'62 340 HP Engine Paint

[Christopher R.]

I'm asking this question specifically in regards to a 1962 340 HP engine. But it probably applies to any C1 or C2 engines with aluminum intakes and aluminum valve covers.

What paint, if any, was applied to the heads in that little area between the aluminum manifold and the aluminum valve covers?

I understand that everything was painted orange up there for the low HP C1 and C2 engines with cast iron intake manifolds and stamped steel valve covers.

But with the high HP engines, neither the aluminum manifold not the valve covers got painted. I believe they were masked. It seems odd that there'd be 2 separate masks with a gap in between them.

I saw a photo recently of a 340 HP engine, and, sure enough, there was a little area of orange in between the valve covers and the intake manifold. Looked odd. Little ribbon of orange paint in between 2 areas of gray. On the other hand, a little ribbon of rust would also look odd.

[Mike E.]

Re: '62 340 HP Engine Paint

Generally, on both 340 and FI 62's, as well as other aluminum-intake solid-axles, I would expect there to be no ribbon of orange between the valve covers and intake--the mask covered that area. Yet the mask wasn't a perfect fit, nor did they often care how well it did fit, so to see orange that blew in from the ends is reasonably common, but confined to the ends of the intake and occasionally the valve cover.

[Dennis C.]

'62 340 HP Engine Paint

I strongly agree with Mike Ernst. Orange paint overspray in that area between the intake and the rocker covers should be about non existant. The engine painter would have just about had to use an air brush to paint there - for no reason whatsoever. And, if the mask happened to be one piece and cover the intake and rockers, pretty tough to paint that area.

On a personal note, when painted orange in that area, I find it looks pretty stupid, too !!! JMHO

[Rob M.]

Re: '62 340 HP Engine Paint

Mike (or others),

Do you have pictures detailing this out?

greetings,
Rob.