Everyone has their own ideas about how to paint an engine. Some people
like to spray them with epoxy out of a gun. This method looks pretty but it does not look correct.....too shiny and too slick...the grain in the cast iron is filled. Also, impossible to do touch-ups. Aerosol paint is the only way to go on engines in my opinion. You don't need to prime, but metal most be perfectly clean and devoid of rust grease, dirt etc. On the high heat areas of the exhaust runners and the crossover
on the intake, brush Eastwood stainless steel coating over the bare iron in those areas before painting any blue.
Brush on two coats and let dry several days between coats on the Eastwood. Three
coats would be even better. After the Eastwood on the high heat areas dries, paint the engine with plastikote number 227 pontiac blue engine paint. The engine should be painted completely assembled minus the intake manifold. Be sure to paint the top area of the heads where the manifold sits. I always paint the entire area there....gasket
sealing will not be affected. Be sure to flip the intake upside down and paint the bottom side before painting the top. On the areas with Eastwood on them, barely mist
the engine paint over the Eastwood to give it a blue tint. Make sure you put on enough paint to avoid rust later, but don't get carried away or the paint will bubble on you in a year or two. On the exhaust manifolds do not use Eastwood Stainless steel coating....It won't hold up long term and you can't repaint without removing the manifolds. On the manifolds, have them Jet hot coated(good to 2000 degrees) You
will need to touch up the high heat areas on the heads every three or four years
if you actually drive the car some...That is easy to do on the car in five minutes
by brushing on more Eastwood. Also, when painting the engine, stick on some junk valve covers to keep the paint off the valve train...then put your show covers on when you get done. On all bolts that aren't painted, go with stainless steel bolts
to avoid rust and deterioration of cad plating.I am sure others have different ideas
about what I have said, but if you want to win at shows my method works.
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