Did GM use unpainted blocks?

[DanMcG]

I was out degreasing around the front end of the 85 and noticed the block is bare iron, which has been well preserved under a layer of grease and oil.
Could this be a reman block or is that the way they did it in 85? the kid I bought it from said it was rebuilt but I figured it was just a sales pitch.
What do you guys think?

 

[74 Shortbed]

My 86 dually was all original and it was not painted.

 

[Jarhead79]

I have a remanufactured motor and it's bare also

 

[RangRayy]

When I degreased my '87 it was bare iron and like yours it was covered in oil and dirt probably 20 years worth.

 

[DanMcG]

thanks Guys!
It's possible it might be painted black, and maybe the paint came off with the degreaser and pressure washing.
The ID pad behind the alternator has stamped 2M0523 6VP, and a little research on the net says the VP was a Target Master reman block, which what GM called it before changing the name to Goodwrench.
Can anyone confirm this?

 

[MikeB]

It used to be that service replacement blocks from GM were not painted. If you went down to the Chevy dealer and laid out $275, you could come home with a brand new 327 short block in bare cast iron.

I still remember serious drag racers in the 60s running unpainted 327s with unpainted spares in the back of the pickup. And in the stock and modified production classes, some guys would literally run a stock short block, but have the heads massaged.

I know that all the one-piece main seal 350 blocks from 86-up were painted black. And the paint they use is pretty tough.

 

[Jim Hensley]

the 86 and up blocks where powder coated that is why its so tough