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rad shroud color

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tahoe healey

tahoe healey

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Understanding that the radiator shroud should be red, I have noticed many are black. Especially unrestored ones on Ebay. Many are rusting and show no red under the black. Could all these have been replacement radiators? Did any leave GB in black? I have scratched through the black on my BJ8 and found no red. Any comments on this as I am thinking of changing mine to red if it is the only way they left England.
TH
 
The only thing red is the fan guard on top -- semicircular sheet metal at the top above the fan.
 
When shopping at the Big Orange Box does anyone have a recomendation of what brand and color of red to purchase, also what color of yellow for the original fan on a BN2.
 
Any dark red (not orange red) gloss will do the trick. School Bus Yellow is a good fan color.
Randy
 
100 fan shrouds were painted black (as the radiator).

100-Six, 3000. The Fan shrouds were best described as gloss "chinese Red". This was brush applied over the black.

100 fan was painted a medium red, quite similar to Colorado Red. Securing bolts on most cars were painted red.

Through the early 3000 Mark I's were painted medium bright red (at least through the end of 1960), quite similar to Colorado Red.

All late 3000 Mark I,II and III fans were painted medium yellow. A reasonable approximation of this color is Plasti-Cote brand spray enamel called "Caterpillar Yellow". Securing bolts were zinc-plated and not painted.

Happy Healey Motoring!
Roger
 
Thanks, but not the question. I do not believe my radiator to be replaced or recored. I could be wrong about that 'cause I got no info from the PO. Any one out there with a total original with a black shroud (or guard)?
 
tahoe healey said:
Did any leave GB in black? I have scratched through the black on my BJ8 and found no red. Any comments on this as I am thinking of changing mine to red if it is the only way they left England.
TH
Click to expand...

Th, you have scratched through the black on your BJ8 and found no red. The red was hand painted over the black. The BJ8 shroulds did not leave the factory with black shroulds. They were all hand painted with a brush in red. My previous reply above was taken from the 2006 Edition, Originality Guide for Restroations and Registry Inspections. Austin Healey 100, 100-six, 3000 Models. Did that answer your question?
Roger
 
Your radiator may have not been recored or replaced but there's a good chance it has been to a radiator shop to be cleaned or repaired. They will almost always strip the paint and repaint it rattle-can black. The red wouldn't survive.

Marv J
 
Thanks Roger. I have all the books. It just seems too many are black. Marv, you may be right on the restoration of the rad, I am not able to get old info from the PO
 
Healeysince59 said:
Your radiator may have not been recored or replaced but there's a good chance it has been to a radiator shop to be cleaned or repaired. They will almost always strip the paint and repaint it rattle-can black. The red wouldn't survive.

Marv J
Click to expand...

I also believe this to be the case.
 
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