Well, guess I'm getting easy in my old age! Ok, a few people have asked so here are a few details on what I did as for prep on the block.

The block was blasted after it was sonic tested. Then when I got it back from the machine shop I primed the block myself with spray can self etching primer by Dupli-color. Although it is not really a heat temp type of paint, what we have found is that as long as you put in on as light as possible, barely enough to cover the surface, it seems to hold up well.

Then, the key it seems with the Hirsh paint is to put the coats on light and to let the paint cure as LONG AS POSSIBLE BEFORE actually firing the engine. In fact if possible, let the engine sit for weeks/months and the paint holds up like you would not believe!

Also, we have never heated the block prior to painting and or during the painting process. I'm not sure what that might gain if anything at all.

Also, the Hirsh paint they say you do not have to reduce, however, it does NOT spray for crap if you do not reduce it and it does not hold up as well!!!! We have found that reducing it with Xelene(?) by one ounce to say 12 oz of paint works well. It almost seems the thinner the Hirsh paint is reduced, the better it sprays and the better it seems to hold up down the road as well.

The HVLP gun that I bought from Harbor Freight works exceptionally well. I will post a picture of it later. I know absolutely NOTHING about painting and I was able to get this thing to flow like a pro! Not only that but you only need 30lbs of air pressure and you get basically ZERO over spray in the air. I sprayed this motor 3 feet away from my LeMans and there was NOT ONE SPEC of over spray on the car anywhere! So definitely impressed with the whole experience.

Oh yeah, we JUST walked in the door from the Wide Track Warriors 20th Annual Car Show and the LeMans took 3rd in the 60-69 all Pontiac class. We were very pleased!