pics there. http://billetproofcustoms.blogspot.com

[billetproofcustoms]

Here are three pics of the build sheet.

[60-66]

Yup , no A.I.R.

[billetproofcustoms]

Originally Posted by 60-66

Yup , no A.I.R.

So, 60-66, a couple questions if you dont mind. The build sheet says chrome front bumper, but does it indicate a spec for the rear bumper? It currently has a whit utility bumper on it that I really dont like at all, I would like to do a matching chrome bumper.

It seems any reference i can find on motor color indicates either gray, or blue. i'm really leaning (but not set in stone) toward the chevy blue, because I don't see any evidence of gray on the engine anywhere. would the chevy blue be correct for this year truck? My research seems to indicate yes.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by billetproofcustoms

So, 60-66, a couple questions if you dont mind. The build sheet says chrome front bumper, but does it indicate a spec for the rear bumper? It currently has a whit utility bumper on it that I really dont like at all, I would like to do a matching chrome bumper.

It seems any reference i can find on motor color indicates either gray, or blue. i'm really leaning (but not set in stone) toward the chevy blue, because I don't see any evidence of gray on the engine anywhere. would the chevy blue be correct for this year truck? My research seems to indicate yes.

I'll be more direct , Chevy Blue for V8s started in 1977 , period .For C10 in 1966 283s were Gray. For 1966 292 and 327 only, were Green , 1966 250 was Blue. LT1 Burb has an excellent restoration going on in the build section for reference .

There isn't a rear bumper reference because rear bumpers were installed at the dealer , not on factory assembly line. Basically you can put whatever you want on the rear. The chrome sport bumper would look great but theres many utility bumpers that look good also.

Heres a pretty good thread of stock trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=439322

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by billetproofcustoms

would the chevy blue be correct for this year truck? My research seems to indicate yes.

No, Chevy blue was not used on the 283, dark gray was used. The aftermarket does not offer any correct engine paint formulas ( either blue 230-250, dark gray 283 or green 292 327) for any '63-'66 Chevy Truck. Apparently they feel theres not a big enough market for this product, I think they are very wrong. Nobody has seen more low mileage original trucks with documentation than 60-66, the accurate info he offered has come from many years of extensive research, we are lucky to have him in this hobby and on this forum.

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Nobody has seen more low mileage original trucks with documentation than 60-66, the accurate info he offered has come from many years of extensive research, we are lucky to have him in this hobby and on this forum.

The dude knows.

[chtr65]

Anyone have a good source for the original grey for the 65 283 motors? My 65still retains its factory grey paint. I do have the original grey valve covers for my engine. Also, we have a good automotive paint supplier in our area here in central Pa. I'm thinking about pulling the motor this winter, cleaning things up a little and seems like a good time to respray the block. I could take the valve covers in for a paint match. But, perhaps someone has done a spray card. In the vintage Porsche community, we have a few guys that have done the research on correct paint colors. They offer these paint spray out cards for a small fee. Any thoughts?

[PapaSmurf66]

Originally Posted by factorystock

No, Chevy blue was not used on the 283, dark gray was used. The aftermarket does not offer any correct engine paint formulas ( either blue 230-250, dark gray 283 or green 292 327) for any '63-'66 Chevy Truck. Apparently they feel theres not a big enough market for this product, I think they are very wrong. Nobody has seen more low mileage original trucks with documentation than 60-66, the accurate info he offered has come from many years of extensive research, we are lucky to have him in this hobby and on this forum.

Hello all, I have read through this thing 2, 3 or maybe even more times and still gain something from it everytime. As far as '60-66', you are absolutely my hero. I can't imagine in my dreams these trucks you have or seen. These trucks were built to be used and to have example with such LOW miles and options is just plain awesome.

With all that said I do have a question, I am trying to figure out what color the white colored accent is for the door panels? And is that "white" color only to be in the recess or on the entire center of the panel. I admit I have seen both now. :confused:

My '66 is nothing like your guys have but I am attempting more a resto mod since really only the body and rear end were original. I swore I saw the colors on this write up but I've been wrong before. Any help is appreciated. And keep the info (and pictures) coming...

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by PapaSmurf66

Hello all, I have read through this thing 2, 3 or maybe even more times and still gain something from it everytime. As far as '60-66', you are absolutely my hero. I can't imagine in my dreams these trucks you have or seen. These trucks were built to be used and to have example with such LOW miles and options is just plain awesome.

With all that said I do have a question, I am trying to figure out what color the white colored accent is for the door panels? And is that "white" color only to be in the recess or on the entire center of the panel. I admit I have seen both now.

My '66 is nothing like your guys have but I am attempting more a resto mod since really only the body and rear end were original. I swore I saw the colors on this write up but I've been wrong before. Any help is appreciated. And keep the info (and pictures) coming...

The white on a '66 door panel would look like this:
https://flic.kr/p/ysC6r3

[corvettejim1968]

Originally Posted by PapaSmurf66

Hello all, I have read through this thing 2, 3 or maybe even more times and still gain something from it everytime. As far as '60-66', you are absolutely my hero. I can't imagine in my dreams these trucks you have or seen. These trucks were built to be used and to have example with such LOW miles and options is just plain awesome.

With all that said I do have a question, I am trying to figure out what color the white colored accent is for the door panels? And is that "white" color only to be in the recess or on the entire center of the panel. I admit I have seen both now.

My '66 is nothing like your guys have but I am attempting more a resto mod since really only the body and rear end were original. I swore I saw the colors on this write up but I've been wrong before. Any help is appreciated. And keep the info (and pictures) coming...

1964 and 1965


1966

[60-66]

Original paint 283 , truck has 8700 original miles.