[Vid]

Getting ready to start my 455 build soon. However I’m completely on the fence about if I should paint my shiny, brand new aluminum heads and intake manifold with Pontiac metallic blue, or leave them “raw”.

What’s the general opinion? If I do paint them, am I going to wish that I didn’t, or is the topside easier to keep clean and maintain if it’s unfinished?

I’ve always been a “Hand-me-down, Craigslist used parts” kind of guy. Obviously I’m not used to these fancy brand new parts. I feel so spoiled! Oooooooo! Shiny objects hahaha


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[25stevem]

Both of those are much easier to clean off oil and antifreeze spills and other cap when they are bare should that be a consideration for you.

[punkin]

I'm keeping it as is natural. Motor, heads and all.

[jerry455]

I am painting all of my Edelbrock components, heads and intake, Pontiac Blue. I want it to look plain and unassuming. I want it to look like a stock 70's Firebird motor. I will be using the stock looking chrome valve covers on it also.

[ta man]

All owners preference...my engine bay looks like Summit racing and SD performance got dumped under the hood..buddy Andy's is more stealthy stock looking with paint and some hidden tricks.

[70GS455]

Originally Posted by jerry455

I am painting all of my Edelbrock components, heads and intake, Pontiac Blue. I want it to look plain and unassuming. I want it to look like a stock 70's Firebird motor. I will be using the stock looking chrome valve covers on it also.

Same. Mine looks almost stock, which is the desired effect

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[HoovDaddy]

If I spent that money on fancy parts, I'd want to show them off. At a regular cruise in, people won't give a second look at the blue parts. You can always paint them later.

[glhs#116]

I painted my Edelbrock round ports. But then I didn't install them as an upgrade. They went in after I dropped a valve on my passenger 197 head. I always wanted a stock looking engine bay so I painted them. Apart from the angled spark plugs they do look pretty stock. I also ground the Edelbrock marks off the casting.

Sam

[Holeshot71]

I would consider the environment the car is going to be stored in. If it’s going to be stored outside or in an area where there’s some moisture involved the bare aluminum will most likely take on some oxidation over time. If that were the case I would consider painting it Pontiac blue or maybe the Eastwood Aluma blast.

[AG]

Originally Posted by Holeshot71

I would consider the environment the car is going to be stored in. If it’s going to be stored outside or in an area where there’s some moisture involved the bare aluminum will most likely take on some oxidation over time. If that were the case I would consider painting it Pontiac blue or maybe the Eastwood Aluma blast.

I always paint aluminum intakes with high temp aluminum color paint to prevent oxidation and provide easy clean-up.

[OCMDGTO]

Another vote for painting the aluminum parts engine color. I painted mine and used stock valve covers for a sleeper look. It is definitely easier to clean oil, etc off of paint. I painted my old intake after it turned green but there's a lot of moisture in the air here. Shouldn't be a problem for you in the desert.

[67Fbird]

even if you paint them clear...you want to do something as mentioned the oxidation of white powdery crap takes its toll. FWIW the better the prep the better the paint will work! I am 100% anti-shine so I found that that a little scotchbrite and RUSTOLEUM flat bleck worked really well on my CHROME moroso valve covers, pulleys...etc.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by Vid

Getting ready to start my 455 build soon. However I’m completely on the fence about if I should paint my shiny, brand new aluminum heads and intake manifold with Pontiac metallic blue, or leave them “raw”.

What’s the general opinion? If I do paint them, am I going to wish that I didn’t, or is the topside easier to keep clean and maintain if it’s unfinished?

I’ve always been a “Hand-me-down, Craigslist used parts” kind of guy. Obviously I’m not used to these fancy brand new parts. I feel so spoiled! Oooooooo! Shiny objects hahaha


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all depends on the look you want for the engine, if you want stock appearing, paint them blue, if you want natural & shiny theres a few choices, leave them bare & try to keep them clean, but raw aluminum will oxidize & get a dull chalky white look after not too long, especially in humid climates or with winter storage that creates lots of condensation as spring warm up happens.

paint them aluminum color which can look pretty good & can also look pretty bad depending on the brand of paint & how its applied...

or do what ive done for 12+ years now with aluminum parts, paint them with engine paint clear, if prepped good & applied thin but full coverage they will look like new & for me have lasted for well over a decade & going strong on things like alum intakes, water pumps, valve covers, & misc accessories. on my recent E-head stroker engine i used the engine clear on the heads too & they still look like the day i painted them 6+ years ago with lots of street miles, drag strip runs & even dyno time, plus they live in a humid climate & winter storage. the aluminum doesnt get as hot as iron heads & even the ex ports havent burnt off or even turned yellow... when i look at other raw heads or intakes etc im glad i did it because they look terrible all chalky & dull IMO. i use rustoleum engine clear, not sure how other brands will hold up, but this stuff doesnt turn yellow like some clears can.

[Vid]

Originally Posted by AG

I always paint aluminum intakes with high temp aluminum color paint to prevent oxidation and provide easy clean-up.

I also thought about that VHT clear coat if the consensus was that painted parts clean up easier. On my ‘67 clone wagon, it seems like I was frequently having to touch up the engine paint especially over the exhaust ports.

So far from everyone’s insightful comments (which I greatly appreciate, thanks guys) I’m leaning toward unpainted. The block and a few minor parts will be sporting the team colors to represent, but maybe I’ll try leaving the aluminum be just to see how I like it. Couple of mock up photos attached. Still waiting on back ordered parts of course, especially my ARP main studs. Can’t do much without those.



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[Mike Davis]

Put me in the non-flashy group. I got tired of mine looking like every other engine out there. De-badged the heads and took all the billet off and painted it all, changed plug wires and cap........I think it looks cleaner and it is easier to keep clean. Doesn't show smudges or road dust as bad. Hose is off with no polishing all the aluminum.

Had a 8 second "looking" engine in a 9 second car
Now have a 11 second looking engine in a 9 second car

[65madgoat]

Painting the preference here for more original Pontiac engine bay look. 20+ years ago showing off new aluminum heads might have been cool....

Plus aluminum looks dingy after a while. If you really love the silver/raw look, I suggest you Cerakote the parts then that color.

But honestly your best bet I feel is to paint them the correct Pontiac blue.

[tjs72lemans]

Intakes are hard to keep clean. Especially if you ever have minor fuel leaks. It turns brown and is hard to get clean. The porous aluminum is tough to get the dirt out of the cavities. All aluminum for that matter gets dirt in the porous surface and looks dirty and is hard to keep clean. I can see a clearcoat filling in those low spots so residue can't fill them.

[25stevem]

Totally forgot that VHT makes I high temp clear that I have used on bare Aluminum, and it works very well.

[Holeshot71]

Originally Posted by AG

I always paint aluminum intakes with high temp aluminum color paint to prevent oxidation and provide easy clean-up.

Same here. Much easier to maintain and doesn’t yellow like some clears do. And when ever you take the intake off for anything, a quick clean and recoat and it’s like new again.
I should mention I’ve never tried painting aluminum heads with aluminum color, so can’t say how it holds up. Can’t imagine it’s ant different than the blue? Maybe someone that has will chime in?

[65madgoat]

Cerakote the aluminum parts (clear) and it will last forever.....


https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerako...clear-aluminum