Hi All,

just getting ready to paint my 400 engine block. I have the water pump and front cover on, soon going to install the oil pan and heads, and then paint all as one. The question I have is how to not paint the bolts? I bought an ARP black oxide bolt kit because I wanted to have the black bolts on blue and silver parts. I thought it would look good and it would be unique. But now I am realizing that it will be very hard to not paint the bolts with the rest of the engine. Does anyone have any tips? I was thinking that I could replace the bolts with regular bolts after I let the gasket sealer dry with the ARP bolts torqued. Or I would wrap all of the bolts with some frog tape, removing as many as I can.

What do you think? Oh, by the way, I am using the POR 15 engine enamel kit

 

I painted all the components individualy then bolted them all together.
I used ARP headbolts too.

 

I try to paint each part individually , i don't like seeing paint on the edges of the gaskets , but i have a couple that way.

 

Well now you tell me. I already put the water pump and front cover on. Guess I will setup the oil pan and heads somewhere so i can paint them and then let them dry. I will take most of the cover/pump bolts out and paint it on the block.

 

My block and heads were hot tanked so I sprayed a coat of primer on them before painting. The intake manifold was new and I sprayed a coat of primer on it too before painting.

 

Should I clearcoat my intake even if I am not painting it. It is an edelbrock performer aluminum intake.

 

Aluminum is porous so it will tend to absorb oils and other liquids, clearcoat might seal the surface and help keep that from happening.
I don't know how well clearcoat will stand up to the heat though.

 

Rustoleum makes a good (semi) high temp clear, been fine on mine so far...don't have any pictures to prove it, though. Just make sure the aluminum is very clean and light coats fer sure!

 

Hardware store will have cheap plastic caps for bolts...those make great paint covers ...