Painting my engine question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lippyp · 09-04-2008, 07:58 AM

I need to spruce up my engine as it looks pretty awful. Is it possible to paint an engine in situ as I don't have the space or facilities to pull the engine at the moment? I'm happy to remove inner/outer fenders if neccesary to make access easier. As I've got a new intake, valve covers, dizzy to go on it makes sense to spruce the block up first.

wHATANERD · 09-04-2008, 08:03 AM

It's possible, but I would have the engine compartment and engine steam cleaned before painting as paint doesn't stick to oil and grease very well.

Longhorn Man · 09-04-2008, 09:35 AM

clean everything you want to paint. This is th4e hardest part when it is in the truck still (can be done though)
When you think it's all clean, do it two more times.
I say strip the engine as far as you can.... belts, hoses, fuel lines.... all the 'dressings' on the engine need to come off. I would even pull the fuel pump and exhaust manifolds/headers.
As you are masking things with yesterdays news paper... grab the alluminum foil from the kitchen. You can mask off odd ball shaped things (cross memeber, sway bar, brake lines) with the foil, wrap it, squeeze the foil, anf it's there.
Have fun, take your time, clean clean clean.
Here's one I did... engine never came off, intake never came off, did it in my dirt driveway, all in all I think it took me a day and a half. (obviously not straight through)

see ten · 09-04-2008, 10:58 AM

71see10 did this one while it was still in the truck. He pulled the inner fenders and painted them black and then he shot the inside of the outer fenders and firewall green. It turned out great.....but he has above average skill and patience.

I may have some better pics somewhere...If I find em I'll come back and add them to the thread.

Lippyp · 09-04-2008, 11:55 AM

Firewall and inner fenders etc are all fine, its just the block and heads themselves that need paint. The intake manifold will be coming off to be replaced with an edelbrock performer anyway, its got ramshorns on it so assuming I can get them undone I'll take them offand as much of the other bits as I can. I was going to use POR15's engine paint as that seems to get a reasonable thumbs up from people.

TotalChevy1 · 09-04-2008, 12:40 PM

If you take the front clip off it makes it very easy.... strip the motor down as far as you can, degrease.... The old pan and around the trans were the hardest, but mask and you should be fine.

**leddzepp** · 09-04-2008, 02:20 PM

Yes, use POR 15 for sure. You can even brush it on if you do not want to mask everything off and you will get fantastic results!

PanelDeland · 09-04-2008, 07:26 PM

I like to finish clean with brake cleaner.It seems to make the surface completely oil free and the paint sticks better.It will eat paint so make sure it doesn't get on paint you want to keep and is completely dry.

71 super · 09-04-2008, 09:49 PM

you will be happy with por15, but dont thin too much as it will run and it is a pain to get off,but it looks as good as powder imo.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 09-04-2008, 09:59 PM

I used Dupli Color engine enamel on mine and didn't even get all of the grease off of it, it's been 3 years now and it still looks as good as the day I painted it!!!!

09-04-2008, 07:58 AM	#1
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	Painting my engine question I need to spruce up my engine as it looks pretty awful. Is it possible to paint an engine in situ as I don't have the space or facilities to pull the engine at the moment? I'm happy to remove inner/outer fenders if neccesary to make access easier. As I've got a new intake, valve covers, dizzy to go on it makes sense to spruce the block up first. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

09-04-2008, 08:03 AM	#2
wHATANERD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Uvalde, Tx Posts: 407	Re: Painting my engine question It's possible, but I would have the engine compartment and engine steam cleaned before painting as paint doesn't stick to oil and grease very well. __________________ 1969 C/10 Longbed undergoing rebuild. Old Chevy's Never Die, They Just Rust Around The Edges

09-04-2008, 09:35 AM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Painting my engine question clean everything you want to paint. This is th4e hardest part when it is in the truck still (can be done though) When you think it's all clean, do it two more times. I say strip the engine as far as you can.... belts, hoses, fuel lines.... all the 'dressings' on the engine need to come off. I would even pull the fuel pump and exhaust manifolds/headers. As you are masking things with yesterdays news paper... grab the alluminum foil from the kitchen. You can mask off odd ball shaped things (cross memeber, sway bar, brake lines) with the foil, wrap it, squeeze the foil, anf it's there. Have fun, take your time, clean clean clean. Here's one I did... engine never came off, intake never came off, did it in my dirt driveway, all in all I think it took me a day and a half. (obviously not straight through) Attached Images

09-04-2008, 10:58 AM	#4
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,074	Re: Painting my engine question 71see10 did this one while it was still in the truck. He pulled the inner fenders and painted them black and then he shot the inside of the outer fenders and firewall green. It turned out great.....but he has above average skill and patience. I may have some better pics somewhere...If I find em I'll come back and add them to the thread.

09-04-2008, 11:55 AM	#5
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	Re: Painting my engine question Firewall and inner fenders etc are all fine, its just the block and heads themselves that need paint. The intake manifold will be coming off to be replaced with an edelbrock performer anyway, its got ramshorns on it so assuming I can get them undone I'll take them offand as much of the other bits as I can. I was going to use POR15's engine paint as that seems to get a reasonable thumbs up from people. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

09-04-2008, 12:40 PM	#6
TotalChevy1 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 175	Re: Painting my engine question If you take the front clip off it makes it very easy.... strip the motor down as far as you can, degrease.... The old pan and around the trans were the hardest, but mask and you should be fine. Attached Images __________________ 1972 c-20, 350/350, dana 60 w/456 gears(no Posi)

09-04-2008, 02:20 PM	#7
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,997	Re: Painting my engine question Yes, use POR 15 for sure. You can even brush it on if you do not want to mask everything off and you will get fantastic results!

09-04-2008, 07:26 PM	#8
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Painting my engine question I like to finish clean with brake cleaner.It seems to make the surface completely oil free and the paint sticks better.It will eat paint so make sure it doesn't get on paint you want to keep and is completely dry. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" Last edited by PanelDeland; 09-04-2008 at 07:27 PM.

09-04-2008, 09:49 PM	#9
71 super Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canton North carolina Posts: 3,079	Re: Painting my engine question you will be happy with por15, but dont thin too much as it will run and it is a pain to get off,but it looks as good as powder imo. __________________ 67 blue step side- bb 68 gold and white swb cst anniversary 68 custom swb hot rod Ls swap 69 swb cst 6 cylinder/ overdrive 69 black/black cst bb swb 70 orange and white cst Canada built truck swb bb 71 black and white super swb bb 71 red and white super swb 72 green and white super swb 4x4 62 nova wagon 400 series Ls swapped 68 Camaro 327/4 speed- 1 owner, original paint 66 Volkswagen bettle 69 auto stick Volkswagen Beetle

09-04-2008, 09:59 PM	#10
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Re: Painting my engine question I used Dupli Color engine enamel on mine and didn't even get all of the grease off of it, it's been 3 years now and it still looks as good as the day I painted it!!!! __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA Last edited by BLACK AND BLUE 67-72; 09-04-2008 at 10:01 PM.



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