I was considering painting the T's engine. Does anyone have a picture of how they painted their engine? I'd like to see what the finished product looks like.
Darin
Here's mine:
And Here's Mine..1926 Roadster Pickup
Folks use all sorts of fanciful colors, and even clear coat. Ford used Gilsonite, a dull black. I use black Rustoleum with a satin finish.
How long does the rustoleum last on the engine? Does it flake off with heat?
Jason
Semi-Gloss engine enamel on block and head and pan, Gloss engine enamel on valve covers, intake manifold, fan blades, and other parts, some natural (cast blast enamel) for highlights. Hi-temp 1200 degree gray exhaust manifold paint.
I wouldn't advise Rust Oleum. My Dad and I used Rust Oleum black over Rust Oleum red primer back in the 60's and I don't think it took five years to start pealing and flaking from the heat on the head and the block. Use a high temperature paint if not a product like Cast Blast.
The Rustoleum on that head is only three years old, but it's OK so far. I bake it on at 180º to 250º (no primer). Most of the engine won't get that hot, but I wouldn't use if on the exhaust manifold.
If you use a primer on the engine and then spray over it with enamel you are gonna get peeling in a few years, if not sooner..
Engine paint is colored primer.
Spray or brush it right over bare, clean dry metal. Give it the next coat after 14 minutes but not longer than 15.
If you can't do 2 or 3 coats in the first hour wait 24 hours before another coat. no longer than 32.
Rustoleum now has engine paint.
It is tricky to use though, you gotta keep back a foot and keep moving or it goes on too thick & runs.
I got this information off this forum a few years ago and saved it.
ENGINE PAINTING
1927
In Walter T. Fishleigh's files in Accession 94 at the Ford Archives there is a memo dated July 26, 1926 entitled: “Finish For Model T Motors”. It lists the finish to be put on each of the exposed parts of the motor.
Black Pyroxlylin used on:
1. Transmission Cover
2. Starter Motor
3. Generator
4. Crankcase
5. Commutator
Black Graphite Paint used on:
1. Exhaust Manifold and Carburetor
Black Enamel used on:
1. Breather Cap
2. Commutator Retainer Spring
3. Manifold Clamps
Nickel Plate used on:
1. Cylinder Head Cap Screws
2. Spark Plug caps and Thumb Nuts
3. Spark Plug Wire Terminals
4. Coil Box Terminal Bolts and Nuts
5. Water Connection Cap Screws
6. Manifold Cap Screws
7. Cylinder Valve Cover Bolts
Moleskin Pyroxylin used on:
1. Cylinder Block
2. Cylinder Head
3. Generator Bracket
4. Front Cover
5. Air Intake and Manifold
Bright Zinc Plate used on:
1. Cutout Cover
(signed) C. W. Avery
I did my block timing cover and head in Ford Model A green with the hogs head, pan, valve covers, starter, gen and carb in black. The intake is Dove gray, the exhaust it rust and rebuilt water pumpis Oliver green.
In some eyes it may not be correct, but my wife likes it...which means it's correct. LOL.
The primed bolt heads are now painted gloss black and are no longer red. Next time I take off the intake manifold I will probably paint that gloss black as I think it would look better. The block is Ford (High Temp) Engine Gloss Green from Snyders. The High temp Gloss Black is from any Auto Parts Store and the black High temp manifold paint is from "Eastwood". They also have silver manifold paint but I felt that was a little too high falootin fer a T injun. Jim Patrick
I went "Old Ford Red" on mine...fits a little better then the stock green or black don't ya think?
On this '27 engine used Ford Tractor Gray, and some red for highlights
Bonjour,
In my 1924 I used black gloss.
Olivier
Those are some beautiful engines! Thanks for sharing.
Darin
Would love to see one all chromed out.
Vince M
I used some Cast Blast engine colors from POR-15. Used a heat gun to cure each part after assembly.
Looks real nice now with brass water pipe and black fan.
Whatever color or type of paint you use try and keep the number of coats down. If its thin the heat will be able to get away from the engine and will stay there. Add primer and overdo the coats of color and the coating of paint ( which is just a coating of a plastic ) will act like an insulator and the heat will be captured in the coating unable to get away and if hot enough will blister and peel. Engine enamels are usually very thin in viscosity because of this.