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TR4/4A Engine block color

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Kirk_Fisher

Kirk_Fisher

Jedi Hopeful
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I am almost finished with the flood restoration. I am going to paint the engine block and heads before final assembly. It is currently a deep red color. What is the original factory color?
 
So far as I know -- black. It is hard to tell what the original level of gloss was after 50 years of heat, oil, etc but some gloss seems about right to me - somewhere between satin and gloss.

Black is pretty much the same among the products available but gloss varies, sometimes expressed as a percentage.
 
I used semi-gloss on the block and gloss on the timing cover and pulleys. My TR4A is a '66 that I bought in '67 so I think it's very close to original.
 

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Gloss black, but if it does not come out real glossy don't worry since gloss black engine paint back in the 1960's was not as bright as some of todays gloss blacks. Gloss black back then was almost but not quite what we think of as a semi gloss today.

I used Rust-Oleum "Low Gloss Black" that I got from AutoZone on my TR4 engine.

Vila
1933 Chevrolet
1962 Triumph TR4
1984 BMW 633 CSi
 
The original is a sort of satin black finish. A lot of makers used thus color as it transfers heat from block quicker than most other colors. Also harder for MOT to see leaks on inspections.
 
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