Ive just stripped all the old paint off of my engine, Now im getting ready to clean and mask it all off. Whats the best way to paint it and mask and what all should be installed to paint?

Where does the Oil Pressure Switch go on the engine? Which Side of the head does the temp switch go? (big block 396 original)

Some people prime the engine first than paint, some not. I have always had good luck with a self etching primer and then regular chevy orange. I use rattle cans and buy from Eastwood. The temp gauge goes in the driver's side head on later models and in the intake on earlier models. I only know through 67 the temp gauge in the manifold after that someone else has to chime in. Same with oil pressure switch. I have had only 4 bolt blocks and they go above the oil filter. I think on some blocks they come out of the top back of the block. Again it depends on which year you have.

I disassemble the engine, and clean up & paint each part individually. I can think of few things that look more "backyard" than a half-applied coat of Krylon on top of an old motor, gunk and all, bolts, wires, sensors, and everything else. That just screams half-baked, to me. It certainly doesn't look "restored".

paint each piece individually!!!and use new bolts
looks much more proffesional,also consider painting intake and valve covers,to me its just something about stock color(orange)with aluminum
acc. ie:billet wire looms,water neck,pulleys
and brackets says class,oh and a nice modular carb....
shane

Has any one tried the POR on their engine? Thats what we got and i havent tried it yet.
What color is the harmonic Balancer?
What color is the Water Pump?

Still wonder about the temp switch and oil pressure switch.
The block is a 1970 CTW 396 block with 67 heads and a Edelbrock HI-TORKER II Intake manifold.
There is a spot above the oil filter that has a plug in it that looks like where the pressure switch would go and theres a hole on each side of head for the temp switch.

A metal etch primer and an acrylic enamel. If you can, get a hold of a paint gun and do it that way. The results will be fantastic.

Originally posted by bluechevelless:

What color is the harmonic Balancer?
What color is the Water Pump?

Still wonder about the temp switch and oil pressure switch.
The block is a 1970 CTW 396 block with 67 heads and a Edelbrock HI-TORKER II Intake manifold.
There is a spot above the oil filter that has a plug in it that looks like where the pressure switch would go and theres a hole on each side of head for the temp switch.

Also on the Original 70 SS 396 is the intake manifold natural alumnium or chevy orange too?

If it's a 375 HP motor with an aluminum 'winters' manifold, it would be natural aluminum. If it was a cast iron manifold, it would be painted orange.

What color is the water pump and harmonic balancer?

Chevy orange on both. The belt pulleys would be black on the original car.

POR15 engine paint kit is real good. I have used it with great results. You MUST follow the instruction. Very good quality.

I liked the results on my frame thats why Im thinking of doing it on my engine.
Thanks for the comment.
Did you do yours together or apart? What pieces were installed on the block when you painted it?

What would you guys use to paint a lifter valley?

I use glyptol it is made for use on electrical motors. You can get it from Eastwood, about 25.00 a quart. After the block has been cooked the best thing to do is wash the block off and then spray it with brake clean or carb cleaner before painting the inside.

Ive never painted the lifter or oil valley before.

Originally posted by Freddy Mercado:
POR15 engine paint kit is real good. I have used it with great results. You MUST follow the instruction. Very good quality. Did you paint yours assembled or disassembled?

I just painted my 462 Pontiac a couple weeks ago. It was a few different colors from machine shop, old paint, etc. I painted the long block assembled, with pan and timing cover. I thought about using stock bolts for painting, then installing the stainless ARP's that were on it before, but I ended up just painting the bolts, figure it'd give it some "stealth" concealment. I hit the whole thing with some rattle can primer after a good cleaning with brake cleaner, and air drying. Mask off all gasket surfaces with the 3m "green" tape, it's for hard to stick surfaces, and works great. For the paint, I'd prefer VHT engine paints, but I couldn't find the correct metallic blue for this one, so I went with DupliColor's paint on the engine. I did find the right color in their brand at Checkers locally.

Also What color should the flywheel be?
We painted this last weekend, I should be getting some pictures of it up on the website in a few days.