thoughts on painting an LSx motor...

[DCx]

im trying to figure out how im going to clean up my ls1. all my parts are sound but super dirty. the cast aluminum is a dingy dark gray color, especially the front cover and water pump.

so i got the idea of painting a few things to mimic penny's motor. my car is black so i will use black or dark charcoal color combos to break things up. i was thinking.

cast silver paint on the block and heads (that is if i don't get new heads)
black/charcoal valve covers
black/charcoal F body accessory brackets and tensioner
black pulleys (naturally)
cast silver alternator and power steering pump
black/charcoal thermostat housing
coated hooker long tubes
polished silver fast fuel rails (black fuel rails)
black an fittings (polished an fittings)
braided fuel line
and tiny bits of polished-ness like stainless bolts on the valley tray, front cover, coils, throttle body and what not.

along with that possibly painting the ls6 intake gloss black/charcoal, its dingy also. if i had the money i would get a fast 90/90 or a polished port matched BBK intake.

here is a pic of a painted LQ engine. too much silver in one shot but still way cleaner they my engine for sure.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

ive seen olly's engine in person and it really pops with the color matched paint job.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/08/39c1d783-1.jpg

i just dont want to make such an expensive swap look cheap by spray bombing it.

ideas? thoughts?

[CarlC]

I painted mine. I'll post pics in a few days.

[jonnyc]

i'm going to be painting mine in pontiac blue.see how many people notice its a ls1 not a 400.oh yeah,i'm doing a carb also.

i think painted motors look better.i would leave the heads natural aluminum color.

[trapin]

I'm still debating what I'm going to do with mine. That silver on the LQ engine looks great. The problem I'm having is figuring out how to clean up the aluminum parts to put paint on them so that the paint sticks. The only option I can imagine would be to have them light media blasted.

[DCx]

I'm still debating what I'm going to do with mine. That silver on the LQ engine looks great. The problem I'm having is figuring out how to clean up the aluminum parts to put paint on them so that the paint sticks. The only option I can imagine would be to have them light media blasted.

i sprayed some meguiars "hot rims" wheel cleaner on the side of my ls1 block and it cleaned it up really nice. when i pained my SBC i scrubbed the hell out of the block with all sorts or cleaners, never used any primer and just shot the hell out of it with some dupli color engine paint. it stuck so well that when i took the engine to the machine shop the hot tank didnt even phaze it much, so i painted over it again.

[CarlC]

Ditto. I used the acid-type wheel cleaners and the Duplicolor. The Duplicolor on the current installed engine is great.

[trapin]

Does Duplicolor make a cast aluminum color for painting engines?

[ponjohn]

How about this one, I saved it because i like the black paint on the block.

John

[CarlC]

The front accessory drive bracketry and thermostat housing are not done, plus some more detail will be added to the FRC's and other components.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[4MuscleMachines]

^^^All the engines above are very nice.
"Right click, save picture as..."

[streetk14]

The front accessory drive bracketry and thermostat housing are not done, plus some more detail will be added to the FRC's and other components.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Hey, that engine looks kind of familiar :)

Nice job on the paint and dress up, it has a nice classic look to it that I like. I also see that you went with the GTO engine covers. I may go that route as well, since my Vette covers turned out ok but not great. I'll send you a PM.

Andy

[CarlC]

There are no other FRC's out there that don't cost a fortune that I like and don't have the cut for the fuel line. The carbon fiber types are nice but I'd still have to significantly modify them to work, and if I screwed one up it would cause me great annoyance and displeasure.

The LH side is the more difficult side. Not only does it need to be trimmed to fit the bypass, but in stock form it sits too far forward. I cut the lower mounts off and epoxied them in a more aft location. The hose for the bypass holds the cover down. A small Z shaped brace mounted to the fuel rail mount and a piece of velco holds the right side.

Grinding the GTO out without damaging the surrounding plastic is not fun. I still had to spend several hours on each with bondo and primers to get them decent looking.

[MarkM66]

Carl, is this engine going into your Camaro? I didn't know you were changing engines. Just wanted a some more power, or did something happen to the old engine? What are the specs on this one?

[CarlC]

Mark,

The current engine is still in the car and runs fine. Very soon the entire engine and transmission assembly will be for sale.

Nothing real fancy. '02 LS1/T56 with LS7 clutch and a Magnuson supercharger. I've been wanting to do this swap since the LS series of engines came out, and Magnuson has been bugging me to do one since then. It should be a fun setup when completed, but there are the sure-to-come headaces to deal with. I'm also using as many OE parts as possible to keep maintenance easy.

[DCx]

hey carl the engine looks great. you did all that with spray bomb? looks so smooth. i think im going to stick with aluminum paint for the block and covers, black for the accessory brackets, and possibly exchange my valve covers for some chrome or polished ones from S&P.

that way coated headers, polished throttle body, and some polished valve covers will make the top of the engine pop. and as stated before ill leave the heads raw cast.

[joeljet]

i wish magnuson would bug me about putting a blower on my car.
been sitting by the phone for days now, still no call.

[CarlC]

Yup, Duplicolor. After having had aluminum engine components start looking bad after a short time I like to paint when possible. Cleanup and leak detection are easier as well.

Spending some time with a die grinder, a small disk grinder, and some files makes the engine appearance much better. Getting rid of the excess flashing and sharp edges also makes it much easier, and more pleasant, to shove your hands between engine components.

[DCx]

oh, dont tell me how i know. when i was removing the cam retainer plate my oily hands slipped and i cut my index finger bad on casting of the block.

i finally got a new engine crane and stand. my indian giving uncle decided to take his back from me after about 7 years of usage at a time when i needed it most.

on with the cleaning.

[DCx]

im waiting for the first coat of cast silver to dry on the block. i will post pics when im done.

i just painted the block. Ill do the front and rear covers later.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/09/paintedblock-1.jpg

[trapin]

Justin...what brand paint did you use?

Is it spray bomb?

[DCx]

sure is! i cleaned the block with meguiars "hot rims" wheel cleaner, and lightly rinsed the block with a hair stylist spray bottle.

that right there is 1/2 a can of dupli color cast aluminum "DE1650" 500 degree engine enamel. thats the only brand of paint i use, love the stuff. the silver comes out pretty thin until you get 2 coats on. I did three light coats and a final heavy coat.

the paint will fill in some of the casting and make the block smooth. never had a problem with it peeling or chipping. my SBC wears about 2 cans of chevy orange.... haha.

[BonzoHansen]

How does one prep & paint the composite intake?


Carl, your engine is silly nice. :woot:

[DCx]

im thinkin the same thing. my LS6 intake is a faded dingy color.

i read somewhere that you have to prep it with a light grit paper like 120 or smaller to smooth it out. then use plastic primer and paint. I would sure hate to mess up my intake.

[trapin]

Justin....lets see some pics of the finished engine. I imagine that you're done painting it now. I'd like to see how that Duplicolor came out.

[Lance-W]

How does one prep & paint the composite intake?


I am also very interested in doing this. Has anyone succesfully done this and had it last ???????

Thanks, Lance

[trapin]

Justin, did you finish with the paint?

[ctx97]

Have you looked into having the block, intake, etc powder colored to match the car?

[DCx]

ya know what, i got the cam, timing chain, and melling pump on it. found out the timing cover needed to be notched to clear the oil pump. so i start grinding and end up putting a tiny pin hole in my timing cover. i got another off ebay for $9. i need to prep it and grind it. i should have used some clay instead of eye balling it. i also need new hardware for the autokraft pan.

im way behind on my project.

[DCx]

here i am so far!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/10/oilpanandwaterpump-1.jpg

[4MuscleMachines]

Looks great! Now that's what I am doing to my crate engine, thanks for the info.

[trapin]

Damn. That paint looks good, Justin. I'll be picking up a few cans for mine here soon.

[jonnyc]

here are a couple of mine.almost done with it
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[trapin]

Interesting. That looks like Chevy Blue from the later Chevy engines. What's it going in?

[BonzoHansen]

Interesting. That looks like Chevy Blue from the later Chevy engines. What's it going in?
That is what I was thinking too. It is a bit lighter then the OE style blue I used in my 77, but I think mine is a hair too dark.

Man, that would look good in my 77. Yes, very good. May I have it? LOL

[trapin]

You know, I've pulled up this thread several times and Jonny's blue & black LS1 keeps looking better and better. I wouldn't do it on the car I have now cause it wouldn't look right but if I had a '78 Malibu or later 2nd gen I would definitely go with that scheme. That looks good.

[jonnyc]

it's pontiac blue.it's not that blue in person.it's going in my 69 bird.i was going to go with a carb setup and see how many people would know it was a ls1 and not pontiac.but after alot of thought i would rather have fi.but i still want the old school look.

[deviousz28]

How does one prep & paint the composite intake?

Degreaser, wash, sand, wash, sand, wash, dry, SEM prep solvant for plastic, SEM plastic primer, make sure the corners are not dry sprayed to much, if so lightly sand them back smooth, clean again, dry, then use SEM plastic paint, enjoy. Yes you must use SEM products. I don't own stock in the company, but they do make superior products for plastics.

Scott

[BonzoHansen]

LOL, great reply. thanks-

[SilverGhost]

I've done a crapload of these intakes at home both LS1, LS6, and a few FAST intakes as well.

I always take a dremel with a light grit sanding wheel and buzz off all the factory 'dimples' on top. Then I start with 220 or 400 grit and blend those areas and sand the whole intake. then i keep sanding the whole thing in steps at like 600, 1000, 1200, 1500, then 2000. like you are polishing aluminum or stainless but dry sandign instead of wet sanding like you would on the metal. degrease/brake clean the piss out of it and use a shop vac in the crevices to get the sanding junk out, etc.

I've gotten damn good with a rattle can. I use plastic primer and put a couple light coats on everything. plastic primer is thicker and wetter than normal primer so watch for dripping and bunching in obvious areas. of course mask the injector holes so you don't thicken those up and have a hard time getting injectors in there after you paint.

i let the primer sit for 24 hours or more in the right temp. Then spray the intake whatever color you are going for. let site for 24 hours or so. Then you can add a couple light coats of 500 degree clearcoat from the parts store. can wet sand that with 2000 grit after it cures if you want.

comes out nice.

here are some old ass pics of stuff i did a few years ago for myself and a few other people before I got better at it but gives you an idea.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/221661132wbZKpX?vhost=rides

little trick-if you are just looking to do it black and want it done pretty nice but nothing crazy just sand it down decent, clean it and spray it with duplicolor high gloss black engine block paint, you'll be amazed how nice it looks for the minimal effort.

[deviousz28]

Good write up.

Scott

[1969CamaroRS]

Try out Por-15, I used it on my block (BBC) and was *very* happy with it:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[bigtyme1]

ya know what, i got the cam, timing chain, and melling pump on it. found out the timing cover needed to be notched to clear the oil pump. so i start grinding and end up putting a tiny pin hole in my timing cover. i got another off ebay for $9. i need to prep it and grind it. i should have used some clay instead of eye balling it. i also need new hardware for the autokraft pan.

im way behind on my project.

How did you know the timing chain cover was hitting the oil pump? I did mine this week end and I saw the notice in the directions but everything seemed to fit fine. I used the SLP pump. Is there something I should look for?

[MoonMan]

I wanted to revive this old thread instead of asking the same question in a new one...the OP is three years old so I wanted to see if anyone had other suggestions.

I have my LS out of the car getting ready to do a cam swap. The engine has been sitting at my builders shop for mock ups and has gotten quite greyish in color. What do you all suggest for cleaning and painting? What about "de-burring" the valve covers?

[DCx]

i was using a melling oil pump along with a roll master double roller timing chain. you have to us thin metal spacers on the oil pump. i take it the SLP pump is just a ported ls6 model?

MoonMan

i used rim cleaner on my engine block and really helped out with the aluminum.

[spsengines]

Here are a few images of the painted engines that we have done from our SPSeries line. Also whenever you are painting an engine we'd suggest that you use a good etching primer.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Bilster]

For ultimate results, I would really consider one of the Eastwood translucent powder coating. That would be so cool over the aluminum.

[PT Sportwagon]

If I put a LS motor in the wagon I will be painting it Buick engine red. just need to get the motor so I can paint it.

Tim

[tommycomfort]

Great thread. The rusty gears in my head are really turning now...