Correct FE Engine color

[KevinW]

For originality sake, anyone know what color I should have my block painted....Blue (what color/shade???) or black.

Ive heard conflicting stories of what is 'correct' for an S/C.
I rather like a medium Blue.... but thought best seek advice from the Cob collective first.

[kgs365]

i believe black is correct for 1965 and blue for 1966 etc...

[mickmate]

I think it's black with a crayon X from QC.

[cscobra]

kgs365 is correct--black for 1965, Ford Corporate Blue for 1966 on.

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by KevinW

Ive heard conflicting stories of what is 'correct' for an S/C.

Depends on what level of insanity you want for your replica.

Yes it's true....1965 = black block 1966+ = corp blue block.

But...hmmm, "for an S/C"

I don't think any S/C's were sold in 1965...they all were sold in 1966 and up.

Full Comps were sold in 1965.

I would give ya a mulligan on a black block if your S/C replica was modeling an early sale-date version.

But the survey says... blue for the most of them, as out the door.

[KevinM]

The normally accepted blue for concours restorations is Duplicolor Dark Ford Blue #1606.

Kevin

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by KevinM

The normally accepted blue for concours restorations is Duplicolor Dark Ford Blue #1606.

Kevin

Concours restorations of what type of car?

[KevinW]

>Duplicolor Dark Ford Blue #1606.

I think I got my answer, and its the one I wanted.

cheers t'y'all!


.... and ive now also learnt what a PGA mulligan is

[KevinM]

Ron,

I should have clarified that. It's considered correct for mid to late 60's Mustangs. I would expect it would apply to any Ford from that time period since they all used the same engines.

I was trying to keep the answer simple and to the point. I have, in fact, seen some original 60's Fords where the engine clearly was painted a lighter shade of blue. Not sure what the story is behind that.

Kevin

[601HP]

I chose black and still prefer it, but......FWIW - it sure makes tracing leaks a PITA. And the engine compartment, especially from underneath is very dark. Even with a shop light there are a lot of shadows.

David

[Bruce Robles]

'65 Sideoilers were black, 427 SC's were '65 comp cars never sold and converted to street use. Hence the letters SC. SC means Semi Competition or some say Street Competition. All original SC's had Sideoiler blocks and were/are Black. If your build has sidepipes, hood scoop, roll bar,etc. to replicate an SC then your engine should be BLACK. Later built full on street Cobras delivered with the 428 with 2 4 barrel carbs might have been blue, but since they were still called 427's I'm pretty sure Shelby kept the color Black as far as I can recall.
65 GT350's had black blocks, and then changed to blue in '66 and after.
GT500's in '67 and after were 428's and were blue also.

[Mark IV]

Ford "Corporate Blue" became the standard engine color for all Fords (US) in 1966. Prviously most all blocks were black and valve covers/air cleaners were a contrasting color to I.D. the engine, i.e. lo po 289s had light blue VC and AC while the "Challenger 289" had gold.

If the S/C engines came down an engine line after November 1965 they likely would have been blue. if they were existing engines they would be black.

[Bill Bess]

I was told by Bill Parham (Southern Automotive) that , "Carrol Shelby never painted an FE ANY COLOR BUT BLACK".

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by Bill Bess

I was told by Bill Parham (Southern Automotive) that , "Carrol Shelby never painted an FE ANY COLOR BUT BLACK".

(sigh)... safe bet that Carroll never painted an engine himself...period.

[Michael4yah]

Originally Posted by kgs365

i believe black is correct for 1965 and blue for 1966 etc...

In 1968 had a 1964 427 Custom and the block color was black.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Bill Bess

I was told by Bill Parham (Southern Automotive) that , "Carrol Shelby never painted an FE ANY COLOR BUT BLACK".

I would postulate that Carroll Shelby never painted an FE ANY color!

And to elaborate, I don't think anyone at Shelby American circa 1965-67 painted engines as they came from Ford. The "dressed" engines were painted at the engine plant (Lima, Windsor, Cleveland, Podunk, etc.)

[KevinW]

well, right or wrong, im going blue, it is a 428 block, so its kinda right.

[601HP]

Originally Posted by KevinW

well, right or wrong, im going blue, it is a 428 block, so its kinda right.

Either is OK. Chevrolet orange would be the ultimate no no.

[LMH]

Not to through a wrench into the works but the block on CSX3002 is blue. And you can't get much earlier in production than that.
Larry

[Michael4yah]

""Not to through a wrench into the works but the block on CSX3002 is blue. And you can't get much earlier in production than that.
Larry""
Maybe you should check for overspray.