Engine colors

rfisch · 01-30-2005, 10:02 PM

I have a '65 289 and am doing a complete teardown and rebuild. While I have the engine out and everything off of it I am going to clean and clean and clean... you get the idea, but anyways, I want to paint everything to get it looking as good as possible. Aside from the valve covers and air filter top, I'm really not that big of a fan of chrome, it just wouldn't go with the rest of my car, I want to paint everything back to, or very close to, original. The problem is I haven't been able to find any 60 year old guys that have good enough memeories to help me out. I'm pretty sure the block, heads, maybe the oil pan, and maybe the power steering resevoir, were all ford blue but I'm not exactly sure. I'm also not real sure about what all was painted and what wasn't, and what can and can't be (fan, pulleys, water pump, alternator brackets, power steering pump... and so on). If someone could point me in the direction of a list, or a paint/parts chart, or even some pictures that show a very close to original motor that would be great.

Gearhead999 · 01-30-2005, 11:54 PM

Well I'm not quite 60 yet. But, I do remember and know what color your 65 Mustang 289 should be.

Blocks, Heads and Intake--Black
Valve covers and Air Cleaner Gold

Blue wasn't used till 1966.

Hope this helps, from an "almost" old guy.

Orange97GTVert · 01-30-2005, 11:57 PM

In 65 the 289 block and intake were painted black. The valve covers and air cleaner were gold. I painted mine black and accented with black crinkle Cobra valve covers and the matching Cobra oval air cleaner. Starting in 1966 everything became Ford Blue.

rfisch · 01-31-2005, 02:44 PM

Thanks for the help guys. That picture is a good looking engine. That's a lot like what I want to head towards. I was also wondering if the block and heads need primer. They are getting a good cleaning bath right now so they will be ready for paint but I wasn't sure if they even made a high temp primer or if it even has to be done.

Orange97GTVert · 01-31-2005, 06:47 PM

Mine came back from the machine shop painted Ford Blue but clean. I stripped it with a wire brush on a drill and painted it directly on the bare block. I have never used a primer on an engine block before. Just make sure it is really clean. I wipe down with enamel reducer a couple of times before painting, and put 2 or 3 good coats down and let sit for 24 hours before doing anything else.

popcorn · 01-31-2005, 10:44 PM

A friend of mine pulled the engine and trans to detail out the engine bay. He painted the engine bay black as usual. To be a bit different he painted the engine block and heads the same color as the car. It looks sharp and something you may want to think about.

rwhite65 · 02-01-2005, 01:05 AM

No need for primer, just do as previously posted and make sure the engine is clean when u paint it. Get some good coats on there and you should be good to go.
Ryan

induction · 02-26-2005, 08:58 PM

I have some pictures of my engine if you would like to see them as a guide.

01-30-2005, 10:02 PM	#1
rfisch Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 31	Engine colors I have a '65 289 and am doing a complete teardown and rebuild. While I have the engine out and everything off of it I am going to clean and clean and clean... you get the idea, but anyways, I want to paint everything to get it looking as good as possible. Aside from the valve covers and air filter top, I'm really not that big of a fan of chrome, it just wouldn't go with the rest of my car, I want to paint everything back to, or very close to, original. The problem is I haven't been able to find any 60 year old guys that have good enough memeories to help me out. I'm pretty sure the block, heads, maybe the oil pan, and maybe the power steering resevoir, were all ford blue but I'm not exactly sure. I'm also not real sure about what all was painted and what wasn't, and what can and can't be (fan, pulleys, water pump, alternator brackets, power steering pump... and so on). If someone could point me in the direction of a list, or a paint/parts chart, or even some pictures that show a very close to original motor that would be great.

01-30-2005, 11:54 PM	#2
Gearhead999 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Oviedo, FL Posts: 992	Re: Engine colors Well I'm not quite 60 yet. But, I do remember and know what color your 65 Mustang 289 should be. Blocks, Heads and Intake--Black Valve covers and Air Cleaner Gold Blue wasn't used till 1966. Hope this helps, from an "almost" old guy. __________________ "Support our Troops" Dave 1968 Cougar 2004 Thunderbird 2007 F150 Harley-Davidson, SuperCrew 1986 LTD 1997 Ranger 1992 Honda Civic

01-31-2005, 02:44 PM	#4
rfisch Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 31	Re: Engine colors Thanks for the help guys. That picture is a good looking engine. That's a lot like what I want to head towards. I was also wondering if the block and heads need primer. They are getting a good cleaning bath right now so they will be ready for paint but I wasn't sure if they even made a high temp primer or if it even has to be done.

01-31-2005, 06:47 PM	#5
Orange97GTVert Mustang Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 568	Re: Engine colors Mine came back from the machine shop painted Ford Blue but clean. I stripped it with a wire brush on a drill and painted it directly on the bare block. I have never used a primer on an engine block before. Just make sure it is really clean. I wipe down with enamel reducer a couple of times before painting, and put 2 or 3 good coats down and let sit for 24 hours before doing anything else. __________________ Harold Phillips www.mustangsofeasttexas.org 1997 Mustang GT Convertible, 4.6L Auto, Autumn Orange w/Saddle Tan Top & Leather Interior, Styling Bar, 17 X 9 Polished Cobra R's on Nitto NT 555's, Ford Racing Bullitt Suspension package, Mac CAI, Steeda UDP's, Flowmaster 40 Series Catback, SCT X-Calibrator II, Zaino Shine, 7 time Show Winner, driven daily

01-31-2005, 10:44 PM	#6
popcorn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7	Re: Engine colors A friend of mine pulled the engine and trans to detail out the engine bay. He painted the engine bay black as usual. To be a bit different he painted the engine block and heads the same color as the car. It looks sharp and something you may want to think about.

02-01-2005, 01:05 AM	#7
rwhite65 Ride Hard Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wyoming IL Posts: 1,094	Re: Engine colors No need for primer, just do as previously posted and make sure the engine is clean when u paint it. Get some good coats on there and you should be good to go. Ryan __________________ 65 Fastback 91 roller 306, H/C/I AOD-Bauman, PI Stallion, 4.10's and traction loc 04 Grand Cherokee Freedom Edition 79 Ford F-250 4x4 - Restored

02-26-2005, 08:58 PM	#8
induction The Brit! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Across the Pond! Posts: 694	Re: Engine colors I have some pictures of my engine if you would like to see them as a guide. __________________ *Restored 1965 Coupe* *April Mare of the Month* RiceHatersClub Member #27

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Rare Mustangs....Got One?	1969Mach1	Blue Oval Lounge	22	09-25-2010 04:59 AM
Very bad experience with Engine Dynamics of San Jose CA	JAGraff	Classic Mustangs	8	06-16-2005 11:43 AM
Very bad experience with Engine Dynamics of San Jose CA	JAGraff	Small Ponies	0	05-12-1999 02:27 AM
Very bad experience with Engine Dynamics of San Jose CA	JAGraff	Racer's Club House	0	05-12-1999 02:27 AM