Engine Paint Color Question

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Kilian

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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

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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

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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.).
 
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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.).
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bucket

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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

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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.
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My 1982, built in Nov, 1981 as a '82 model and '82 smog, has a corporate blue engine. I bought it new.
 
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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

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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.
 
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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.
 
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