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Old 08-14-2010, 04:51 PM   #1
TonyM
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Default Flathead Paint Color

I know that the early flatheads were painted green
and the last two years (52-53) they were painted orange.

What is the correct engine block color for:

1937-38-39 Ford Flathead?

1940-41-42?

1946-47-48?

1949-50-51?

According to the paints available in one of the Early Ford V-8 parts catalogs, it seems that green was the color until 1942. Is this correct?

I have the The Early Ford V-8 - As Henry Built It - The Production Facts Book 1932-1938 by DeAngelis and Francis, but the book does not go into detail about this aspect of the engine block color. They do say this: Cast pieces are engine block color; Stamped pieces are painted black; Aluminum pieces were left unpainted.

Mostly interested in the engine block color for 1937 and 1939 Ford Flathead.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
TonyM.
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Old 08-14-2010, 06:01 PM   #2
TonyM
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

Went to the Van Pelts site but there is no engine color listed for 1937 type block.

Did find all the other colors for the all of the later years for both Merc and Ford: Blue, Bronze, Tangerine, and Green.

I am thinking that the 1937 Ford engine block is green. Is this correct?

TonyM.
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Old 08-14-2010, 06:20 PM   #3
Ken/Alabama
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

Green is correct for 37 and through 42.
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Old 08-14-2010, 06:51 PM   #4
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

Red for hot rods , black for racing.
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Old 02-21-2011, 07:48 PM   #5
Barry WNY
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

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Red for hot rods , black for racing.
My daughter tthought the '36 drab green was not cool so she picked purple, & she always get's her way.
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Old 02-05-2016, 06:51 AM   #6
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

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Red for hot rods , black for racing.

I like that selection too. Having a 8BA engine built for 47 and couldn't decide on which color would be right. What's a good red color for engine ? Will have Offy heads and intake.
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Old 08-14-2010, 07:02 PM   #7
ken ct
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyM View Post
I know that the early flatheads were painted green
and the last two years (52-53) they were painted orange.

What is the correct engine block color for:

1937-38-39 Ford Flathead?

1940-41-42?

1946-47-48?

1949-50-51?

According to the paints available in one of the Early Ford V-8 parts catalogs, it seems that green was the color until 1942. Is this correct?

I have the The Early Ford V-8 - As Henry Built It - The Production Facts Book 1932-1938 by DeAngelis and Francis, but the book does not go into detail about this aspect of the engine block color. They do say this: Cast pieces are engine block color; Stamped pieces are painted black; Aluminum pieces were left unpainted.

Mostly interested in the engine block color for 1937 and 1939 Ford Flathead.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
TonyM.
Green up to 41 and blue 42-48 i believe. ken ct.
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Old 08-14-2010, 07:34 PM   #8
Brendan
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

there was a engine rebuilder here in Santa Rosa ca that would paint them
metallic green
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Old 08-14-2010, 09:40 PM   #9
TonyM
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

Thanks to all for the help.

TonyM
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Old 08-15-2010, 03:22 PM   #10
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

Here's another list - but I really like Ron's reasoning.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/bb...olour_list.htm
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Old 08-15-2010, 06:53 PM   #11
TonyM
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

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Here's another list - but I really like Ron's reasoning.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/bb...olour_list.htm
Yep, I agree, Ron's advice is good.

TM
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Old 08-15-2010, 08:17 PM   #12
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

I have green on my 42 and all the other original 42's I have seen have been green.
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Old 08-16-2010, 03:42 AM   #13
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

the motor in my avitar is the one out of my 39 2 ton tanker fire-engine I was told it is a 100 hp merc motor ,it is blue . has the raised lip under the intake and you can rest a pencil on top of the timing plate. There are numbers on the bell housing B1351 with a D to the left at an angle Idon,t have a distributer but it is a 2 hole with a 3rd small one. 29A on the heads. I would really like to know what it REALLY is thanks barners mike p
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Old 08-16-2010, 05:43 PM   #14
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

Roy Nacewicz has some very good engine paint
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Old 08-20-2010, 10:10 PM   #15
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

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Originally Posted by Mike in Mass View Post
the motor in my avitar is the one out of my 39 2 ton tanker fire-engine I was told it is a 100 hp merc motor ,it is blue . has the raised lip under the intake and you can rest a pencil on top of the timing plate. There are numbers on the bell housing B1351 with a D to the left at an angle Idon,t have a distributer but it is a 2 hole with a 3rd small one. 29A on the heads. I would really like to know what it REALLY is thanks barners mike p
I have the exact same motor out of a fire truck. The 29A heads are '42 Mercury, 239 cubic inch.

Bob
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Old 08-20-2010, 10:28 PM   #16
Mike in Mass
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

THANKS BOB ! I can feel the wind on my arm allready ! I,m sending it out to the machine shop for the ounce over ,by a pro. I have one sticky valve ,and I busted two head bolt s getting them off . Idon,t have the tools the drill it out and re-thread it. i painted everything that was blue,, the "darker" shade of the two ford blues that they had.I hope I got it right 42 merc motor 239 NOW I KNOW ! mike p
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Old 08-17-2010, 11:32 AM   #17
TonyM
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

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Originally Posted by TonyM View Post

I have the The Early Ford V-8 - As Henry Built It - The Production Facts Book 1932-1938 by DeAngelis and Francis, but the book does not go into detail about this aspect of the engine block color. They do say this: Cast pieces are engine block color; Stamped pieces are painted black; Aluminum pieces were left unpainted.

TonyM.
Went back and carefully re-read the DeAngelis and Francis book--the 1932-1941 engine block paint info is in there. Sorry for the error.

TonyM.
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Old 08-20-2010, 10:06 PM   #18
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

1949 Ford - Blue, 1950-51 Copper (some call it bronze, Ford called it copper). As for engine parts, get a copy of the 49-50-51 Ford book published by the Early Ford V-8 Club.
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Old 08-22-2010, 08:26 PM   #19
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

I like ford blue. So thats what I'm going with found the paint at Rual King.
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Old 02-20-2011, 03:22 PM   #20
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Default Re: Flathead Paint Color

So what were Ford's M-#'s for engine colors? Anybody know? Anybody?
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