69 BB Intake overspray

[Greg L.]

I was wondering if someone could explain or possibly send me some pics of the correct amount of engine overspray on the intake for a 69 BB with iron heads. I know the 67's received a fair bit as a result of painting the valve covers but seeing as in 69 they were chrome, I don't think this would have happened and I assume that it would have been left natural on the sides of the intake. The ends however I assume would have had overspray or a masking line and I know the by-pass hose was installed before engine paint but don't know how much paint it should have so any guidance here would be very helpfull.

Assuming that the sides are natural, what color should the gaskets be, grey or black?

Thanks.

[Steve Wallach]

Re: 69 BB Intake overspray

If you have a judging manual, that should address this issue? Mine is a 68, with an Aluminum intake. Per the 685 judging manual, GM used a "mask" and there should not be over spray on the intake as in 67, however there could be a sharp paint brake that may appear on the parts of the intake. To me it seems the sides of the heads (the Valley sides) should be painted Orange, as well as the exposed gasket material.

I hope this helps?

Steve

[Greg L.]

Re: 69 BB Intake overspray

Thanks Steve but now I wonder where this mask line should be.

I used to think that the valleys should be orange as well but lately I've been thinking that this mask may have covered the heads(prior to installing the valve covers) as well as the intake. To me this just makes sense from a production point of view. Other wise they would have to mask three separate items instead of just one big one. Any additional thoughts on this?

[steve wallach]

Re: 69 BB Intake overspray

Ok, my 68 Judging manual is actually the 68-69 manual:

"Intake Manifold"
Cas Iron Manifolds were painted orange, 427 aluminum intake manifolds are not painted and should have a natural finish. However, painting was done using a mask that did not always fit the intake manifold well, and this resulted in overspray on the intake. This overspray will have a sharp break line, not a soft air brushed line. The distributor supports on aluminum intake engines were brush painted Cheverolet orange."

This indicates to me that if you want any overspray to show, it should be on the edges of the aluminum intake and it should be a sharp edged line that has
heavier paint where the overspray shows as opposed to like in 65-67 where it "faded" onto the manifolds.

I painted the valley sides of the heads on my 68 427/435 then installed the manifold, so mine shows NO overspray on the manifold or exhaust manifolds.

Hopefully that's of some help?

Steve

[Mark #28455]

survey of one car

I know a survey of one is not terribly accurate, but I had an original early takeoff intake from a 1969 car that had only about a 1/8" band of orange overspray at the intake port sides of the heads.
Mark

[Greg L.]

Re: survey of one car

Well thanks guys, that's just what I'll do then, mask the manifold and spray the engine.