'54 manifold colors

[Robert V.]

Noland Adams' restoration book has a caption under a picture of a '53 engine that says both intake and exhaust manifolds are painted engine color. Another picture, this time of a '54 engine, has a cption that says the exhaust maifold is engine color but says nothing of the intake manifold. When I disassembled my '54, there was no trace of engine color on the intake or exhaust manifolds. The intake was bare aluminum and the exhaust was bare cast iron. So, does anyone know what these colors should be? It doesn't make much sense to paint the exhaust maifold with engine paint which is not suitable for high exhaust temperatures and will burn off almost immediately anyway. Thanks in advance for any enlightenment anyone can give me on this.

Bob Valeski
12075

[Mike M.]

Re: '54 manifold colors

i believe both int and ex manifolds were installed prior to engine paint.the paint burnt off the exhaust manifold within an hour or two of extended running back in 53 and onward. paint the whole deal . mike

[Robert V.]

Re: '54 manifold colors

Thanks, Mike. But why paint the exhaust manifold if it just burns right off?

Bob

[Chuck G.]

Re: '54 manifold colors

It was on the engine when it was painted. Same deal with the V8's. They all had some degree of engine overspray. Chuck

[Robert V.]

Re: '54 manifold colors

Thanks Chuck. I guess that just saved the factory from masking off machined surfaces.

Bob

[John H.]

Re: '54 manifold colors

Robert -

Here's a photo of the paint booth at the old Flint Motor Plant (L-6) during the early 50's; shows the intake and exhaust manifolds in place (pass. car engines).

[Joseph T.]

Re: '54 manifold colors

Bob

As I recall..the 6 cylinder engines at that time were hoisted at the plant with a hook under the front of the intake manifold.

You might check to see if there are any marks from the hook existing on your manifold..mine had some.

1954 # 814

Joe

[Peter K.]

Re: '54 manifold colors

Prior to painting my exhaust manifold with the enigine, I coated it with Eastwoods High Temp Paint, Cast Iron color so when the blue baked off, the manifold wouldn't rust. Three years later, it still looks great.

[Robert V.]

Re: '54 manifold colors

Thanks for the response. I decided to coat the exhaust manifold with POR 15 Factory Manifold Gray Hi-Temp paint and skip the engine color since it just burns off anyway.

[Robert V.]

Re: '54 manifold colors

Great picture, John. Thanks. But those engines in the picture appear to be regular Chevy 6's and not Corvette. But, I guess the Corvette got the same treatment. It looks like the bell housing got engine paint also.

[Robert V.]

Re: '54 manifold colors

Joe

Thanks for the response. No, I can't see any evidence of a hook being used on mine. My car is #1504 so maybe they started treating them more gently later in the model year.

Bob