Chevy Orange or Black

[IndyShiftman]

I see a lot of votes for the cast gray. I kinda like that idea except for one thing.
The valve covers I want to reuse. They are the cast aluminum finned type and I don't think they would look that good gray and with the top of the fins and the script scotch brighted. Although I may be wrong. There might me enough contrast to where it would look good.

[White Monster]

The valve covers don't need to match the block. You already have enough aluminum finish for those components to to stand out.

Just as the black engine block dissapears in the black compartment, gray (or cast) paint will make all the other "goodies" dissapear on a matching block as well. Don't go from one extreme to another.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.
;)

[joebogey]

I paint engines black. Or cast coat grey. Depends on the application, but 90% are black. I'm a Chevy guy, but I don't do orange on motors usually.

You actually paint stuff ??
Wow !!

Notice he said engines, not cars. I think the valve covers would look ok cast, a la Corvette finned covers or LT-1.

[Morgan]

I have an Aluminum motor in my Cobra. None of the details dissapears. Cast would look great against the black compartment and nice contrast with the valve covers.



Since this picture I have powder coated the bellhousing to match the aluminum block and replaced the red spark plug wires with black wires.

[White Monster]

I paint engines black. Or cast coat grey. Depends on the application, but 90% are black. I'm a Chevy guy, but I don't do orange on motors usually.

You actually paint stuff ??
Wow !!

Ah Ha! Right you are. ;)

Notice he said engines, not cars. I think the valve covers would look ok cast, a la Corvette finned covers or LT-1.

[Scott Liggett]

I think if you paint the motor orange or red; you can leave those beautiful valve covers black as they are. If you paint the motor cast gray; I'm not so sure they would look right with those covers no matter what color they are.

You may have to do some experimenting to see what color combos work for you.

most stylists and designers say to use three color combos. I think if you paint the block red, keep the valve covers black, along with the brackets, then keep the alt intake and such cast gray; it would look spectacular.

[Monk]

I'm an anal dickhead........orange
I like contrast

Check out my link for some examples......

[IndyShiftman]

Well the poll is too close to show a stand out choice. So I guess there is no right or wrong answer to the choices I have given.
So my decision is based on retro appearance. Even though the car is not all original, has a few high tech items, I still want to give it more of a factory look.
I have chosen,,, ORANGE!

Thanks to all who participated. I will post pics when I get started.

[Scott Liggett]

Here's a orange sbc in black engine compartment. Mine.



Anything would be better than my Caprices 454 lack of paint and ton of grease.