Tweet
I have a1972 coupe that I recently lifted the body off. Everything that I have read tells me that as far as engine paint is concerned that only the engine should be painted with some overspray on the bellhousing. I am certain that this is an unrestored chassis and the whole bellhousing along with the complete transmission (sides,top,bottom) is painted orange. Has anyone ever seen anything like this before?
-
-
Re: engine/transmission paint
Lynn-----
Often times, big blocks will be seen with bellhousings which are completely, or nearly completely, painted engine color. For small block, usually, the paint extends back about 2-4" on the bellhousing in an irregular pattern. However, it's very possible that some small blocks may have received more paint. I suppose it was pretty much up to the painters at Flint or Tonawanda engine plants since the engines and bellhousings were painted as a unit.
As far as the transmission being originally painted, I don't think so. The transmissions were not assembled to the engine when the engine was painted. In fact, the transmissions were installed at the vehicle assembly plants. So, there is no way that the engine, bellhousing and transmission could have been painted as a unit. Also, I've never seen a GM 4 speed transmission which was originally painted.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: engine/transmission paint
Lynn-----
Often times, big blocks will be seen with bellhousings which are completely, or nearly completely, painted engine color. For small block, usually, the paint extends back about 2-4" on the bellhousing in an irregular pattern. However, it's very possible that some small blocks may have received more paint. I suppose it was pretty much up to the painters at Flint or Tonawanda engine plants since the engines and bellhousings were painted as a unit.
As far as the transmission being originally painted, I don't think so. The transmissions were not assembled to the engine when the engine was painted. In fact, the transmissions were installed at the vehicle assembly plants. So, there is no way that the engine, bellhousing and transmission could have been painted as a unit. Also, I've never seen a GM 4 speed transmission which was originally painted.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Re: engine/transmission paint
Joe--
I would like to thank you for responding to my message, and everthing that you have said is exactly what i would have expected to see from what i have read. I have talked to a couple of club members before I came to the tech board (this is what they advised me to do) they seemed to think that this could be an unusual case. This is a small block base motor with an M20. I am certain that the body has never been off this car and the whole top and sides of the transmission are definately orange. I've had this car for about 12 years and I know a little history on it before that. I just got a digital camera today and I am currently trying to figure it out. When I do maybe I could email you some pictures if you are interested. I would bet just about anything that this paint is from the factory I just don't know why. There are a couple of other things about the motor in this car that I am questioning. This is a 1972 built on
10-25-71, serial#5619, it has a numbers matching block and trans. (the stamping pad is also painted completly orange). The heads on this motor are the 487X heads that I've read are on the late base car and LT1 motors. Do you know what constitutes a later car? I've also have a small block ID guide that identifies this a four bolt main cap motor because of the presence of the 1/8" pipe plug that is located above the timing cover. Do you know if this is true? My understanding is that the base cars in 72 were two bolt mains. I have just aquired a 70 convertable that is also a base car that has this plug. I am looking forward to any insight you may have on these issues.
Thanks LynnComment
-
Re: engine/transmission paint
Joe--
I would like to thank you for responding to my message, and everthing that you have said is exactly what i would have expected to see from what i have read. I have talked to a couple of club members before I came to the tech board (this is what they advised me to do) they seemed to think that this could be an unusual case. This is a small block base motor with an M20. I am certain that the body has never been off this car and the whole top and sides of the transmission are definately orange. I've had this car for about 12 years and I know a little history on it before that. I just got a digital camera today and I am currently trying to figure it out. When I do maybe I could email you some pictures if you are interested. I would bet just about anything that this paint is from the factory I just don't know why. There are a couple of other things about the motor in this car that I am questioning. This is a 1972 built on
10-25-71, serial#5619, it has a numbers matching block and trans. (the stamping pad is also painted completly orange). The heads on this motor are the 487X heads that I've read are on the late base car and LT1 motors. Do you know what constitutes a later car? I've also have a small block ID guide that identifies this a four bolt main cap motor because of the presence of the 1/8" pipe plug that is located above the timing cover. Do you know if this is true? My understanding is that the base cars in 72 were two bolt mains. I have just aquired a 70 convertable that is also a base car that has this plug. I am looking forward to any insight you may have on these issues.
Thanks LynnComment
-
Re: engine/transmission paint
All Flint built smallblocks of this era carried the oil gallery plug you referenced, not just 4-bolt mains. Also, the engine pad was not painted at the factory, so it would appear likley that your trans could have been painted when the engine was paintedComment
-
Re: engine/transmission paint
All Flint built smallblocks of this era carried the oil gallery plug you referenced, not just 4-bolt mains. Also, the engine pad was not painted at the factory, so it would appear likley that your trans could have been painted when the engine was paintedComment
-
Re: engine/transmission paint
Lynn-
Your engine and transmission (or, at least the transmission) have been out of the car at some point and someone painted them. The engine and some portion of the bellhousing were originally painted together at Flint Engine, and the raw aluminum transmission from Muncie was installed at St. Louis, and was NEVER factory-painted.Comment
-
Re: engine/transmission paint
Lynn-
Your engine and transmission (or, at least the transmission) have been out of the car at some point and someone painted them. The engine and some portion of the bellhousing were originally painted together at Flint Engine, and the raw aluminum transmission from Muncie was installed at St. Louis, and was NEVER factory-painted.Comment
Comment