Now that the engine and trans in my 67 327/350 are finishing the rebuild process, it's time to get ready to restore the engine compartment. What is the best way to clean the frame, etc, and how far do I go with the paint? Should the parts like the coil (transistor ignition), fan, radiator shroud, brackets, etc., be painted, and if so, what color and type of paint. Also the ignition shielding is in pretty good shape, but some (underneath) are pretty rusty. Should I try to keep the original or order repros where necesary? I am looking for general advice in cleaning and restoration.
-
-
Re: 67 Engine compartment restoration
Hi Mr. Landis!
The only limits to your restoration are your determination and your pocketbook.
To asnwer your questions more significantly, some of the parts you mention were painted individually and some collectively.
*Frame: asphalt-based "semi-gloss black"
*Coil - oil-based semi-gloss spray with I believe "202" stencilied in white.
* Fan - dip-painted (?) in semi-gloss black
* Shroud - unpainted black fiberglass. Brackets are dipped (?) semi-gloss black.
If you can clean your existing ignition shielding do so. If not replace with reproduction but keep the originals.
Restoration of the engine compartment can be a financial Pandora's box. So many pieces are simpler to access when the engine is removed that things can get out of hand (been there!) Remember the engine "assembly" including water pump/bellhousing/ +/- exhaust manifolds was painted as a whole; how "correct" your restoration should be depends on your intentions for use. Communicating over the internet (as opposed to "being there") you may find most useful in answering specific questions. Good luck!
Carl -
Re: 67 Engine compartment restoration
Hi Mr. Landis!
The only limits to your restoration are your determination and your pocketbook.
To asnwer your questions more significantly, some of the parts you mention were painted individually and some collectively.
*Frame: asphalt-based "semi-gloss black"
*Coil - oil-based semi-gloss spray with I believe "202" stencilied in white.
* Fan - dip-painted (?) in semi-gloss black
* Shroud - unpainted black fiberglass. Brackets are dipped (?) semi-gloss black.
If you can clean your existing ignition shielding do so. If not replace with reproduction but keep the originals.
Restoration of the engine compartment can be a financial Pandora's box. So many pieces are simpler to access when the engine is removed that things can get out of hand (been there!) Remember the engine "assembly" including water pump/bellhousing/ +/- exhaust manifolds was painted as a whole; how "correct" your restoration should be depends on your intentions for use. Communicating over the internet (as opposed to "being there") you may find most useful in answering specific questions. Good luck!
CarlComment
-
Re: 67 Engine compartment restoration
Scott, Two things to add to Carl's response. The coil is embossed 202 (small block) numbers and it is all black. The tower is natural black plastic. The exhaust manifolds are assembled afer engine painting on small blocks for late '66 & 67 and thus do not have any paint spray. Exhaust manifolds are present at engine painting on big blocks for'67 and do show varyed amounts of overspray .Comment
-
Re: 67 Engine compartment restoration
Scott, Two things to add to Carl's response. The coil is embossed 202 (small block) numbers and it is all black. The tower is natural black plastic. The exhaust manifolds are assembled afer engine painting on small blocks for late '66 & 67 and thus do not have any paint spray. Exhaust manifolds are present at engine painting on big blocks for'67 and do show varyed amounts of overspray .Comment
-
Re: 67 Engine compartment restoration
(1) Original ignition shielding varies from current reproduction.
Stamped forming left subtle (sometimes NOT so subtle) striation
marks where current day repro parts are quite smooth/perfect.
Next, originals were 'flash' chromed giving a very thin light
plate coating where repro shielding is thicker and polished
much better than original.
(2) You've already seen a correction on the coil (embossed designator
painted black vs. stenciled white indicating a service replacement).
(3) Fan paint is documented in Noland Adams' Vol II. Turn to '65
section and see reproduction of GM drawing on L-78 (396) fan.
There's a visible call out in this segment defining the original
DuPont paint blend by mfgr code designation.
As mentioned, you can go 'hog wild' researching and applying the 'correct' finish on various engine compartment items. Many were sourced from outside suppliers and simply bolted on. If a given part had multiple supplier sources, it may well have had different finish. There's not a 'correct' answer on some questions, as different judges have their own opinion based on their personal knowledge of things. I think you'll find getting 'close' gets you there since many judges give the benefit of the doubt to the owner.
In places where there is a consensus of opinion, your '67 Judging Guide will call this out. Also, where there are known points of deviation, the Judging Guide talks to this too.Comment
-
Re: 67 Engine compartment restoration
(1) Original ignition shielding varies from current reproduction.
Stamped forming left subtle (sometimes NOT so subtle) striation
marks where current day repro parts are quite smooth/perfect.
Next, originals were 'flash' chromed giving a very thin light
plate coating where repro shielding is thicker and polished
much better than original.
(2) You've already seen a correction on the coil (embossed designator
painted black vs. stenciled white indicating a service replacement).
(3) Fan paint is documented in Noland Adams' Vol II. Turn to '65
section and see reproduction of GM drawing on L-78 (396) fan.
There's a visible call out in this segment defining the original
DuPont paint blend by mfgr code designation.
As mentioned, you can go 'hog wild' researching and applying the 'correct' finish on various engine compartment items. Many were sourced from outside suppliers and simply bolted on. If a given part had multiple supplier sources, it may well have had different finish. There's not a 'correct' answer on some questions, as different judges have their own opinion based on their personal knowledge of things. I think you'll find getting 'close' gets you there since many judges give the benefit of the doubt to the owner.
In places where there is a consensus of opinion, your '67 Judging Guide will call this out. Also, where there are known points of deviation, the Judging Guide talks to this too.Comment
Comment