The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 Engine Paint Source

I checked previous postings but couldn't find anything that addreses this question: I'm rebuilding a '56 235 out of a Bel Air for my '50 AD. Does anyone know where I can buy the '56 235 engine paint (blue) in a rattle can? I don't have the ability to mix & spray and neither does the rebuilder. So it's the rattle can paint for me. I find stuff at AZ that is called "GM Blue" but doesn't look like the blue on the engine. Any ideas? Thanks!

Try tower paint at towerpaint.com Be sure to tell them it's a car or truck blue. I bought some of the gray/blue for a truck 235, and from I can tell, it's correct.

Have you tried NAPA or another parts store? My NAPA has a good selection on paints, some high temp. I got Chevy orange and like the color. I did notice some GM blue's and plenty of others. You might give em' a try.

Chevs of the 40's has it and I think Eastwood carries it too.

Why would you paint it the 56 color rather than the 50 color, since it's in a 1950 car?

It's going into a '50 Truck. The 235 came from a '56 car. The 216 that came out of the truck was red/orange, repainted years ago. I intend on painting the truck blue and didn't want a gray painted engine in a blue truck. From what I've found the proper engine color for a '50 is a gray. I just haven't been successful finding anyone who carries rattle paint that matches or even comes close to the blue. Figured someone had encountered this problem before.

Thanks for the help guys!

JSS, this has been discussed many times here and the conclusion that I have reached is as stated, the original color for a 1950, 216 was a very dark charcoal gray almost black. Chevy's of the 40's and The Filling Station. Any other color is your choice and not original......
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

The filling stations has the correct color, although rather expensive.

Ooops, Filling Station not stations

Here is a copy of an old article that lists engine years/sizes/colors. Unfortunately there is almost no information on what paint to buy (and we are left to our imagination in deciding what shades the colors refer to).

plasti-kote Engine enamel Chevrolet Blue NO. 201
available at most chain auto stores.Less then 4 bucks a can. As you said; GM Corporate Blue is incorrect.

I painted (with a brush) mine with POR15. A bit of prep and it has a tendency to sag. But everything I read on it was bulletproof.