1950 Pontiac Engine Colour

Taylor55 · Poncho Master!

1950 Pontiac Engine Colour

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

There is a picture of a 1953 Flathead in the engine colour thread, its green. BUT I personally think grey is a good choice and do recall seeing early 50's engines painted grey. I also include a 52 Fleetleader feature car with some good engine shots , its a greyish green to my eye.

Engine Colours

52 Feature Car

-- Edited by 73SC on Monday 7th of July 2014 11:49:42 AM

Beaumont4008 · Uber Guru

This is a 50 also. Must have been a tough year to keep paint on.

This is a 52 . Like Ray said looks grey green.

Fitz · Guru

Most of the replacement motor available for a quick repair in that time was not painted. The car's engine number is not a good references, because those replacement car had not any number, the mechanics, sometimes, punch a number on the side block. Some replacement engine don't have any.

I do think, with the W write on the block, it's propably a replacement block. This identification was usefull for the engine shop shipping to the garage.

To me I would use green has the good color choice. Look at my rebuilt thread as a references if you want.

Just my 2 cents!

Fitz.

Taylor55 · Poncho Master!

Thanks for the input. The engine number on the block matches the engine number on the Metal v.i.n. tag on the firewall. I checked that first to make sure it is the original engine. This car still has all original parts including ,carburator ,distributor, generator, starter,water pump , all the bolt on items. I have a parts book and I checked the serial numbers from the id tags and all matched to original parts not replacement parts. I had the generator rebuilt even though I could have bought a rebuilt for around the same cost to keep the original and have the original id tag.All the generator needed was new brushes and new bolts where the wires attach to. There is absolutely no signs of any green paint on this engine and it is down to just the block and head. I removed all attaching parts looking for a paint colour and if it was painted GM used a very poor quality paint and it burned off very quickly. I agree with you about painting it green because when I have seen original unrestored Pontiacs of this era in the US at shows the engine is a green colour.The guy that owns the car likes the grey and he is going to use the car as a summertime cottage driver. I am just trying to preserve this car and make it safe. I have done all the brakes wheel cylinders, shoes etc. I also had the radiator and heater flushed and pressure checked and the shop verified to me the cores were the original honeycomb copper material. They are both very heavy. This is not a body off ground up resto as I convinced the owner it would not be worth his cost to do it to this 4 door because he would have to pay for everything as he does not have the ability to do the work himself. I checked your website you are doing a fantastic job on your Pontiac. I am going to get the owner to check out your website.

Thanks Al

Fitz · Guru

Just for the benefit of all member. The engine # is stamped ALSO under the top right front valve cover gasket! Most of the time, the thrut is there.

Fitz.

silver steak · Addicted!

Thanks Gentlemen

I am at this point also, my engine is ready to come off the frame and I have to decide just how far do I tear it down to make it mechanically correct?

My ID numbers match as mentioned above with the tag numbers on the fire wall, so I know mine is original.

The problem that I have is;

If I do a leak down test, how much leakages is acceptable?

If I remove the head, how much clearance is acceptable, 5,6,7, or .008" I don't have these answers.

Any help would be appreciated

Dale

Fitz · Guru

did you take a compression test? If you make a compression test and you are in spec. you don't need a leak test.

what clearance you are talking about?

Fitz.