Is there an offical paint color for a 1939 plymouth engine other than silver? If so what is it?
Jack Gallagher
Bethesda, Md.
Many Plymouth engines of this era (pre war) were black with the head painted aluminum. Some were all aluminum. If you are into points judging, those are your options. Accessories were always black.
However
In my own cars, I have painted the engines with a silver body colour such as Volare /Aspen Pewter gray Metallic. Looks better than Aluminum and acrylic enamel adheres to the block just fine. It is also easy to clean.
Rebuilders such as franchised Chrysler Method shops painted the engines metallic blue. Export models as found in Australia and New Zealand had green engines. In 1941, Chrysler engines could be red.
Thanks for the reply - you're saying I have a 50 - 50 shot of aluminium or black to be correct? I'd like to pin it down a little closer. JNG
Quote from: g6001 on October 20, 2010, 08:16:36 AM
Thanks for the reply - you're saying I have a 50 - 50 shot of aluminium or black to be correct? I'd like to pin it down a little closer. JNG
39 would be silver. The black block with silver head was 1936 and earlier. See: http://www.ply33.com/Backmatter/EngineColor for my take on it.
There are judging forms on the main part of this web site that I would hope would cover this too.
From the posted judging guide on this site.
"All 1928-59 cylinder heads shall be silver except high compression. Some high compression heads are
not painted red. All 1928-59 electrical accessories shall be black. Vacuum advance units, carburetors
and fuel pumps shall be the natural ?as cast? color. Fuel, oil and vacuum lines were generally a natural
color but may be black. Intake manifolds of 1928-34 models shall be black while 1935-59 may be black
or silver. Cylinder blocks, timing case covers, and clutch housings of 1928-34 shall be black. Generally
1935-59 models used silver on the above three places although black will be allowed. Research has
shown that some 1935-1941 engines can have blocks as cast finish."
That sounds like your 39 should be silver but could be black and not loose points.
Thanks Jim for your response. The engine is silver but I had heard some discussions of alternate colors so I wanted to verify. I appreciate you taking the time to post the response. JNG