Ford V8 Engine Color? Ford Gearbox Color?

[Mike Timoshyk]

rusty brown on top....some black smudges 'n black 'n dirty underneith

cheers

Mike

[Tony Smith]

And note too that references like Van Pelt's site are for US Civillan vehicles, which may or may not have relevance to Canadian Military practices, or even Cdn Ford in general. We know for certainty that there are many differences between particular year production between US Civvy trucks and CMPs.

[Jacques Reed]

Good Day All,

I know this subject has been thrashed to bits but thought I would just add these photos and thoughts on the subject as a matter of interest and further discussion.

Recently while In the process of tearing down my 1943 F15-A parts truck I noticed the transmission was painted a blue-grey colour. I know the transmission is definitely the original 1943 transmission for that truck based on the s/n stamped on it and ARN records.

I also note that a spare truck/stationary engine PCV intake manifold I have is a similar light blue-grey colour and so is a spare '46 truck block likewise blue-grey underneath the overpainted light grey paint. I note too a number of similar engines of the era on the internet, including one on MLU last year still in the original crate, away from fading, are blue-grey in colour and not a dark blue colour.

I am also assuming the engine and transmission would be installed in the truck as a single unit at assembly so there would be a possibility the unit would be painted as a whole beforehand and not individually. If that is the case, and the transmission is blue-grey, it would follow the engine is likewise that colour. I noted no paint on the mating surfaces of the transmission and bell housing nor overspray inside the bell housing indicating the assemblies had been painted individually. Even if painted individually, it would make sense to use the same paint for both rather than use two colours.

Most web sites and paint suppliers specify a dark blue colour for Ford V8 engines of this era which I find a bit unusual for CMP vehicles even allowing for deteriorating of the colour over the years. A transmission is well covered from sunlight and weather and not as exposed to as much heat as the engine. To go from a dark blue to a uniform blue-grey just over time does not seem plausible- unless it's a "These pigments will self-destruct in 50 years time" situation. Apologies to Mission Impossible.
I have not found a small patch of dark blue paint anywhere on these and other parts in even the tinniest protected nook or cranny.

As others have mentioned most Flathead Ford info is US based so perhaps it is possible Ford Canada opted for a lighter blue-grey engine/transmission color?

Will be interested to hear other thoughts on the subject.

Cheers,

[chris vickery]

The colour as posted in the last pic looks very much like the dark Ford green which had bled out. Often old CMPs appear yellow, when in fact the paint was originally OD or khaki.
I used Ford dark green on my 1941 Ford 12 cab as I found original traces of it.
I went with gloss black for ancillaries and chassis colour for transmission and tcase.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Jacques Reed

Good Day All,

Most web sites and paint suppliers specify a dark blue colour for Ford V8 engines of this era which I find a bit unusual for CMP vehicles even allowing for deteriorating of the colour over the years.

Will be interested to hear other thoughts on the subject.

Cheers,

Note that when period references are made to "a dark blue colour for Ford V8 engines", they are referring to the 221ci engine fitted to Ford Cars and Trucks up to 1946. The 239ci engine was referred to as the "Mercury engine", as this was fitted to Mercury Cars and Trucks (incl CMPs) from '39 onwards, and was painted dark green.

[Jacques Reed]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

Note that when period references are made to "a dark blue colour for Ford V8 engines", they are referring to the 221ci engine fitted to Ford Cars and Trucks up to 1946. The 239ci engine was referred to as the "Mercury engine", as this was fitted to Mercury Cars and Trucks (incl CMPs) from '39 onwards, and was painted dark green.

From Van Pelt Sales website USA

"As for original paint colors, the Ford and Mercury engines through 1940 were a dark green. Ford cars continued the color until 1942. Mercury engine had a dark blue color from 1941 thru 1948. Postwar Ford engines were dark blue thru 1948. Ford truck engines were generally the same as Ford cars during the years of this group".

So just another US take on engine colours from another respected source.

looking at my transmission more closely there could be a greenish tint to the grey colour. Once I remove it from the truck and give it a cleanup I will have a closer look to see if there is any Mercury Green anywhere. If it is, I will just have to believe green can leach out to a grey colour with time.

Cheers,

[Jacques Reed]

Good Day,

I finally removed and cleaned up the transmission from the Ford F15-A parts truck. Surprisingly there was a lot of original paint under all the grease and mud.

I am now almost certain it is the Ford Dark Green as Chris mentioned allowing for fading and paint deterioration over the years. My apologies to all for my skepticism.

On that basis I started searching for a supplier of it here in Australia. While searching I came upon photos of restored A Model Ford engines painted in a very close colour and depending on the supplier it is called Antique Ford Green or Vintage Ford Green. I contacted Henry's T, A and Rod Parts here in Victoria and they have it. Locally made and $35 for 500 ml.

As per the photo with a chip of it at the rear of the transmission it looks pretty close after making the allowances as mentioned.

I think I was getting confused with the Mercury Green nomenclature. The '49 to '53 Mercury engines were a light green and not the dark green of pre war Ford and Mercury engines. I remember those post war engines from my childhood.

So that's the colour it will be painted. It is nice to have some provenance from its serial number that it is a confirmed 1943 transmission from a F15-A and it appears to have only original paint on it.

Cheers,

[Ken Smith]

Good day Jacques,
Just as a matter of interest, what happens if you give a small patch of the green a hit with some cutting polish?
I think it will come up even closer to your chip.
Ken