The Ford Barn

Stretch Cab · 06-27-2010, 08:04 PM

I have seen several Model A motors painted red. I think that I can say that other than the original green that is the only other color I have seen an A motor. My question is this, is the red just a coincidence or was there a source for A motors that painted theirs red? Just wondering...............

Kirby1374 · 06-27-2010, 08:11 PM

the spray paint cans say "Ford Red" don't they......

Clem Clement · 06-27-2010, 08:18 PM

Supposedly red was a cool thing to do to motors to make the girls think you had a suped up engine. My Packard had a red head.
Clem

Steve Ciccalone · 06-27-2010, 08:27 PM

Clem, old military saying..."I'd rather be dead, than red on the head, like a di-k of a dog. Did you guys in the USAF use that, we did in the USCG.

Bob A. · 06-27-2010, 08:55 PM

I have one that I'll be opening up soon. It's painted red and has a rebuilt tag at the rear passenger side.

Dee Jay · 06-27-2010, 09:12 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Some industrial engines.

CWPASADENA · 06-27-2010, 09:37 PM

CARS WITH RED MOTORS GO FASTER,

Just ask any old Hot Rodder.

Chris

Mike Mc · 06-27-2010, 09:54 PM

My Dad always had a thing about painting motors red. Probably his hot rod past.

I'd be too scared to paint a motor blue, in case it would start smoking

Jim Parker Toronto · 06-27-2010, 10:04 PM

I think I heard somewhere that some of the early Canadian motors were grey. Sorry, no documentation to back this up, just a bad memory.........

quickchange · 06-27-2010, 11:32 PM

Jim , You are correct , Most were green but some Canadian exports to NZ were grey, However for judging one should do it as Henry wished it to be not how it ended up. Even our G28T claas engines that we received here & run which were produced in mid 50.s were painted Ford green, Red looks good in a speedster,

pat in Santa Cruz · 06-28-2010, 12:12 AM

I'm with CWPASADENA...Red is HOT!!...you can feel the power just looking at a red engine. Originally Winfields highest compression head was red...that might have started it, but I bet it started in the early teens.

van Dyck · 06-28-2010, 01:22 AM

"Testarossa" is Italian for Redhead, just in case you wanted to know!

sonny30coupe · 06-28-2010, 01:44 AM

Sorry CW, black motors are faster......

1931 flamingo · 06-28-2010, 07:57 AM

nobody has mentioned blue, have seen some.
Paul in CT

Farrell In Vancouver · 06-28-2010, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickchange

Jim , You are correct , Most were green but some Canadian exports to NZ were grey, However for judging one should do it as Henry wished it to be not how it ended up. Even our G28T claas engines that we received here & run which were produced in mid 50.s were painted Ford green, Red looks good in a speedster,

Some did not make it to the "boat" to NZ, I have found at least three Canadian engines that were originally gray.

Colorado Greg · 06-28-2010, 09:41 AM

I have some of the Ford Green paint on the engine that is peeling and I can see where it was painted a lime green at one time. I can't decide which is worse, red or lime green.

29ModelA · 06-28-2010, 11:17 AM

Probably buying the Red 9N engine paint...

Purdy Swoft · 06-28-2010, 11:34 AM

Two of my dual up draft intake manifolds are red, both are cast iron old stock. The Trojan was painted red the Uniflo (best) appears to be red porcelanized. The 7.1 Winfield heads were red. I think that red symbolizes speed. I still paint my engines Green. If I had one of the new 7.1 winfield aluminum heads I would have to paint it red. I have thought about it several times but I just can't bring myself to run an aluminum head.

Lee · 06-30-2010, 09:09 AM

Sears exchange Model A engines were painted red.

Bruce · 06-30-2010, 09:20 AM

Someone told me that the light green paint indicated that the engine was rebuilt by Montgomery Ward. I've had several and seen many more that were painted that "wrong" color. Actually, it is a pretty good indication that the rebuilder is proud of his/her work -- everybody will know if the job is less than great!

06-27-2010, 08:04 PM	#1
Stretch Cab Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lexington, NC Posts: 700	Why red motors? I have seen several Model A motors painted red. I think that I can say that other than the original green that is the only other color I have seen an A motor. My question is this, is the red just a coincidence or was there a source for A motors that painted theirs red? Just wondering...............

06-27-2010, 08:11 PM	#2
Kirby1374 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coquille, Or Posts: 280	Re: Why red motors? the spray paint cans say "Ford Red" don't they......

06-27-2010, 08:18 PM	#3
Clem Clement Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 3,405	Re: Why red motors? Supposedly red was a cool thing to do to motors to make the girls think you had a suped up engine. My Packard had a red head. Clem

06-27-2010, 08:27 PM	#4
Steve Ciccalone Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: "Live Free or Die!" Posts: 510	Re: Why red motors? Clem, old military saying..."I'd rather be dead, than red on the head, like a di-k of a dog. Did you guys in the USAF use that, we did in the USCG. __________________ "A wet bird doesn't fly at night."

06-27-2010, 08:55 PM	#5
Bob A. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New York Posts: 158	Re: Why red motors? I have one that I'll be opening up soon. It's painted red and has a rebuilt tag at the rear passenger side. __________________ *"Some Talk the Walk while others Walk the Walk"* Last edited by Bob A.; 08-04-2010 at 09:31 AM.

06-27-2010, 09:12 PM	#6
Dee Jay Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 56	Re: Why red motors? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Some industrial engines.

06-27-2010, 09:37 PM	#7
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,893	Re: Why red motors? CARS WITH RED MOTORS GO FASTER, Just ask any old Hot Rodder. Chris Last edited by CWPASADENA; 06-27-2010 at 09:37 PM. Reason: TYPO

06-27-2010, 09:54 PM	#8
Mike Mc Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 55	Re: Why red motors? My Dad always had a thing about painting motors red. Probably his hot rod past. I'd be too scared to paint a motor blue, in case it would start smoking

06-27-2010, 10:04 PM	#9
Jim Parker Toronto Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,289	Re: Why red motors? I think I heard somewhere that some of the early Canadian motors were grey. Sorry, no documentation to back this up, just a bad memory.........

06-27-2010, 11:32 PM	#10
quickchange Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nelson. New Zealand Posts: 2,010	Re: Why red motors? Jim , You are correct , Most were green but some Canadian exports to NZ were grey, However for judging one should do it as Henry wished it to be not how it ended up. Even our G28T claas engines that we received here & run which were produced in mid 50.s were painted Ford green, Red looks good in a speedster,

06-28-2010, 12:12 AM	#11
pat in Santa Cruz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: santa cruz, calif Posts: 2,011	Re: Why red motors? I'm with CWPASADENA...Red is HOT!!...you can feel the power just looking at a red engine. Originally Winfields highest compression head was red...that might have started it, but I bet it started in the early teens.

06-28-2010, 01:22 AM	#12
van Dyck Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 190	Re: Why red motors? "Testarossa" is Italian for Redhead, just in case you wanted to know!

06-28-2010, 01:44 AM	#13
sonny30coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kansas City KS Posts: 255	Re: Why red motors? Sorry CW, black motors are faster......

06-28-2010, 07:57 AM	#14
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,394	Re: Why red motors? nobody has mentioned blue, have seen some. Paul in CT

06-28-2010, 09:41 AM	#16
Colorado Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 241	Re: Why red motors? I have some of the Ford Green paint on the engine that is peeling and I can see where it was painted a lime green at one time. I can't decide which is worse, red or lime green. __________________ "Betsy doesn't leak oil - she just marks her spot"

06-28-2010, 11:17 AM	#17
29ModelA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Owosso, MI Posts: 673	Re: Why red motors? Probably buying the Red 9N engine paint... __________________ 1929 Model A Barn find. California car, just a few more parts to find. Interior, steering box (rebuild), and I am sure much more!

06-28-2010, 11:34 AM	#18
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Why red motors? Two of my dual up draft intake manifolds are red, both are cast iron old stock. The Trojan was painted red the Uniflo (best) appears to be red porcelanized. The 7.1 Winfield heads were red. I think that red symbolizes speed. I still paint my engines Green. If I had one of the new 7.1 winfield aluminum heads I would have to paint it red. I have thought about it several times but I just can't bring myself to run an aluminum head.

06-30-2010, 09:09 AM	#19
Lee Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 14	Re: Why red motors? Sears exchange Model A engines were painted red.

06-30-2010, 09:20 AM	#20
Bruce Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 489	Re: Why red motors? Someone told me that the light green paint indicated that the engine was rebuilt by Montgomery Ward. I've had several and seen many more that were painted that "wrong" color. Actually, it is a pretty good indication that the rebuilder is proud of his/her work -- everybody will know if the job is less than great!