I rarely post here but I read all the time as I muddle my way through restoring a '53 truck.
I have seen what I believe to be "original" paint on 3 or 4 engines and valve covers as I have looked for parts in this area (Northern AL) and, as much as I value the research that many on here have done, I am seeing something consistently "in the field" that still has me scratching my head.
To make a long story short, I have YET to see any 216 or 235 in this area w/ what appears to be any original paint, that is grey or dark grey.
EVERY one of them... as in ALL... of them are a LIGHT BLUE of a particular distinctive shade. I have one valve cover w/ paint still on it and I have matched that color to the Nth degree with Plasti-Kote's "Pontiac Blue" (hope ID'ing a product like that isn't forbidden on here, trust me I am NOT a paint rep LOL). If you remember the old Houston Oilers blue, that is just about "it" as well.
I have looked at many charts too and I see no clear references to any 216/235's having that color for '47-53 trucks, cars, etc. But that is what is on these engines!
In short, seeing this "ground truth" as much as I have, is making me really be tempted to use that color (plus I think it looks better and would look great w/ the yellow "Thrift master" stencilled on the valve cover). I am wanting a really 99.999% original "effect" and I have a definite lean at this point to the color I have seen.
Do you all know what color this is, and do you have any info?
Last edited by stoveboltgator; 12/08/2010 7:02 AM.
