I'm rebuilding the engine in my 1915 Model T.

I'd like to repaint it to the original color scheme. I have the manifolds, and other external items bead-blasted, and primered. Before I do the "black" thing, I was wondering if there was a chart out there, that would tell me what colors to use. I've seen some greens, grays, etc...
What's right?

Semi-gloss black. The exhaust manifold was bare iron so most of use the hi-temp Cast Blast or equivalent. Paint the crankcase full gloss black and leave the tranmission cover bare aluminum, or, better, after you have the cover cleaned in an engine block bead blast, spray a clear lacquer to keep it the bright aluminum color. Powder coat the pedals gloss black; it'll outlast paint 50x (but can make a wet pedal even more slippery).

Thanks. Are these 'factory' or just a friendly suggestion?

I have powder coating capabilities at my company, so they don't mind if I do small items. I have rubber pedal pads, so it shouldn't be an issue if it gets wet. ( I don't drive it if there are clouds in the sky. I'm from Seattle, so it doesn't go out much.! LOL)

As factory as it can (or should) be after 92 years. The engine was originally painted in a thin sort of coating that essentially gave rust protection until it was sold. It was glossy when first applied but quickly dulled to a semi-gloss, but not to flat.

If you want to be 100% "factory," brush it on, slobber it a little, have a few patches glossier than the rest, and leave several of the hard-to-reach spots bare.

LOL, Thanks, I'll follow your original color scheme.

Michael,

For the 1927 Model Year Engines they have some great documentation on how it was painted at: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/P-R.htm#paint3 For the earlier engines there is still a lot of question if all, none, or some were painted and if so what parts and what time frame. RV's recommendation will work well and keep the engine from rusting. Bruce shares in the section just above the 1927 engine painting paragraph:

Engines, engine pans, and splash shields (at the side of the engine) may or may not have been painted. Again, the consensus is that many engines were not painted but that some were painted in a very thin black during the Model T era. Late 1926 and 1927 engines were painted Moleskin, at least at the main factory. Even here, though, there were exceptions. Engine pans follow the same pattern. The dust shields were probably painted body color in the early years, and black through 1927. Floor boards were generally not painted but may have been given a coat of linseed oil or similar.

Bruce has some additional information at: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/E.htm#eng5

Bruce also shared: Indeed, there are no hard and fast rules on what was and what was not painted on any Model T. There were too many variations.



The photo above is an early 1915 assembly picture from the Vintage Ford May Jun 1976 page 36. The caption reads:" Installing the Engine. Note that it does not appear to be painted black, if it was painted at all."

Hap again -- you can see the dark colored frame in the picture and it appears the oil pan was also painted black -- might be shadows but the transmission pan ears appear dark in the picture to me.

Hap 1915 Model T Ford Touring cut off and made into a pickup truck and 1907 Model S Runabout

I USE THE CAST IRON LAST BLAST PAINT SOLD BY GOODSON TOOL SUPPLY THIS IRON GRAY PAINT RESTORES A FRESH FROM THE BEAD BLASTER LOOK TO CAST IRON

So should the transmission cover on a 15' with aluminum hogs head be aluminum also? Mine is steel and was painted black--thinking about painting it aluminum though. Suggestions?

Chris

Chris-
If you don't have an aluminum hogshead, you can spray paint it silver...

Keith,
The hogshead is aluminum, I'm thinking the cover plate being steel is incorrect for the hogshead.

Chris.

Sorry. I mis-read.
The 1915 tranny cover is a FLAT piece of steel. Would be painted black.
-Keith