Flathead Colour

[andrew honychurch]

OK, well as predicted this will run and run. So basically, you have a choice, and I have chosen Ford Blue! Why, because I like it. The black is very smart but wont give the definition between the flat black of the Dynamo, starter, carburettor body etc. So blue it is. I hesitate to post this photo for fear of being told it is wrong, but please remember it is still wet when I took the photo and of course it is a photo so not necessarily an accurate depiction. It is however, Ford engine blue from US paint manaufacturer POR. It will look very smart I hope. Not disimilar to David Gordon engine colour either and very close to the NOS inlet manifold I bought, pre fading.

[Lynn Eades]

Yes it does go on. I have just re visited the Vanpelt site (American)again.
It states, about colours, that Ford and Merc engines, through 1940 to 1942 were dark green. Then it said Merc engines were dark blue from 1941 to 1948.(one contradicts the other) Post war Fords were blue, and that truck engine paint colours generally were the same as car engines. I imagine in the U.K. that at times there were issues with supply of paint pigments, along with every thing else, and that the power unit colours were not always one colour.
I guess if one is really embarassed about the colour, then they could always leave the engine covers on
Ps. From a mechanics point of veiw,black is the worst possible colour because you cannot see anything. Its just a black hole, and you cant see any faults. Yellow is great! but for a carrier Blue or Green is bang on!

[andrew honychurch]

thanks!! I feel somewhat better after that. Now all I want is the paint to cure, and as the temperature in my workshop has now fallen to 3 degrees I may be waiting until Spring for it to go off!

[Lynn Eades]

While you wife is out, stick it in the oven with the door open just to warm it a bit.

[RichardT10829]

good advice from Lynn... i used the family baking booth to do my brake expanders, gently warmed them up then sprayed the paint on what a lovely finish.

Andrew if folk were to criticise you for a blue paint.... i will get stoned to death for painting mine in Grey i see the engine (in the words of chip foose) as the jewel in the box...no truer word spoken in the case of a carrier... i feel the internals of the engine bay should have been painted white as per modern MV's. i used to paint all my rally x engine bays white.... yes they get dirty quicker but at least you see problems like oil leaks, minor fluid leaks etc etc sooner.

[andrew honychurch]

I couldnt get away with using the over sadly, but I did find a big gas heater and have put that in the workshop. Seemed to work a treat. Now cleaned the exhaust manifolds and painted them in some Frost automotive special paint which smelt foul In fact I feel quite queesy after applying it even though I put a mask on. They look good however! I am happy with the paint colour. And I am sure Ford did paint Mercurys in this colour from all we have hears and seen. Anyway, it looks great so thats what counts! Certainly black was going to be a bit dull and as already said not good for seeing the oil leaks, not that I am expecting any!!!!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Cross reference to Ford V8 Engine Color? Ford Gearbox Color?.

I merged several related threads on this subject. As for now I am keeping Carriers and Trucks apart, until someone can prove they were painted the same colours. Question: why would they not be?

H.