67 ALUMINUM INTAKE OVERSPRAY

[Rob A.]

I assume that the best way to duplicate the engine paint overspray on the aluminum intake manifold is to paint the engine with the intake installed like the factory did. Was the manifold covered in any way prior to painting the engine? (I am working on a 400 HP car)

[John H.]

Re: 67 ALUMINUM INTAKE OVERSPRAY

The intake was in place when the engine was painted, and was covered by a vacuum-formed plastic mask.

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: 67 ALUMINUM INTAKE OVERSPRAY

John,

Does anyone ( you know of ) have any pictures of that masking operation
using the vac-formed mask? Has anyone ever seen one of these from the day?

Lastly, I am assuming that this was a Tonawanda operation - correct? If so,
would that also hold true for any aluminum intake optioned engine, not just
Corvette?

Steve

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: 67 ALUMINUM INTAKE OVERSPRAY

Steve,

-------I never saw one but have had it explained in detail. I have been told they were pretty flimsy. When they got some use they didnt fit as well and more overspray would show up on the intake. At some point the mask would be replaced when it became literally too bad to use,which I was told was relatively often.
-------You are correct in your assumption. All Chevrolet aluminum intake motors from this era were treated the same way,that I can think of..........Bill S

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: 67 ALUMINUM INTAKE OVERSPRAY

Thanks for the information Bill!

Now, here's a slight twist on my original question. Can you tell me
how the masking ( assuming it was masked ) was done on the exhaust
manifolds and the dip stick tube in particular?

Steve

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: 67 ALUMINUM INTAKE OVERSPRAY

Steve,

-------I dont think there was any sort of covering on the exaust manifolds.The factory knew the paint would burn off quickly so didnt bother.I may be wrong,but believe the dipstick tube was installed later on the engine assembly line.............Bill S

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: 67 ALUMINUM INTAKE OVERSPRAY

OK Bill,

Here's where it gets interesting. On big blocks, the dip stick tube
uses one of the exhaust manifold bolts to secure itself. Sooo, what
now? Did they leave one bolt out, and the dip stick station ( on the line )
added the tube & bolt?

Also, do I take that to imply that the tube was left natural steel color?

Details...details...

Steve

[John H.]

Re: 67 ALUMINUM INTAKE OVERSPRAY

Depending on which engine plant and which year, the paint processes changed periodically; exhaust manifolds were never masked - they were either on the engine in the paint booth or they were installed later. Dipstick tubes were always assembly plant-installed, so they didn't have any paint on them.