Engine Paint Color Question

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

K

Kilian

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2018
Posts
204
Reaction score
37
Location
Wisconsin
First Name
K
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
C2500 on its way to a K2500
Engine Size
350
Maybe this belongs in either Engine or Exterior subforums, but just wondering what the engine color would have been for a 1983 GMC 350 V8?

Truck's engine is a replacement but I want to paint it as original before putting it back into the truck. Thanks!
 
legopnuematic

legopnuematic

Licensed Junk Dealer
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
2,406
Reaction score
6,068
Location
MO
First Name
Spencer
Truck Year
1971, 1̶9̶7̶4, 1976, 1979,1̶9̶8̶5, 2002
Truck Model
Dart Swinger, Sierra 10, C10 Cheyenne, C10 Big Ten, Silverado 10, Ram 2500
Engine Size
225/6, 350 c.i., 350 c.i., 5.9l Cummins
Scott91370 said:
Pretty sure starting in 1982 they were black.
1981 back to 19?? they were orange
Click to expand...
Before they went to black it was corporate blue from 1977+.

1976 and earlier orange.
 
75gmck25

75gmck25

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2016
Posts
2,235
Reaction score
2,152
Location
Northern Virginia
First Name
Bruce
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
K25 Camper Special TH350 NP203
Engine Size
5.7
My original ‘75 engine was probably orange, but I’ve never really liked that color. However, sometimes its because I see a picture where the owner goes crazy and paints everything orange (balancer, water pump, etc. A madman with a spray can.

I think that if you are going to use orange, then it’s only the block (and maybe heads) that is orange. I’m basing that opinion on my Goodwrench crate engine, where only the block, heads, valve covers and oil pan were black. Everything else that bolts on is its original color (grey intake, water pump, fuel pump, etc.).
 
legopnuematic

legopnuematic

Licensed Junk Dealer
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
2,406
Reaction score
6,068
Location
MO
First Name
Spencer
Truck Year
1971, 1̶9̶7̶4, 1976, 1979,1̶9̶8̶5, 2002
Truck Model
Dart Swinger, Sierra 10, C10 Cheyenne, C10 Big Ten, Silverado 10, Ram 2500
Engine Size
225/6, 350 c.i., 350 c.i., 5.9l Cummins
75gmck25 said:
My original ‘75 engine was probably orange, but I’ve never really liked that color. However, sometimes its because I see a picture where the owner goes crazy and paints everything orange (balancer, water pump, etc. A madman with a spray can.

I think that if you are going to use orange, then it’s only the block (and maybe heads) that is orange. I’m basing that opinion on my Goodwrench crate engine, where only the block, heads, valve covers and oil pan were black. Everything else that bolts on is its original color (grey intake, water pump, fuel pump, etc.).
Click to expand...
You must be registered for see images attach

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,298
Reaction score
27,888
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Engines that were painted orange or blue, they were painted as a long block. Block, heads, intake, water pump, balancer and all. It wasn't just the block and heads that were painted orange or blue.

Fwiw, I prefer the Chevy Orange. I've had a couple oversights where I've went with black engines in 80's/90's stuff, but looking back, I feel I should have went with orange on those as well.
 
Turbo4whl

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
3,101
Reaction score
7,185
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
Ricko1966 said:
81 was last year for blue 82 1st year for black. Sorry @Scott91370 I need to read first post second,not vice versa.
Click to expand...
My 1982, built in Nov, 1981 as a '82 model and '82 smog, has a corporate blue engine. I bought it new.
 
C

CalSgt

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2021
Posts
1,687
Reaction score
3,698
Location
CA
First Name
Casey
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
Chevy K-10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
it's your truck, paint it whatever color you think looks good.

You’re more likely to get judged for sloppy work than for color choice.
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,298
Reaction score
27,888
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Turbo4whl said:
My 1982, built in Nov, 1981 as a '82 model and '82 smog, has a corporate blue engine. I bought it new.
Click to expand...

Yep, I know I've seen original 3rd gen F-bodies with blue engines too, and they didn't start until '82.
 
Grit dog

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
6,873
Reaction score
12,014
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
But orange is best!
CalSgt said:
it's your truck, paint it whatever color you think looks good.

You’re more likely to get judged for sloppy work than for color choice.
Click to expand...
^Agreed.
Paint it orange if you want to keep it clean and show it off. Paint it black if you only open the hood to change the oil and the engine only gets washed blasting thru puddles.
Paint it blue if you are the kinda guy that displays the owners manual and original build sheet papers on the dash at car shows.
Paint it any other color if you want it to look weird.
That’s my advice. lol.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

CmuCmu
Paint schemes?
Replies
5
Views
1K
CmuCmu
CmuCmu
N
Engine Crossmember Replacement
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
NC595
N
C10_Blackie
Beginner Alternator Question
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
C10_Blackie
C10_Blackie
CheemsK1500
Definitive interchangeable parts thread 73-87(91) (non-drivetrain)
2
Replies
15
Views
3K
CheemsK1500
CheemsK1500
RanchWelder
Electrical dash wiring / wire color issues.
Replies
6
Views
2K
RanchWelder
RanchWelder

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
43,931
Posts
945,929
Members
35,975
Latest member
jm608
Top