[GTOLou]

Anyone got a pretty original 76 TA engine w/ pics or one that is restored?




1) Were the valve covers chrome or painted originally?



Don't know if it matters - car I'm working on has a 455. I think I found a decent supplier for the correct color for a 76 engine.

[Lloyd-TX]

Here you go, all you ever needed to know about Pontiac engine colors.

http://fiedlerh.home.att.net/enginecolor.htm

By the way, that pic of the '75 - early '77 engine color shows chromed rocker covers - that's incorrect. They should be sprayed the same color as the rest of the engine.

[GTOLou]

They should be sprayed the same color as the rest of the engine.





Thanks, thats what I need to know.

[superdutybob]

Lou:


Bill Hirsch makes the best paint for the 75-76 engine color. I tech cars at the T/A Nationals so I get to see them all. All the best cars seem to use Bill's paint. As stated above by Lloyd, who knows everything, valve covers are painted engine color. Chrome covers went away after the 70 model year and did not return until the 77 W72 engines.

HTH!

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by superdutybob

As stated above by Lloyd, who knows everything, valve covers are painted engine color.

Thanks, Bob, but I darned sure don't know everything - maybe 10%, LOL!

Most of what I do know - I learned right here!

[Mark C.]

I used Hirsch paint on my 76. Perfect match. The valve covers are the original factory paint. I did not paint them. I merely used to keep the paint off of the valve train. I highly recomend it. Plus Bill was a great guy to deal with.

[Lloyd-TX]

Looks nice, Mark!

[superdutybob]

What did I tell ya?

Bill Hirsch is the man when it comes to that color engine paint!

[Mark C.]

Thanks Lloyd.

The heads aren't quite as shiny anymore. You know when you run a Pontiac, what happens to the paint on the heads. But boy is sure is fun burnin' it off.