Orange overspray on SB's

[MosportGreen66]

I would assume that the LT-1 did not have a significant amount of overspray on the intake manifold solely because the valve covers were not painted. I would see a nice overspray line on the intake of a car with a painted orange valve covers like the '65 L-78 or L-72 in our Corvette. But motors like the LT-1, L-79, DZ302 should not have much overspray. The areas like you mentioned, on the front and rear of the intake (north and south ends) but not on the sides.

Great pictures.

[Kurt S]

The mask used on non-painted valve covers and Al intakes engines covered the complete top of engine.
So there could be minor overspray at the front and rear, depending on the mask and the painter. But as Mosport says, there shouldn't be any on the intake sides. I've seen several L78's painted on the intake sides, they are wrong.

[Jacsey 70Z]

Marlin, This is a subject I've been looking into for quite a while. I live near Flint and know a guy that painted these engines for thirty years (now retired) he went into detail about what was on the engine at the time of painting. The only mask was on the valve covers, the intake got hit front and rear and at the end of the line there was a guy with siver pait and a brush touching up the intakes. I didn't touch my engine at all and have silver paint front and rear and several intake bolts.

[Xplantdad]

Wow...this is why this site is way too cool...

Thanks Jack for the great information!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Get out!! That's very cool info, never knew the sequence on the SB paint method - much less that they would silver up the overspray! Thx

[Jacsey 70Z]

Here's another cool thing I found, the spark plug wire stansions were painted on the engine after the valve covers were installed, brush marks on the cover. They were painted with a brush and the bolts are orange also, there is no paint where the brush couldn't get. I've seen this on all survivor LT1 just never saw this much paint on the valve cover, The passenger side valve cover is much neater job, maybe two different people one on each side.



This is a 4000 mile survivor 70 Z28 notice the Orange bolts and the paint on the intake.

[Mr70]

That's pretty interesting Jack.
Can you tell if your PCV Valve has #746C stamped along the side and is it tinted purple?

[SS427]

[ QUOTE ]
The mask used on non-painted valve covers and Al intakes engines covered the complete top of engine.
So there could be minor overspray at the front and rear, depending on the mask and the painter. But as Mosport says, there shouldn't be any on the intake sides. I've seen several L78's painted on the intake sides, they are wrong.

[/ QUOTE ]

Kurt,
No disrespect but I would like to hear John's take on this. I have inspected MANY survivor LS-6's and the overspray on the intake sides and valve cover lips was very obvious though very faint as well unlike the ends. I am currently restoring an X-drag LS-6 that had all it's original parts pulled off the engine and stored in a box when it was brand new and replaced with racing Day 2 parts. These valve covers clearly showed overspray on them as well as all the bolts and plates under the bolts. I do not believe I photographed them but will double check as the owner provided me with several hundred photos of the car and parts before he shipped the car to me and I think some of them showed it.

Again, I could be totally wrong but my research shows the contrary to the overspray. I would love to hear more about the assembly line procedures and see possible photos. This stuff is priceless and thanks again John.
Rick

[Xplantdad]

I agree John...keep it coming. There's nothing better than hearing it from someone who experienced it first hand. BTW, John sent me a write up on one of his former cars...stay tuned in the Members rides area...it's awesome!

[Kurt S]

Rick,
No problem. The info I posted is from pretty much from John. He doesn't frequent this board, so I had asked him to post cause he always has more details.
Here's a quote from him that clarifies the mask used:

"Both plants used a vacuum-formed plastic mask on aluminum intakes during painting..... Engines that also had aluminum or chrome valve covers used a similar mask that had "wings" on it that also masked the valve covers."