I have a friend with a '69 Firebird that he is looking to paint his engine. Currently it is a darker blue. He is having a hard time finding the appropriate Pontiac blue. The latest can he picked up doesn't look correct either. I know some of you have recently painted motors, can anyone reccomend a brand and color name that is pretty close?

Check this out: https://firstgenfirebird.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=217913&page=1

Bill Hirsch Engine Paint for me.

http://www.hirschauto.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EEA-SPRAY

If you use the Bill Hirsch Engine Paint, do you still need to use a primer? If so, what kind of primer? Thxs.

I used the Hirsch paint. I called them and they recommend primer on the steel parts and to spray directly on the cast iron. They also recommend 2 weeks dry time before starting.

Best to read the instructions or even call them on some of the best practices.

2 thumbs up on the Hirsch paint.

That is a beautiful motor rohrt....

Duplicolor D1616
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I used the Duplicolor last time and PlastiKote 227 This time around. That's what happened to be on the self at the parts store. Seemed identical to me.

Hirsch, Pontiac blue , for appropriate year...

Where can I get high temperature primer? Autozone sells high temperature engine paint and the directions say to use hight temperature primer, but they don't appear to sell it. I checked at ACE and they don't have it either.

Duplicolor Engine Primer can be found at the auto store. Problem is that the can is poorly marked so you'll need to turn it around and read the tiny little lettering for "Primer"

I didnt primer mine, as far as I heard , the thinner you paint on heads the better it holds up,.....

VHT has a high temp primer. Not sure where you can get it other than Summit and the like though.

Found it at AdvanceAuto. It's the Duplicolor high temperature gray engine paint. On the back of the can it had a sticker that said 'primer'.

I have documented the 3 bottles you can get, primer, eng paint and clear coat. see link
https://firstgenfirebird.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=238274&page=1

What do you think looks better, painting the timing chain cover, water pump, and harmonic balancer Pontiac blue like to match the block, heads, and intake or contrast by painting them silver, gray, or black? I noticed there was a lot of grease and dirt down low (balencer, etc.)as well as dirt and grime from the power steering pump leaking.

I swear the original 67-69 factory engine paint has a touch more green and less silver then current formulated paint - that is supposed to match to the original 67 -69 color. I'm in the starting phase of restoring a '69 400 H/T and I really want to get the engine color back to a true original shade. I own a painting company (Houses) and there are ways to scan colors to work out the formulations to match. I plan to attempt this with the engine when it's time to paint. Just not sure where I'm gonna find a heat paint that will withstand the test of time and match the original color.

Does anyone agree, the color claimed to be the correct engine 67-69 paint formula today is not the same as the original shade?

The engine paint turns "green" with heat and age. I doubt that any formula is exact to GM formulas? Personally I have had good luck with DE1616 and am currently restoring my OHC motor (parts) and paint.