The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Original Engine Color / Stencil

To All:
I have a '52 3600 and would like to repaint the engine. What is the original paint scheme for the engine and was the valve cover stenciled?

Thanks in advance...

Jim

52 Chevy

You need to look for a post by Denny Graham about a month ago, page 3 of recent posts. I helped him with some photos which should help you. Dave

Hi Jim,
I'm not an expert here but I'll be glad to give you what I got. The 216 was a dark gray and I'm now convinced that I have the correct color, which I got in a rattle can from Chevs of the 40's. At first I though it was way to dark but the longer that you live with it the better it looks.
As far as the logo goes, there are a lot of conflicting opinions on how it was installed and I’ve probably heard from a dozen guys that claim their logos were original, even though they all look a little different. Homer believes the picture he sent me is original and it is a stencil forsure. How ever, when I analized mine it is my opinion that it was silk screened or printed with a stamp. I think the silk screening would have been the most practical and I am working on making the art work up so I can try that.
I stenciled mine on the VC that I have on my engine now but one of our generous members is sending me a spare cover and after I get it cleaned up and painted I’m going to do some experimenting with a silk screen.
I’ll let ya all know how it comes out.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

What color / # did you order from Chevs of the 40's...

Thanks,

Jim

has anyone talked to a sign painter or someone that restores old licence plates? they may have some ideas on restoring a valve cover since it's a raised surface from the stamping process. just a thought.

Jim, the number on the can is gp 8.800 pn986959S, 1929-1952 engine (gray).

micron, On the 216 Thrift Master valve cover it was not a rasised letter, that would make it super easy. there are two flat sufaces the have the two words in the logo, I believe, printed on them.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Jim,

I came across this picture of a restored "Thrift Master". The owner said the script is a decal he got at Jim Carters. Hope this helps.


http://www.speedprint.com/deves50/img/frameupresto/deves503100steps/11102002alg.jpg

Come on guys, we just spent the last three week discussing this very same thing in minute detail. I for one tain't goin through it again cuz there are hours and hours of replys on these decals.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Wrong. Now Denny my old uncle Jed told me my gray was the correct color and I got it from Jim Carter. I know your's is darker but that is that is what it looks like with years of aging, oil, dirt, and grim.

LOL, just too much fun with this topic, and I'm pushing the button on your rattle can.

Don

cany ta hand paint the logo ? if it is raised should be np? an would be better than a sticker ?

Right Don, I'm sure uncle Jed's color memory is as sharp as a tack. I guess I just like the years of aging, oil, dirt, and grim look better. I think they call it the resto-rust look.
Tim if ya had a real good picture of the original logo of course you could paint it by hand, but that has been the problem, no one seems to have a VC with the original logo in tact. Uncle Jed told them that he thought it was the original paint but after half a century who knows for sure. There was enough of mine left so I could see that it was not stenciled on and each word was written in a continuous script, not broken like a stencil. And once again, the decal may be fine for some guys and it looks nice and finished but it is not like the original lettering. I'm not an expert but I don't believe the lettering was embossed into the top of the Valve Covers until '53 or '54 when they started using the four side screws for the hold down. All of the 216 Thrift Masters were painted on the right side flat surfaces. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL