Engine colors

[darrin502]

I am restoring 2 Darrins and am putting the original engines in. Can someone tell me what gets painted dark green, and what is black.
I think the block, head, bell housing and transmission are green.
The timing cover, front mount, rocker cover, oil pan, lifter covers are black.
Is this right, did I miss anything?
Thanks
Lee

[joefrazer]

Dark green:
Block
Head
Bell housing
Transmission
Lifter covers
Oil Pan
Front adapter plate (front engine mount)
Dip stick
Water pump
Water pump pulley
Thermostat housing
Generator brackets
Timing gear cover
Harmonic balancer

Black:
Valve cover
Oil cap
Air cleaner
Fan
Distributor
Spark plug wire looms
Starter
Generator

Natural color:
Exhaust manifold
Vacuum advance
Vacuum line from advance to distributor
Fuel line
Heater tube from water pump
Fuel pump
Heater hose adapter pipe and shut off valve

I've seen the throttle linkage painted black and I've seen it in natural color as well - both on original cars. The jury is out on that one.

[darrin502]

Thanks
Lee

[Terry T]

generator brackets are black because...

I  do not logicallly think that they would have been installed on the engine block when it was painted

[joefrazer]

Well, I need to respectfully disagree. I've torn down many a KF and Willys engine and in every one, the generator mount brackets were painted engine color. The rear bracket was attached and it and the bolts were painted engine color. The front bracket and bolt (thru the water pump) were also painted but not tightened until the generator was attached. So, that bracket hung loose.

There's a factory photo illustrating this in the Last Onslaught. It's attached here.

[Fid]

I believe you posted this info on here before joefrazer. I was surprised to learn this but I know that coming from you, it is credible so if do any more under-the-hood detailing I will take this into consideration.  Thanks

[MarkH]

Well, I need to respectfully disagree. I've torn down many a KF and Willys engine and in every one, the generator mount brackets were painted engine color. The rear bracket was attached and it and the bolts were painted engine color. The front bracket and bolt (thru the water pump) were also painted but not tightened until the generator was attached. So, that bracket hung loose.

There's a factory photo illustrating this in the Last Onslaught. It's attached here.

To intrude a bit into the Darrin thread.......... were the Willys engines you tore down painted in the same manner as Darrin engines?

[joefrazer]

Yes, the Willys engines were painted the same way.

[MarkH]

     Thanks!         

[Fid]

I found these among some parts I acquired from  my dad last winter.  It's not real clear in the pictures but you can see remnants of green paint on all three of them.

[pinetintgreen]

I am glad that I read this thread. The Darrin transmission was originally painted the same color as the engine block? I assumed (incorrectly) that it was painted some sort of silver color and that the bell housing was green?