Best Engine Paint for 3B Block

[Gub67]

I have purchased a 3B engine for my 40. I want to clean and paint the block. What is the best paint to use? Regarding color, what are its original options? My 40 is 1981. The engine came out of a 1988 70 series LC. If you have painted a block before, please feel free to walk me through the best practice steps for painting it. Thanks.

 

[VPP]

I have purchased a 3B engine for my 40. I want to clean and paint the block. What is the best paint to use? Regarding color, what are its original options? My 40 is 1981. The engine came out of a 1988 70 series LC. If you have painted a block before, please feel free to walk me through the best practice steps for painting it. Thanks.

If you want to keep the engine paint from showing rust after awhile, use rust-oleum 7769 for rusty metal as your base coat, then paint the engine any color you want. Other than black, I don't know what colors were used. If you do decide to use 7769, paint it on, let it setup for 15-20 minutes, then apply your top coat, that will merge the paints leaving the top coat it's original color and prevent any pealing of the top coat paint. Apply this method to a piece of metal before painting the engine to ensure the paints are compatible. Let set for a good week to allow chemicals/oils to evaporate and harden the paints.

For a nice looking exhaust manifold, use manifold paint such as Calyx https://www.eastwood.com/calyx-manifold-coating-3-oz.html

 

[Gub67]

If you want to keep the engine paint from showing rust after awhile, use rust-oleum 7769 for rusty metal as your base coat, then paint the engine any color you want. Other than black, I don't know what colors were used. If you do decide to use 7769, paint it on, let it setup for 15-20 minutes, then apply your top coat, that will merge the paints leaving the top coat it's original color and prevent any pealing of the top coat paint. Apply this method to a piece of metal before painting the engine to ensure the paints are compatible. Let set for a good week to allow chemicals/oils to evaporate and harden the paints.

For a nice looking exhaust manifold, use manifold paint such as Calyx https://www.eastwood.com/calyx-manifold-coating-3-oz.html

Thank your. Great information!

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

As always, preparation is the key. How are you preparing the block? Will it be taken out of the vehicle?

If you want the paint to last, you want to degrease it, wire brush it down and remove all rust with a rust remover solution (citric/phosphoric acid).

3Bs had a dark grey colour from approximately 1980 until 1988, blue from 1988 onwards.

 

[Gub67]

As always, preparation is the key. How are you preparing the block? Will it be taken out of the vehicle?

If you want the paint to last, you want to degrease it, wire brush it down and remove all rust with a rust remover solution (citric/phosphoric acid).

3Bs had a dark grey colour from approximately 1980 until 1988, blue from 1988 onwards.

The engine is out. It would be interesting if someone could chime in on the specific dark grey paint color you mention

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

The engine is out. It would be interesting if someone could chime in on the specific dark grey paint color you mention

Try searching the site; plenty of people have restored the engines.