quote:Originally posted by usmcfred:quote:Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
The engine was painted as an assembly. Everything that was on the "long block" at the time was painted.
That included the intake manifold (but not the carb), the valve covers, the oil pan.
Some engine lines had the exhaust manifolds off but most did not, so most engine lines got the manifolds 'partially' painted.
The distributor was not painted.
Freeze plugs were on the engine block at that time but because of the shrouding from the exhaust manifolds most are not completely covered in paint.
You are going to find though that with any Ford car that is being "Concourse" judged, the amount of paint is going to vary and be a constant source of discussion.
Rocky's second pic shows the plugs that have bare spots as to what I would expect an original factory painting to look like.
I would say that those are original to the Ford build.
The thing with the Clevelands though is the color of the blue paint.
Technically Ford will tell you that there is just one color, Corporate Blue, but the color is lighter on the 302's and darker on the Clevelands.
Doug, Can you advise who makes rattle cans with the correct (darker) shade of blue Ford engine enamel for the 331C? I have bought paint from Hirsch in Newark, NJ for past (non-Ford) projects and their paint quality is good.
Also, on a different topic ... is there a thread containing the procedure for removing the engine and transaxle as I need to get my leaking gas tank out for repair or replacement.
Thanks, usmcfred
'72 Pre-L
# 03041
The "Concourse" Mustang guys are having it mixed with a hardner. It lasts longer than the "rattle cans" do.
They are telling me that you have to flatten it 25% though.
The technical answer is that it is Ford Corporate Blue PERIOD.
The reality is that the color from the Cleveland plant was darker than that from the Windsor plant.
VHT Ford Blue is about as close as you will get and I personally leave it at that.
If you had a valve cover or an air cleaner that you liked the shade of but the VHT did not match, you can have someone blend the color to match it.
I don't think that it is worth the effort.
The trick to pulling the engine is the angle. TGIF. Toes go in first.
It helps if you balance it like Rocky did but my solution was to build a "T" head that slips over the boom and the chains bolt to the side of the heads.
The scary part is that you need to pick the assembly up much higher to get the angle than you would on a Mustang.
Once you "man up" it really is very easy. Just take a rawhide chew that you would give your dog and bite on it while you do it. It helps some?
...oh and wear dark colored pants in case you have an "accident" and someone is watching.
