Hi all, I am in the process of rebuilding the 351 for my 1976 F100 and wanted to paint it factory colors. Is anyone able to tell me which parts were painted which colors, and if you had a photo as evidence that would be outstanding!

I am assuming the block was 'Ford Blue', but I'm unsure as to which of the extra bits like water pump etc. were painted with it. Also, the rocker covers and air cleaner, which color were they?

Thanks,
James

 

I found that Dupli-color makes a color called Old Ford Blue. I rebuilt a 351m and just used Dark Ford Blue and it looked ok at the time but I recently rebuilt a 390 and used the Old Ford Blue and it looks like a better shade. It looks more like a factory color in my truck.

 

This is Krylon Ford Dark Blue.

 

Thanks for the input. Those rocker covers and air cleaner in blue, that's factory?

 

yes. back in the day when you opened the hood of these trucks, and most Ford vehicles you were overwhelmed with blue.

I have a couple of pair of valve covers sitting in my garage with the original blue paint on them.

some of the early mustangs used gold in the valve covers.

 

Krylon #1923, Dupli-Color #1606 and Plasti-Kote #224 are a few of the rattle can paints closest in color.

Personally i think Plasti-Kote #224 is the closest in color to the original "Ford corporate blue".

But any of the three would be an excellent choice.

 

Thanks very much for all your input. Blue it is then!

 

i tried every blue out there when i did my 68 cougar. i had good original paint to match and duplicolor de162 old ford blue was a perfect match. most of the other buels are to light and dont look as good.
for the black use rustolem 7798 semi gloss black, they might sell 2 semi gloss blacks but that one matchs up better.

 

When I painted the air filter housing I wanted to keep the factory markings on the air intake so I masked the area off.
You can see in the picture that the original paint and the Krylon Ford dark blue are near perfect matches.

 

Maybe i'm just colorblind but I thought Plasti-Kote was the best match......they're all pretty close.

 

good stuff,Mike are your brackets powder coated or sprayed,that Merc looks great.Bleedeen Blue

 

I sand blasted the brackets then sprayed them with Rustoleum self etching primer and then two coats of Krylon semi-gloss black.

 

thanks Mike looks good.semi-gloss