The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 engine color for 1958

OK...I assumed that the correct engine color for my truck was the gray color there has been so much debate about but it turns out the original engine color for my '58 235 was almost an emerald green!

I know the complete history of this truck as it has been in my family for about 45 years and before that it belonged to our neighbor who bought it new. The engine has never been rebuilt and has never been out of the truck. After pressure washing the engine I can see traces of the original paint and it's definitely green not gray.

Does anyone know anything about this color and whether it is available in a high temp engine paint or if there is a close match available?

I do not know about an emerald green but here is a thread that discusses a 261 Alpine Green (in that thread is a link to some color shots).

Post your block casting number, if you would like to confirm the year and size of the engine

Tim

There's a Bolter over in the Paint forum who's up on paint codes... you might want to check with her

I haven't found it myself, yet, but red58 has posted a list of engine colors and applications in the past.

Here is an old list of engine codes. This list was supposedly made by a VCCA member based on VCCA information. However, more recent VCCA postings criticize some colors in this old list but offer no useful newer information.

Tim

Gentlemen,

Interestingly, when I cleaned the engine in my 58 3100, I found the original paint color in several places to be blue. It has never been out of the truck or repainted/touched up. Apparently there was quite a bit of variability in color choice as Old Gold has found out.

I saw a '59 Canadian 1/2 ton last year that had a green engine. It was a 261 that the owner claims was the stock and original motor. Maybe the same is true with yours?

I wasn't aware that the 261 was even available in the 1/2 ton. Who knows? Maybe in Canada?

You got me thinking though bigmacdaddy. Wouldn't that be something? Come to think of it I have never checked the casting numbers on the block and have always assumed it is a 235. I guess I should check that out. I know it's the original engine but if it turned out to be a 261 it wouldn't be the first unusual factory thing about it.

My guess is that they just ran out of the right color paint (whatever color that is!! Blue? Green? Gray?)

Thanks for your input on this gentlemen. Because this is a somewhat unusual truck I want to be absolutely authentic in bringing her back to exactly like she was when she left the factory.

Here's some additional information that is not really pertinent to this thread. Sorry.

A 261 engine (with mechanical lifters) was available as on option on 1500-9500 Canadian Chevrolet/GMC trucks in 1954.

What size is a Canadian 1500 (in USA truck terms)? 2 ton?

So if the 1954 Canadian Chevrolet/GMC Maintenance Manual is correct, then the 261 was available on large Canadian Chevrolet trucks and all Canadian GMC trucks in 1954 (as an optional engine).

Tim

If it is a 2 ton, then that would correspond with the 261 in USA trucks.
I do know that the 261 was available in 3/4 and 1 tons in '61 and '62. I had a shop teacher that had a '61 3/4 ton that had one.
BTW, the 235 in my '55 was originally blue, and the #s are correct for the application, original engine to the truck.