[Golden35]

I’m currently getting the engine rebuilt in the ‘35. The red paint on the block and heads has seen better days and while everything is out, I’d like to repaint it. Do I go back to the red? Match the body color? Go black to make the stainless and chrome really pop? I’ll be putting some new polished accessories on during the process to include the fuel pump, carb, and getting new ceramic coated headers as mine are 25 years old and showing their life. Here’s some pictures of the current look.

I honestly thought I had some better pictures than this, but there are a couple good ones that show how it currently looks

 

[39 master]

What about going for the aluminum look?

 

[95 Truck]

It’s really all up to what you like ant the look you want. A lot of people go black to hide leak’s and dirt.

I myself like to us factory colors of a given brand, small Chevy orange for yours.

if you wanted a gold color but not exact match to your car, you could look at Oldsmobile gold engine paint.

 

[1979Malibu]

I've always been a Chevy Orange guy. I have considered other colors on a few occasions and I can't get away from it. I bet that aluminum look would be great too.

 

[Golden35]

I’m not familiar with the aluminum engine paint. I’m hoping that with the fresh rebuild, I don’t have a lot of leaks, and as far as dirt goes, it’s almost a full day to just polish everything on the vehicle as it is. What’s another 30-60 minutes? 🤣

 

[SoulSurfSD]

Part of your decision depends on what's available in engine paint.
I know some customizers paint engines alot of different colors, I just don't know what's involved in getting those colors in a good engine paint.

• What colors is the interior? Something that matches an interior color, depending what that is, could work.
• A color that compliments the gold, like root beer, could work... but that may depend on whether anything else on the truck is brown, such as the interior...
• As "95 Truck" mentioned, a different shade of Gold could work. "Rose Gold" or Copper is a thought too... but you'd have to evaluate that.
• If you want to go with a factory color, Chevy Orange engine paint by DupliColor (Napa and O'Reilly carry it) looks really great, and seems to keep its bright color over time. It would definitely be better than the red...
• In my opinion, the aluminum would look a little plain, and wouldn't contrast with the chrome.
• Definitely NOT fluorescent green... that's probably my best advice.

While you're at it, some different valve covers would help (just my opinion)...
I had the same covers as yours on my 283, but a classic truck like yours deserves better.

I put "short" finned covers like these on my 383. They look great for a vintage style. They're actually taller than a stock cover, and work great with my aluminum rockers, but you'd have to verify that depending what rockers you have. I bought mine from Speedmaster, but don't see them listed there now. They look like these, with the slightly curved top:
SBC FINNED POLISHED ALU VALVE COVERS SHORT SMALL BLOCK CHEVY SB 283 327 350 383 | eBay

Here's an example of some tall finned ones that seem to have the curved top as well.
I like the curved look best, but some similar ones are straight, just FYI.
You'd need to make sure you have the room with the hood closed, since they're taller:
Retro Finned Polished Aluminum Tall Valve Covers Fit 58-86 SBC Chevy 350 400 | eBay

Some of these come with a matching air filter, if you like that:
Retro Finned Tall Valve Covers Fit 58-86 SBC & 12"x 12" Oval Finned Air Cleaner | eBay

If you don't want the "Corvette" finned look, Speedmaster has these tall ball milled ones.
Again, you'd have to verify that you have room:
PCE® Valve Cover PCE314.1070.06 | Buy Direct with Fast Shipping (speedmaster79.com)

Best of Luck!

 

[BillPac]

With a full-fendered rod the engine block is not very visible. I agree with your thinking that black would enhance the sparkly stuff.

 

[curtis73]

This is normally my wheelhouse as a designer, but I'm stumped by one thing... it's sooo hard to tell what the actual color of the car is. It's one of those where the exposure from the camera means it could be a rose gold, a copper, mustard, it's too hard to tell. Kinda like that dress on the internet a few years ago that some people swore was blue and brown and others thought it was gold and purple (or whatever)

What is the brand and name of the color? That might help.

 

[smokeyfan1000]

Chartruese for sure..................

 

[smokeyfan1000]

Part of your decision depends on what's available in engine paint.
I know some customizers paint engines alot of different colors, I just don't know what's involved in getting those colors in a good engine paint.

• What colors is the interior? Something that matches an interior color, depending what that is, could work.
• A color that compliments the gold, like root beer, could work... but that may depend on whether anything else on the truck is brown, such as the interior...
• As "95 Truck" mentioned, a different shade of Gold could work. "Rose Gold" or Copper is a thought too... but you'd have to evaluate that.
• If you want to go with a factory color, Chevy Orange engine paint by DupliColor (Napa and O'Reilly carry it) looks really great, and seems to keep its bright color over time. It would definitely be better than the red...
• In my opinion, the aluminum would look a little plain, and wouldn't contrast with the chrome.
• Definitely NOT fluorescent green... that's probably my best advice.

While you're at it, some different valve covers would help (just my opinion)...
I had the same covers as yours on my 283, but a classic truck like yours deserves better.

I put "short" finned covers like these on my 383. They look great for a vintage style. They're actually taller than a stock cover, and work great with my aluminum rockers, but you'd have to verify that depending what rockers you have. I bought mine from Speedmaster, but don't see them listed there now. They look like these, with the slightly curved top:
SBC FINNED POLISHED ALU VALVE COVERS SHORT SMALL BLOCK CHEVY SB 283 327 350 383 | eBay

Here's an example of some tall finned ones that seem to have the curved top as well.
I like the curved look best, but some similar ones are straight, just FYI.
You'd need to make sure you have the room with the hood closed, since they're taller:
Retro Finned Polished Aluminum Tall Valve Covers Fit 58-86 SBC Chevy 350 400 | eBay

Some of these come with a matching air filter, if you like that:
Retro Finned Tall Valve Covers Fit 58-86 SBC & 12"x 12" Oval Finned Air Cleaner | eBay

If you don't want the "Corvette" finned look, Speedmaster has these tall ball milled ones.
Again, you'd have to verify that you have room:
PCE® Valve Cover PCE314.1070.06 | Buy Direct with Fast Shipping (speedmaster79.com)

Best of Luck!

Agreed on the "period correct" and time proven design of Small Block Chevy with polished aluminum/chromed finned valve covers on a "hot rod"! Look back to the 50s/60 hot rods for verification.

 

[SoulSurfSD]

Agreed on the "period correct" and time proven design of Small Block Chevy with polished aluminum/chromed finned valve covers on a "hot rod"!

The finned covers also offer the option of painting between the fins with the custom block color, depending what the color is... with some it would work, some not.
If you use the factory Chevy Orange on the block, I wouldn't put any paint on the valve covers.

 

[Golden35]

This is normally my wheelhouse as a designer, but I'm stumped by one thing... it's sooo hard to tell what the actual color of the car is. It's one of those where the exposure from the camera means it could be a rose gold, a copper, mustard, it's too hard to tell. Kinda like that dress on the internet a few years ago that some people swore was blue and brown and others thought it was gold and purple (or whatever)

What is the brand and name of the color? That might help.

I have not figured that out yet. I know at some point when grandpa owned it, someone hit the front of it and a shop local to him was able to match the paint, but I’ve been unable to locate that shop. I have some touch-ups that need done and will be pulling some pieces off to take to a shop that’s local to me to be fixed and repainted.To me it’s gold, but in certain light it does has some orange hints to it.

 

[Golden35]

Part of your decision depends on what's available in engine paint.
I know some customizers paint engines alot of different colors, I just don't know what's involved in getting those colors in a good engine paint.

• What colors is the interior? Something that matches an interior color, depending what that is, could work.
• A color that compliments the gold, like root beer, could work... but that may depend on whether anything else on the truck is brown, such as the interior...
• As "95 Truck" mentioned, a different shade of Gold could work. "Rose Gold" or Copper is a thought too... but you'd have to evaluate that.
• If you want to go with a factory color, Chevy Orange engine paint by DupliColor (Napa and O'Reilly carry it) looks really great, and seems to keep its bright color over time. It would definitely be better than the red...
• In my opinion, the aluminum would look a little plain, and wouldn't contrast with the chrome.
• Definitely NOT fluorescent green... that's probably my best advice.

While you're at it, some different valve covers would help (just my opinion)...
I had the same covers as yours on my 283, but a classic truck like yours deserves better.

I put "short" finned covers like these on my 383. They look great for a vintage style. They're actually taller than a stock cover, and work great with my aluminum rockers, but you'd have to verify that depending what rockers you have. I bought mine from Speedmaster, but don't see them listed there now. They look like these, with the slightly curved top:
SBC FINNED POLISHED ALU VALVE COVERS SHORT SMALL BLOCK CHEVY SB 283 327 350 383 | eBay

Here's an example of some tall finned ones that seem to have the curved top as well.
I like the curved look best, but some similar ones are straight, just FYI.
You'd need to make sure you have the room with the hood closed, since they're taller:
Retro Finned Polished Aluminum Tall Valve Covers Fit 58-86 SBC Chevy 350 400 | eBay

Some of these come with a matching air filter, if you like that:
Retro Finned Tall Valve Covers Fit 58-86 SBC & 12"x 12" Oval Finned Air Cleaner | eBay

If you don't want the "Corvette" finned look, Speedmaster has these tall ball milled ones.
Again, you'd have to verify that you have room:
PCE® Valve Cover PCE314.1070.06 | Buy Direct with Fast Shipping (speedmaster79.com)

Best of Luck!

Now I really want new valve covers as well! Room is not an issue since to hood only covers the top and there’s room to run a supercharger under it (that was originally one of the ideas tossed around). I’m strongly considering going with the black just to make everything else really shine.

 

[SoulSurfSD]

Now I really want new valve covers as well! Room is not an issue since to hood only covers the top and there’s room to run a supercharger under it (that was originally one of the ideas tossed around). I’m strongly considering going with the black just to make everything else really shine.

Yeah after I wrote about the valve covers, I realized that you probably didn't have the hood sides on anyway.
Those finned valve covers would finish it off nicely. The tall ones would make them more visible, so you may as well go with those, if nothing else is in the way.

That color of gold was common back in the 70's... I'd call it "Low Rider Gold"...
Flakes contrasted well with it. Doing your block and heads a lighter gold (someone mentioned Oldsmobile engine gold), would probably look great.

 

[SoulSurfSD]

Here's a slightly cheaper set of the tall polished ones...
SBC Chevy 283 327 350 400 TALL FINNED POLISHED ALUMINUM VALVE COVERS 58-86 | eBay

They also have the curved top, which I think looks better than straight ones.

 

[Golden35]

Yeah after I wrote about the valve covers, I realized that you probably didn't have the hood sides on anyway.
Those finned valve covers would finish it off nicely. The tall ones would make them more visible, so you may as well go with those, if nothing else is in the way.

That color of gold was common back in the 70's... I'd call it "Low Rider Gold"...
Flakes contrasted well with it. Doing your block a lighter gold (someone mentioned Oldsmobile engine gold), would probably look great.

View attachment 623321

View attachment 623322

I do have the full hoods for it, but I honestly don’t think that I would ever actually install them. Why cover something that looks and sounds that good if I don’t have to!

 

[curtis73]

I have not figured that out yet. I know at some point when grandpa owned it, someone hit the front of it and a shop local to him was able to match the paint, but I’ve been unable to locate that shop. I have some touch-ups that need done and will be pulling some pieces off to take to a shop that’s local to me to be fixed and repainted.To me it’s gold, but in certain light it does has some orange hints to it.

Gotcha. If it's the "low rider gold" it might be HOK Pagan Gold or something similar.

I personally think that a bronze would look amazing. My mind goes straight to one of my go-to's. Look up Rustoleum's Antique Brass Metallic. Actually don't. On the web it looks like hot chocolate. Go to a store and buy a can and do a test panel. They also have a Dark Copper Metallic which isn't nearly as copper-y as it sounds. If you like what you see, have a supplier mix some up in a hi-temp enamel.

 

[SoulSurfSD]

I was also thinking of Copper, with the finned valve covers painted between the fins.
Then since it would be Gold, Silver, and Copper, he could have 70's style lettering done in gold flake on the doors, outlined in silver leaf and copper pinstripe, that says "Cha-Ching!"... but I may be getting carried away... 🙄

 

[SoulSurfSD]

As far as the color of copper that might work, here's an example... but this is higher heat paint, and is kind of expensive. The color is good though.
Amazon.com: Rust-Oleum Paint 241232 High Heat Ultra Enamel Spray, Aged Copper, 12-Ounce, Fl Oz (Pack of 1), 11 : Tools & Home Improvement

A different copper that's standard engine paint, and less expensive, but I think may be too orange:
VHT Engine Metallic Coating High Temp Burnt Copper Aerosol 11 OZ SP402 (eastwood.com)

A gold engine paint that's readily available, but looks closer to the truck color, rather than contrasting:
Amazon.com: DupliColor Engine Paint with Ceramic Universal Gold : Everything Else

You could always buy one can of 2, 3, or 4 things that you think might work, and do some test panels to see what you like next to your truck's color...

 

[SoulSurfSD]

Somebody had this posted on ClassicOldsmobile.com

VHT SP404 Gold Flake, Hi-temp.
Duplicolor SP404 VHT Gold Metallic Flake Engine Metallic Spray Paint Aerosol | eBay

I think this is a winner!

Edit: I just noticed that this color seems hard to find, and the ones on eBay are charging high shipping, and are limited quantity... like "last one". That color would be great if you want gold.