[64speed]

Going with Edelbrock heads on my 64 Tempest and was wondering what people would think looked the best cause I am on the fence. Painted the proper egg shell blue color or bare? Rest of block is blue except water pump is aluminum and finned aluminum valve covers have been bead blasted for a matte finish.

[Sprocket]

I went bare with mine, and then I saw someone who had painted theirs and the paint looked fantastic on the aluminum. Now I wish I had painted mine.

[hgerhardt]

How about clear coat to keep them from turning gray? Mine still look like new after 19 years.

[Sprocket]

Originally Posted by hgerhardt

How about clear coat to keep them from turning gray? Mine still look like new after 19 years.

That sounds like a good idea.

[ta man]

All depends on ones build..I've seen some painted that look really good..and you have to look twice to realize they are aluminum..same with the intakes. I appreciate the stealthy look.

[cnc]

Painted ...then go the extra mile and make your own casting numbers on the centre ports with some jbweld or something ....people look more than twice....lol....I know someone here that actually took a tool can't remember what it was called to give it the cast textured look as well...

[Grand73Am]

Originally Posted by cnc

I know someone here that actually took a tool can't remember what it was called to give it the cast textured look as well...

I bet it was a "needle scaler".

[cnc]

[QUOTE=Grand73Am;5938070]I bet it was a "needle scaler".
That kinda sounds familiar...

[jeff chmura]

I like the bare look....Here is a pic of mine...... 461 KRE D ports.... Edelbrock 2x4's

[Torquewar]

I have had the bare head look for 10 yrs and finally did the painted look.. Like it..my engine is all blue.
The E- head script removed and yes i used the needle scaler. Results came out nice. Used the same treatment on the intake.
TA man and CNC seen the car many times.

[ponchjoe]

It all depends on the total look you are going for with your engine compartment in my opinion. Are you running an aluminum intake? If you are going for the stock sleeper look I’d paint all of it. If you are going with aftermarket valve covers, air cleaner, etc., I’d leave it all natural to show it off.

[NeighborsComplaint]

Painted looks great until the paint burns off the exhaust ports. Clear coat will burn off too. Leave them bare.

[Bob with the 66]

Originally Posted by 64speed

Going with Edelbrock heads on my 64 Tempest and was wondering what people would think looked the best cause I am on the fence. Painted the proper egg shell blue color or bare? Rest of block is blue except water pump is aluminum and finned aluminum valve covers have been bead blasted for a matte finish.

With finned covers, leave them natural.

[Tim Corcoran]

Painted if you want the engine to appear factory stock, otherwise bare

[track73]

To make a cast iron look on a 400 Chevy block I changed to 010, I used thinned "painted"JB Weld and matted it with 0000 steel wool.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by NeighborsComplaint

Painted looks great until the paint burns off the exhaust ports. Clear coat will burn off too. Leave them bare.

high temp engine clear will not burn off the heads or the exhaust ports on aluminum heads. it doesn't yellow either & is pretty resistant to oil & fuel. a standard clear automotive body paint will of course burn off, but not the engine paint clears i have used.

i have e-heads & decided to clear them because i hate the chalky corroded look aluminum parts get after a short time... mine look like the day i did them after 5 years with dyno time, lots of drag strip runs & street miles. i also use it on aluminum intakes, valve covers, & other small parts under the hood. first set of valve covers i did 10 years ago still look like new!

just use a couple thin coats, not thick coats & it lasts very long & is easy to touch up if needed. ive also used the aluminum color engine paint & it lasts just as long as the clear on these kinds of parts... for iron heads, any paint will burn off the ports eventually & most very quick.