Hi Guys, I have been going back and fourth trying to figure out what I want to do about my engine color. I am building a new 350 and am almost ready to buy paint. The car is a red 70 skylark convertible with a tan top and tan interior. Right now the engine is a charcoal gray metallic with red valve covers, I want to change it when I swap motors over the winter. I am a fan of Buick motors being red, Ford motors being blue, etc. But I feel like with the car being red the motor will just kind of blend in? I watch all of these Velocity TV shows and I notice builders like Kindig will paint the motor to compliment the interior. I saw one episode where they did the motor a satin tan color to match the interior. It looked really good on that project but I just cant picture that in my Buick? any of you guys have an opinion, or have you seen or done your motors other than red? Better yet do you have any pictures of something that you really like? Thanks.
If it has the quality and custom touches of a Kindig build, it would look good. If it’s otherwise a stockish driver, I think it would look out of place. So why does Keith’s politics disqualify his opinion on engine color? I don’t remember that being a campaign issue for either party. Patrick
In my opinion i would say if its more of a driver than anything else i would go with a gloss black because it would look good With the car as well as it being easier to keep clean. If you went with a tan or lighter color it may be hard to match it with the interior and even be harder to keep clean. The tan could look cool if it was more of a high dollar show car. But if its more of a stock daily driver gloss black could work
Having been around the "car scene" since the 60s, one thing I have learned is there are "fads" and there are things with "staying power". Some of the paint jobs of the seventies really stood out in the day, and were the rage, but look very out of place in most venues, but there are a few folks that still like them. The trouble of repainting the engine, should you find it something you don't like a few years from now, vs the likelihood of Buick Red engine color being fine for the life of the car. All that said, you do what suits you cuz you are doing this for your enjoyment, and understand that if you "show" it, you are putting out the "Opinions Welcome" mat in front of your car, and you will catch the Negative Nancy's attention. I have seen some contrasting and complimentary colors, and many do look good, and some look bad. But, I like red, and if it were me, I would paint it red. If it were period correct for Nailhead green, (mid 60s) I like the look of that even on a non-nail, and especially what Edouard (elagache) has done with his "pesky billy-goat" wagon. (1965 Skylark longroof).
Just some personal differences between him and I. it was in bad taste for me to make it public. I ignore him on this board to avoid conflicts. But I do agree, it would need to be the quality type of build of a Kindig for it to look right.
I agree with you here, may just stick with Buick Red.. I do appreciate all the opinions...... This is why I ask.
The 430 in my Riv was painted black with chrome valve covers and a few other bling highlights. It looked great. However the 455 I am putting in this winter will be red.
Black will not fade if you accent it with another color like red. Red on the plug wires, a red wild cat sticker on the air cleaner, distributor cap,,, things like that
Its your car so your choice . What about Silver ?? I haven't seen many that way but if you want to be different than the Body Paint it might look cool
I did an engine in gloss black years ago and you are 100% correct. It would just kinda disappear unless you have a bunch of aluminum bits to make it "pop". Also makes spot potentially problematic leaks tougher. I don't recommend black, but that's just me. Personally I think red is perfect with a red car (I have a green car so I've almost got a Christmas theme!), But that's just me.
You are right sriley531 i completely didnt think of leak spotting at all lol i didnt mention it earlier but i do still like the idea of the buick red with the red exterior of the car.
When I installed a 350 in my '64 Skylark, I used the Nailhead green, but I was going for more of a period correct theme. To me it accents the engine nicely with black engine bay and air cleaner, pulleys, and fan, along with aluminum color of alternator, alternator bracket and power steering bracket. I get a lot of compliments, but it might look out of place in a '70.
