What color and what type of paint is used on the 235, 1955 1st series exhaust manifold? I'm pretty sure the intake manifold is painted engine grey. should it be a high temp paint? best way to clean them up? Roadking55
I used Rutland Stove Polish. Easy to apply, just wire brush the manifold, apply it with a tooth brush then wipe it off. As the engine runs, it bakes it in making the manifold look black. Lasts about a year before it needs to be reapplied. I bought it at Ace Hardware. Here is a [LINK].
Last edited by Gdads51; 02/09/20242:52 PM. Reason: fix link to Ace product
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
Blasted mine and hand rubbed Calyx in with a sock on my hand and refreshed it the same way once a year while on the engine. Always looked nice. Stove polish probably less expensive?
If you're building a points correct truck the manifolds were bolted onto the block before the engine got painted, so they would be engine color. Chevrolet only needed the paint to stay on until the truck was sold, after that it didn't matter to them. If that's not what you're building than the advise given above by the veterans works!
Mike B
Mike Boteler
1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod 1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep 1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo 1984 Jeep CJ7 +++++ Silver Spring, MD
On vehicles that where I've painted the exhaust manifolds, Bill Hirsch Manifold paint has served me well...it stays looking good for years and can be brushed on!