[68RamII]

Hey Everyone,

I am about ready to paint the engine for my RA II. I have read the threads showing the different shades of Pontiac Light Blue Metallic for 1966 to 1970. Looking through my collection of photos and the photos posted here on PY it seems the level of green varies greatly. Since I work for PPG, I took the time to find the original standard used by our refinish department. The standard is much more blue shade whereas my original engine parts are very green. This leads to some questions which I have listed below.


1. Is it possible, that over time the engine heat, oil and dirt turned the paint green?

2. Do the judges at the GTOAA show really look at the engine color?

3. Are the intake bolts supposed to be black or do they get painted the engine color?

4. Do the water neck bolts get painted the engine color?

5. Do the oil pump housing bolts get painted the engine color?

Pictures and opinions are appreciated!!


Thanks,

[68gtoMN]

Originally Posted by 68RamII

Hey Everyone,

I am about ready to paint the engine for my RA II. I have read the threads showing the different shades of Pontiac Light Blue Metallic for 1966 to 1970. Looking through my collection of photos and the photos posted here on PY it seems the level of green varies greatly. Since I work for PPG, I took the time to find the original standard used by our refinish department. The standard is much more blue shade whereas my original engine parts are very green. This leads to some questions which I have listed below.


1. Is it possible, that over time the engine heat, oil and dirt turned the paint green?

2. Do the judges at the GTOAA show really look at the engine color?

3. Are the intake bolts supposed to be black or do they get painted the engine color?

4. Do the water neck bolts get painted the engine color?

5. Do the oil pump housing bolts get painted the engine color?

Pictures and opinions are appreciated!!


Thanks,

In order:

1. Heat appears to make the color more green over time. I just examined several pictures of an original engine, never removed, with original paint under the grime (well preserved). The back of the block (freeze plugs in particular) are more green. As I get to the A/T flex plate, it is much more silver/blue and the paint on the crank flange is typical silver blue (less heat and exposure)
2. Judges do not fault for slight variations in formula or use over time. If it is the std silver blue, this is known and no deductions will be made
3. Intake bolts are painted- is assembled on engine before paint
4. Thermostat bolts are painted - is assembled on engine before paint
5. Oil filter housing, I think you mean (or are you assuming fuel pump?) Assembled on engine; therefore, painted

[68RamII]

Hey Kurt,

Thanks for the information.

3. If the engine was painted with the intake installed then how did the valley pan and bottom of the intake get painted? Or was that painted before the intake was installed then intake was installed and engine was painted again?

5. My Buick ties come out on this question LOL. Yes, I meant the oil filter housing. So the oil filter housing gets paint but the fuel pump does not get paint?

Thanks!!!

[PaulatFast]

From the factory the only paint under the intake was what came from the outside. There was no effort to get that area painted.

And yes to your last question.

The only time I can recall a deduction for engine paint was for clearcoat.

[68RamII]

Paul,

I have the valley pan and the underside of the intake primed. There is no way I could put that together and leave it raw steel. So, my idea is to paint the valley with a steel color and the bottom if the intake cast. Then put it together and paint the whole engine. How do you guys handle this?

Thanks...

[notime]

That would be perfect!

[Half-Inch Stud]

Heat & Oil make the PMD Metallic Blue turn a neat green.

BUT, there was a series of Buick Green engines in 1968, that I have used Johnson Outboard Green Engine Paint, for a sweet result. I'd reco you find that engine paint and try it on a few parts. I may go back to that paint too.