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I've seen many references to the '53 F100 215 I6 engine color being a combo of Detroit Diesel Aspen Green with a 'kinda hunter green' valve cover. However... when I was replacing my rod and main bearings I scrubbed my oil pan and found two colors - one was a gray that was obviously a repaint and what was obviously the original green beneath. Below the green was bare steel. So I did some block and valve cover scrubbing to find the same colors, with the same green just before bare metal. The green is the dark jade color (have to consider aging causing some darkening) of pre-'40 or so Ford engines (IMHO, fwiw) and the valve cover is the same as the rest of the engine. It's doubtful that the engine was ever tanked/stripped as the rod and main bearings were standard-sized and carried Ford logos. The bellhousing is also the same green with the transmission (LD w/truck extension housing) being bare cast.
I'm not trying to start an argument but rather ask/add that maybe Ford just sprayed whatever was handy at the moment. Both my parents worked at the Sharonville tranny plant from the late '50s until late '69 so I've heard many stories of xxxxx happening more times than I can count. I guess what I'd like to know is the light/dark green combo cast in stone or ? My truck was assembled in Norfolk but who knows what plant the engine came from, back then. I'm not really trying to be concours but with something as simple as painting the engine correctly I'd like to know what others think.
Doubt you'll find an iron clad answer. Like you I gathered what I could find off the web, and cleaned up my valve cover best I could to match the dark green. The light green is the Lincoln/Merc green. I got it from Bill Hirsch. The dark green I had mixed. Below is my 215. Stu
I've been attempting a stock rebuild of my '53 F100 w/ 215. Here are two photos of 215s. One has been freshly painted. The other appears to be all original. I suppose that Ford could have painted them any color that was handy, but I have come to understand that these photos show the color combination that one would expect to see on a stock
1953 F100 215 six.
The 215 in my '53 F100 - which seems to be mostly original - is that light green top and bottom. Or at least it appears that way, through the wear and fading...
I am restoring a 53 F100 , I would like to keep the original patina on the exterior, but want to restore the engine, engine bay and interior. Is this a smart option. I have attached a pic of the truck would like personal opinions please. It has the original inline 6 cylinder motor and it runs and drives. with a 4 speed tranny. I have purchased all new metal that needs to be replaced which is mainly inner floor pans and running boards and cab corners..
Let me welcome you to FTE. This is the best ford truck forum. I think the first thing you should do is start your own thread with an informative title along with more pictures of your truck rather than asking your question on this thread. You'll get more responses. On the 48-56 main forum page on the left there is a button that says "NEW THREAD". Click that to start your own thread. Also let us know where you are from.
About your plans... Some guys here like patina, others don't. I think you will have to take care of the cancer rust, the holes. Can those patches be painted to match the patina? It looks like you have a hole on the fender for a turnsignal and one on the cowl for an antenna. Your rear fender looks bad where the running board attaches....
Good luck and keep us posted with your progress.
Edit: I see you already started your own thread! Good Job!
06-08-2016, 05:48 PM
