67 327/350 HP alum. intake silver paint?

[William B.]

In reading the 67 JG manual it states the alum. intake on a 350hp should be painted silver. Is there a certian brand or type of paint that should be used? I have a very nice manifold, it seems a shame to cover it with paint, is the manual correct in this respect? Thanks for any help.

[James W.]

Re: Krylon Dull Aluminum *NM*

[Gary B.]

67 327/350 HP alum. intake silver paint? Yes.

Bill,

The '66 JG also calls for the L79 intake to be painted silver. I had Don Dorfman restore/reskin my original intake and it came out looking great, but the judges are going to expect silver paint, so paint it will get... I think I am goiing to stop short of painting some orange overspray on it.

Gary

[Rob A.]

Re: 67 327/350 HP alum. intake silver paint?

Bill,

There recently were some posts regarding this. Definately check the recent archives before painting it. Some postings indicated only the outer edges were painted, including the attaching bolts.

[Peter B.]

Re: 67 327/350 HP alum. intake silver paint?

Bill, I also have a '67 L79. The aluminum manifold is unpainted. I checked some of the other references I've been collecting and the aluminum manifolds were not painted in '67 or earlier years. (Corvette Restoration Guide, 1963 - 1967, Richard F. Newton, P. 88). What I find are notes that there should be signs of light overspray of the engine block paint at the front and rear of the intake since it was installed before the block was painted. Also, the attaching bolts were black phosphate hex-head bolts that were painted silver and there could be slight amounts of silver paint visible on the aluminum manifold. You're correct, the judging manual, P. 77, does state the L79, 350 HP aluminum manifold is painted silver. Maybe that is intended to refer to the painted bolt heads, but on face value, it seems to say the whole manifold should be painted silver. I'm new to this group and the restoration process, but this appears to be an item in the judging manual that needs some further clarification. In the meantime, I'd suggest not painting that nice aluminum manifold. Pete

[Mike M.]

Re: 67 327/350 HP alum. intake silver paint?

For 65 small block only the edges should be painted ( not sure about latter years but assume they are the same) and it was to cover the bare area of the heads where they would show rust after time. Mike

[William B.]

Mixed answers, what is correct for judging? *NM*

[Gary B.]

What is correct for judging?

All,

I just took a look at the '66 JG and I assume this is consistent with the '67 JG. It says the intake "may show a light spray of silver paint on the sides and orange overspray at the front and rear edges where they meet the block". From what Peter says, I assume the silver is associated with spraying the heads of the black phosphate intake bolts to make then match the aluminum intake.

So, the general answer to your question is to do whatever the latest edition of the '67 JG says.

Gary

[Peter B.]

Re: Mixed answers, what is correct for judging?

You're right Bill...a lot of differing opinions. My L 79 is an untouched, numbers matching, survivor and the aluminum intake is unpainted. If the Judging Manual states the aluminum is to be painted, then I guess that's what you need to give them...but that's not how my original car was delivered and that's backed up by other historical reference books. I'm new at this, but I think the JM is supposed to give guidance and make judgement based upon original fit and finish. In this case, I think it needs further clarification, I'm just not sure how that process is handled in the organization. Anyway, good luck. Pete

[Jack W.]

Re: Mixed answers, what is correct for judging?

Peter - on your example, what do your intake bolts look like, do they show signs of being hit with some silver paint? What about the throttle spring bracket? How about the t-stat cover?

[William B.]

Judges decision on the field will be final??

I understand what the manual says, But I also understand that the judges on the field have the final say NO matter what the manual reads. So it is quite hard to make the decision. I believe the manifold edges were painted to cover the bolt heads and head gasket area. But the manual reads different and I understand the judges on the field have the final say. What do I do????

[Gary B.]

LH and RH edges silver; a better explanation

One of our esteemed and knowledgeable colleagues (first name Michael, who has been banished from posting here) has an alternative explanation for the presence of some silver paint on the LH and RH edges of the intake. He says:

"The silver paint was intended only for the raw unpainted surface of the head. The black bolts had nothing to do with this operation.

Because the head surface was unpainted, a coating was required to prevent rust while the cars were in storage at dealers. A shinny new engine with rust between these areas wouldn't have been a good thing.

I have a great pic of a 64 with the intake removed that was taken many decades ago, It clearly shows the exact line where the silver paint ended at the edge of the gasket."

Micheal notes that he knows most about practices used from '63 thru '65, but based on what the '66 JG says I think Michael's explanation works for '66 as well, and for '67 if it also says some silver paint may be found along the edges. To me it makes more sense that GM would try to prevent an unpainted area from rusting than it does for them to paint black phospate bolt heads so that don't clash with the AL intake.

Gosh, I wish Michael could still post here. It would save me some typing. And we might never see some of the photos Michael mention, which we won't with me as a conduit since I don't know how to post photos here.

Gary

[Patrick H.]

Re: Mixed answers, what is correct for judging?

See these pictures for my take on it (1966 327/350):

Note the line of silver paint on the intake runners.


And here's the front of the motor:


Silver goes on after orange.

Patrick

[Jim R.]

Re: Mixed answers, what is correct for judging?

should have overspray on the bypass hose and fittings ? jim

[John H.]

Re: Mixed answers, what is correct for judging?

I agree with the edge treatment only on the exposed head surfaces - I had two '65 L-79's, one bought brand new and another one in 1967, and neither one had a "painted intake manifold". Sounds like the '67 JG should read like the '66 JG does for that description.