The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Color of engine in ’52 3100?

I’m trying to decide what color I should paint my ‘59 235 in my ‘52 3100 and thought I would ask my fellow “Bolters” their opinions. It is now Chevy orange, which I am not really thrilled with, so I was thinking of gray, the original color of the 216. Were all engines in ‘52 gray or were there other colors? I’m Not trying to restore it to perfection but trying to keep it period correct, as much as possible.

What is your opinion?

Quite a bit of discussion about colors... Read this recent thread.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...ion-finishes-for-51-216.html#Post1369798

Personally, if I was to paint another 50's Chevy 6 I would choose Blue Oval blue.

Phil, Both 216s and 235s in '52 were painted the same color, the dark-ish gray as discussed in this forum, called blue-gray in the Tech Article at this link: Jim Carter's Tech Article - Engine Paint Colors by Model Year. This article has the best compilation of colors I've seen, although I would be interested to know if others have a additional sources. EDIT: Tim beat me to it - looks like the same or similar list, in a different article. Cheers!

FWIW, the '59 235 would not have been Chevy orange from the factory... either gray (trucks) or blue (cars). I would favor the older 216/235 gray, FWIW.

If you are after the '52 look, consider a '53 or earlier valve cover, with the two central hold down studs. Easy swap using the earlier-style studs to replace two of the later engine rocker assembly hold-down bolts, as you probably know.

Doug

Jim Carter makes reference to the original article written by Jim Henson (a copy of that original article is in my post above).

No 235 / 261 should be orange.

Being that the options for engine color in the 1/2 ton truck in 1952 was blue gray or blue gray, I think I stick with blue gray!

I didn’t realize that there had been such a discussion on the original color gray. I want to thank you all for your input.

Does the bell housing get painted the engine color or semi gloss black?

Phil,

Look at the engine gray color for Ford at any auto parts store...it is pretty close to one of the "blue gray" shades used by Chevrolet. Just don't tell any ardent Chevy guy as they may become unhinged. Most of the bellhousings I have seen were painted the same color as the engine.

I sure believe I see the remains of black on the bellhousing of my 216.

Engines got painted after the bell housings and it's dust covers were installed, so they would be engine color...

Mike B

Organbuilder.

Is you truck engine a USA Chevrolet or a Canadian Chevrolet?

It's a USA model, grown up in Austin, MN. I keep in touch with the family that owned it since about 1956, I have not heard that it has had the kind of work done to it that would require repainting. There was not a drop of grey paint left on the motor when I got it. But the housing is sitting in the shop now, and it looks like a little black paint here and there.
Karl

I am looking at the same question now and I will be choosing grey for the bell housing.