I just got my freshly rebuilt 455 longblock back from the machine shop and they painted it gloss black. I want to paint it an aluminum color. Would it be okay to just paint over the black or should I sand or do any prep work before I do so?

YOU CAN PUT A COAT OF ENGINE PRIMER OVER THE BLACK THAN PAINT IT SILVER

I've gotta respectfully disagree here. I have only known a few (emphasis on "few") machine shops that properly prepped the block before taking a rattle can to it.


Machine shops are notorious for oily air. Unless the mechanic/technician really cleaned that block and immediately painted it I'd be worried.

If the engine is out of the car and free from accessories and brackets, I'd spend three or four hours wheeling that paint right off of the block. Once I had bare metal I'd use a high temp engine primer and then hit it with silver paint.

I've had MUCH better results this way. And I am EXTREMELY picky about my engine compartments!

- Jake

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