Engine Color Opinions

[Chiefburns]

I bought a 360 that I’m going to tinker with and probably drop in my Fishy over the winter and I’m struggling with what color to paint the engine before I put it in. It is blue now, but I really like hemi orange, but not sure either one would look good with the color of my car or what the car would have came with. The Slant that’s in it now is sorta the color of the car and I really don’t like that. Any thoughts or pictures to help me decide would be appreciated.

 

[33IMP]

For what it's worth, my 67 barracuda 273 is blue (medium blue, whatever it's called. )
I've had hemi orange big blocks, one of my big blocks was painted dark Ford blue, but that one got repainted turquoise. Turquoise is kinda hard paint to find, I think.
If I was putting a 360 (or 408) in my barracuda, I'd probably paint it medium blue, like my 273. Hemi orange is just a little too much like chevy orange to suit me.
But, here's my best answer. It's YOUR CAR! Paint it whatever color YOU want it. Just be aware some purists might not like it.

 

[Bodyperson]

I like the orange. Nothing says hi performance like orange. Car color is cool too. Been thinking about this myself. Beutiful car BTW.

 

[Demonx2]

Gotta go hemi orange....lol

Well, ok, there's really not all that much orange to even see. But still, orange it is for the win!!

 

[pearljam724]

The original engine color was Chrysler Blue. Dupont makes it in a spray can and it can be found at most automotive stores. I like the keep the engines original color. I paint my air cleaners Chevy Orange. Metallic silver is a nice engine color too. VHT makes a good quality metallic silver. I have seen yellow engines that look cool. Orange is my favorite.

 

[mbaird]

The original red would contrast nicely. And many people feel more comfortable buying a car that looks original.
Next engine I paint I will use a gun and a paint with a hardner.
I think it will pop for much longer. And even I can lay paint flat on an engine . Lol

 

[Professor Fate]

Since it's a '67, I'd go with the Industrial Red, which would be correct for your car. It just looks right.
(Photo pilfered from @Cuda Al)

 

[Johnny Mac]

If you aren't a concourse guy, my thoughts are black matches everything. I have had blue, orange, and red, and eventually they all started to look dingy from either surface rust, or dirt, or stains. Black just wipes off, and is easy to touch up. But I totally get it's not for purists. I also like how it offsets aluminum heads. But my car is also far from stock, and not everyone's cup of tea.

 

[barbee6043]

I am not a pure purist, but I would paint it a correct color for that year.
I admit I have never pondered if the engine was painted a different color, would it look better.

 

[85glht]

You answered your own question... "I really like hemi orange". There you go!!

 

[jeff alder]

Commando 273 red with the commando valve covers and the right air cleaner would look great with that color on your car with the black stripe.

 

[NoCar340]

The original engine color was Chrysler Blue. Dupont makes it in a spray can and it can be found at most automotive stores.

I believe you meant to say "Dupli-Color" rather than DuPont.

His original engine color was Chrysler red. I used Rust-Oleum Industrial International Harvester red on my '69, which is a bit more vivid than the original color. Blue didn't start as a low-perf engine paint color until 1970, and went across-the-board in '72 including the few MY1972 440 Six Pack engines built.

Chrysler Industrial red is a pretty good match to heat-tinged and faded original paint, but when brand new the red was brighter. The Axalta (DuPont) code for 1962-'69 red engine paint is 5092D; the PPG (Ditzler) code is 2136. At least, that's what the specialty restoration industry uses and sells for big bucks.

 

[Ant]

Red,
It is correct for the car and just looks good if you make it shine a little.

 

[Rob R]

Red...

 

[Bodyperson]

I like contrast. I’d probably go blue.

 

[Yunick13]

Go with gold, and have a Golden Commando.

 

[Belvedere2]

I like red in my '67. It identifies as a 318 rather than the '71 340 it presently has. The R1A 380 will do the same once it migrates into the engine bay hopefully next year.

 

[BrianT]

I went with red on my Dart because that would have been correct for that year. My buddy came over and sprayed it with his gun for the princely sum of a couple of beers. I used Eastwood's 2k Universal Red and their activator.