A Stupid Question...

[JustinP]

This is a stupid question, but here it goes:

Do people still paint the outside of their blocks with engine enamel when they get them back from the machinist after it has been acid dipped and stuff?

My dad will be helping me to rebuild my engine (he has built a lot of them, although no RB's) and is saying that i need to paint it to stop it oxidizing and looking like crap after I clean it and put it all back together, but I like the look of bare cast iron

If so what colour do people mostly use?

..... Thanks

[SiR_RB]

That's a stupid question

Lol

[JustinP]

I know that!!! I just want a quick answer from an experienced engine builder, then I want this topic to disappear

[R31Nismoid]

Well you certainly don't paint it before hand... Is what what you were askin?

Black is most common, however i hear hot pink is making a comeback

[Room42]

It's not a stupid question if you don't know the answer. The answer is black for its heat retarding properties. The opposite of this would be to chrome it which would raise temps significantly. I saw a ten degree celsius difference in operating temp on a 186hp (that's the engine name not the power) motor just by swapping a red rocker cover for a chrome one and vice versa.

[75coupe]

usually ford motors get painted blue and holden motors get painted red... Ive also seen ones painted yellow & orange...

[kitto]

Early nissan blocks were painted blue in the L series days.

All RBs were black out of the factory.

This is what gave the RB30 its famous "Nissan black motor" name amongst the Holden people back in the day.

Several coats of high temp engine enamel will be good.

[75coupe]

the black holden engine was also the high comp VK I6 as well....

[JustinP]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Will paint it black

[GTSBoy]

Well, black is good - it hides dirt and oil leaks etc. But if you would prefer to be easily able to spot oil leaks etc, then there is a case to be made for painting white or pale grey. If you like the bare cast iron look, then you could paint it a similar dark grey.

[djr81]

Early nissan blocks were painted blue in the L series days.

All RBs were black out of the factory.

This is what gave the RB30 its famous "Nissan black motor" name amongst the Holden people back in the day.

Several coats of high temp engine enamel will be good.

Yes they were occasionally referred to as such. In the Holden tradition of grey, red & blue motors which were painted, um, grey, red & blue.

Paint the thing whatever colour you like. The advantages of black are that it wont change colour when it gets hot & wont show oil/dirt/other crap so much. The advantage of hot pink is, in the main, that it matches your handbag. Mine does anyway.