What primer for the engine block and iron heads?

I was told by a few people to use self-etching primer on the block and iron heads. When I was at Summit I couldn't find any high-temp self-etching primer (I'm not even sure that's a thing). So I just grabbed a can of this high temp primer:



Any thoughts/recommendations?

Thanks,

Jim

 

Don't need high heat....just dupli color color green self etch....cold galvanized on the heads....will keep the paint from burning off

 

Thanks!

 

I am curious about this too for my project. My plan was going to try that epoxy 2kprimer from Eastwood?

And There’s a lot of threads about the best red but it seems like you can’t go wrong as long as I prep it right.. still undecided on the topcoat but either duplicolor or the Eastwood buick brush on or Eastwood 2k generic red

 

I'd use this (could be where Eastwood gets it - Idk):

https://www.hirschauto.com/mobile/ENGINE-ENAMEL/productinfo/EE-QUART/BUI RED LT/

 

I use VHT 2000 f, SP100 flat gray to prime block and heads.
If your color coat burns off on the exh ports with this they will not rust up and you can the easily touch up the color.

 

Bought and tried that with the Eastwood products and it still burned off within a month. Called Eastwood tech line and the guy said nothing they know of will last on the Buick exhaust ports. Got fed up with the look and made aluminum shields that fit over the contours of the visible areas on the heads and ports, painted them red and it lasted for a long time. now I have a set of TA sleeper heads and the paint does not burn off.

 

Spray cold galvanized on the heads...then paint..it will discolor a little but usually won't burn off

 

Cam break in is what gets the paint

 

I used two primers: VHT high temp engine enamel on the exhaust ports and SEM self etching on the rest. I used VHT Caliper paint on the exhaust ports and the old Krylon Buick red on the rest:

Reds matched very well:

 

Ahhh interesting thanks for the heads up. Did those TA heads come already painted from TA?

 

I did not purchase them directly from TA. But no they were not painted when I got them.