Detailing Engine Mopar Turquoise - Specifically

[Ross Wooldridge]

On USA built cars in 66, the engines were typically painted prior to having accessories and their mounting brackets installed. Most of the brackets were blacked dipped (semi gloss), so your bracket is correct. Some of the AC compressor brackets and low pressure piping on the intake manifold were also often painted engine colour, but I've seen examples where they were black too. Throttle spring and trans linkage stuff were engine colour too.

Interestingly, most Canadian engines in 66 were assembled with all their accessories installed, so power steering pump and brackets plus alternator/AC bracketry were most often engine colour. Alternators and AC compressors were not painted engine colour of course.

Interestingly too, because they were assembled on a dedicated separate assembly sub-line, Canadian Police issue engines were not painted with accessories installed in my experience.

FWIW, these are just my observations, and are only related to 66 model year. Nothing is cast in stone!

 

[68PK21 440.6bbl]

Nothing is cast in stone!

My remembering of working on the Mopars back in the 70's & 80's is that the steel brackets were black, and I would say a anodized type flat/satin coating. Not paint and defiantly not shiny gloss paint. Ya couldn't scrape it off like paint, (parts washer). That aluminum bracket on the BB would be natural color IIRC, brackets like that whether Mopar, GM, or Ford were added on/assembled after the engine was painted.

 

[Verse]

What is the correct sheen for black air cleaner? 1966 that is.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

As far as I know, semi gloss black. Some will get into arguments about the level of semi gloss, but in my opinion, it's closer to gloss than flat.

 

[bluefury361]

I,ve always gone with 70% gloss black on engine brackets and accessories. Reduced with a flattner.
As for the turquoise engine paint. I think Bill Hersch's product is closest. But keep in mind, after several heat cycles the color will fade and change, just as the original did. Even finding a protected area the color has been effected by heat and age.

 

[Dsertdog]

After dunking for a couple hours in a mixture of de-greaser and water, the mystery bracket revealed the remnants of a black coating. So I shot it with Semi Gloss Ford black.

 

[Polara 500]

Thanks to all for the info. The 383 engine is red on my 1966. After reading articles that the standard for Mopar big blocks in 60's was turquoise, I thought mine could have been repainted, but doubted that due to the naturally aged look. Davea Lux comments (1/4/19) explain that red blocks were possible. Then last week when replacing fuel pump, seeing the inside of the block as same color red confirmed it's original paint color. Got Build Record Certificate from FCA four years ago, this car was built in Belvidere, Illinois plant, shipped to dealer in April 1966.

 

[cbarge]

Thanks to all for the info. The 383 engine is red on my 1966. After reading articles that the standard for Mopar big blocks in 60's was turquoise, I thought mine could have been repainted, but doubted that due to the naturally aged look. Davea Lux comments (1/4/19) explain that red blocks were possible. Then last week when replacing fuel pump, seeing the inside of the block as same color red confirmed it's original paint color. Got Build Record Certificate from FCA four years ago, this car was built in Belvidere, Illinois plant, shipped to dealer in April 1966.

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Never say never. A red 383 that was destined for the Canadian market installed in Belvidere? LOL!
Who knows..maybe the car was travelling in Canada and had a warranty block replaced??
Regardless,I would keep your engine red as part of the car's history--and mystery,LOL

 

[68PK21 440.6bbl]

Mab'be the guys in the engine paint shop were hung over cud'int be arsed to switch over the paint cup after a bunch of 318's came down the line.

 

[Polara 500]

Never say never. A red 383 that was destined for the Canadian market installed in Belvidere? LOL!
Who knows..maybe the car was travelling in Canada and had a warranty block replaced??
Regardless,I would keep your engine red as part of the car's history--and mystery,LOL

Definitely will cbarge, and that's a plausible explanation, as is
68PK21 440.6bbl's. The possibilities are endless in a high production factory back then, or thereafter!

 

[cbarge]

Definitely will cbarge, and that's a plausible explanation, as is
68PK21 440.6bbl's. The possibilities are endless in a high production factory back then, or thereafter!

Another plausible explanation is that one plant may be short of engines and another had a glut of engine and shipped them to get used up.

 

[It's better in a letter]

One more option for those not wanting to spend a $18 + shipping on Bill Hirsch paint....On my '62 Imperial 413 I'm using Duplicolor DE1618 Detroit Diesel Alpine Green..... its close to the Hirsch Paint....a little lighter and greener, but only about $7 a can. View attachment 279094

I have been a member of the 300 club for about 30 years. Great group of people with a vast amount of knowledge and willing to help. All are welcome to be members but only 300's are allowed and spoken of.

 

[It's better in a letter]

My explanation didn't come out quite right. It is not necessary to have a 300 to be a member of The Chrysler 300 Club Int. but only 300's can be discussed on the list server. Hope that is more clear.