53 engine color?
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 2
From: east central Illinois
53 engine color?
I have a '53 with a 215ci 6 cylinder. I believe the original engine was reconditioned or replaced with a reconditioned block. The block is reddish orange. It looks like the intake was yellow. The valve cover, lifter cover, oil pan and fan are light green. Is it just coincidence that this is the same color my truck was originally painted? Were these parts painted the same color as the body? I have seen pictures of a '56 that had everything painted yellow. Another engine had everything reddish/orange. Where would I find this information?
Thanks!
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
Thanks!
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
53 engine color?
They are definitely not body color. Ford did a great job of not standardizing colors on motors until the mid sixties. They liked to color code all the engines different for some reason. The one picture I have of a restored '53 with the 215, shows the engine blue ( like '66 and later Ford blue, but maybe it's the late 40's flathead V-8 blue ) with a silver valve sover and black accessories.
New User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
53 engine color?
I am doing a 55 with the original engine and it was yellow also. It was made in Atlanta and is a 239 V8. If there is a coding sequence I haven't heard but it make sense. I am trying to find the correct yellow to repaint my block.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
53 engine color?
I will add what the six in my 53 looked like. It was all original with the original fuel pump, holley carb with glass bowel, and oil bath aircleaner. The block was a dark "park bench" green and the sheetmetal covers were a lighter lime green. The aircleaner, fan and some general bracketry was black. I was going to restore it, and was going to get some dark green paint and brush or spray the block, and then take the same paint and keep adding yellow to it till I got the lime green to match. But I ended up putting a v8 in it, so I never did it.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
53 engine color?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Aug-02 AT 10:29 PM (EST)]Just reading in Ford Pickup Color History by Motor Books Int'l. Engines in '54's were painted yellow while '53's were green. That seems like too broad a description compared to what I've seen over the years. Overhead valve engines typically had valve covers and air cleaners painted in different colors than the block. Also, the picture of the '53 engine I described in the above post was all dark blue, which seems totally wrong.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,402
Likes: 5,409
From: Central PA
53 engine color?
The '53 Flathead V-8 was dark green.
The '54 OHV Y-Block and 6 cyl. was red. The valve covers were argent, other components (air cleaner, generator, fan, etc) were black.
The '55 and '56 Y-Blocks were a pale yellow.
Thats all Folks! Abe
The '54 OHV Y-Block and 6 cyl. was red. The valve covers were argent, other components (air cleaner, generator, fan, etc) were black.
The '55 and '56 Y-Blocks were a pale yellow.
Thats all Folks! Abe
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 2
From: east central Illinois
53 engine color?
I received a message from someone with a '53. Here's his reply:
To answer your question about my Light Blue 1953 Ford F-100 half Ton pick up truck. Yes, it is an all original 1953 Ford truck. and the engine is a 215 Ford 6 cylinder with a 3 speed manual transmission.
The original 215 Ford 6 cylinder engine color is a Light Tangerine Green. The intake manifold color is light Tangerine Green. The starter, generator, fan, fan shroud and radiator color are gloss black. The distributor color is aluminum. The flue pump color is aluminum and the block breather tub color is gloss black. The crank shaft Balinese wheel color is Light tangerine Green. The crank shaft pulley color is gloss black. The water pump color is Light Tangerine Green and the water pump pulley color is gloss black. The front motor mount color is gloss black and the original oil bath air cleaner color is gloss black.
But please understand the original color Light Tangerine Green was only on the Ford truck over head valve 6 cylinder in 1953, All Ford truck V8 motors were Ford Red and they were all Flatheads. and then in 1954 Henry Ford came out with an 239 over head valve Ford V8 motor, and the color is ford Red with black valve covers. and the new Ford 6 cylinder motor was an over head valve 223 ford 6 cylinder motor and the color was the same as in 1953, a Light Tangerine Green and Ford kept making the 223 ford 6 cylinder until 1964. the colors varied by year. In 1955 Ford truck came with a new V8 motor, an 272 over head valve Ford V8, the color of the 272 Ford V8 motor was Yellow with black valve covers. and fords new V8 for 1956 trucks was an 292, and the color was ford Red with black valve covers. The color of the 223 Ford 6 cylinder for 1955 and 1956 trucks was Yellow.
This description sounds right. But I think I have a reconditioned block which would explain why it is orange. Everything else is black or light green. I have a couple pictures of my engine:
http://www.cba.uiuc.edu/mwc/images/1953_Ford_F100/53_ford_engine_left_garage.jpg http://www.cba.uiuc.edu/mwc/images/1953_Ford_F100/53_ford_engine_right_garage.jpg
Hope this helps!
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
To answer your question about my Light Blue 1953 Ford F-100 half Ton pick up truck. Yes, it is an all original 1953 Ford truck. and the engine is a 215 Ford 6 cylinder with a 3 speed manual transmission.
The original 215 Ford 6 cylinder engine color is a Light Tangerine Green. The intake manifold color is light Tangerine Green. The starter, generator, fan, fan shroud and radiator color are gloss black. The distributor color is aluminum. The flue pump color is aluminum and the block breather tub color is gloss black. The crank shaft Balinese wheel color is Light tangerine Green. The crank shaft pulley color is gloss black. The water pump color is Light Tangerine Green and the water pump pulley color is gloss black. The front motor mount color is gloss black and the original oil bath air cleaner color is gloss black.
But please understand the original color Light Tangerine Green was only on the Ford truck over head valve 6 cylinder in 1953, All Ford truck V8 motors were Ford Red and they were all Flatheads. and then in 1954 Henry Ford came out with an 239 over head valve Ford V8 motor, and the color is ford Red with black valve covers. and the new Ford 6 cylinder motor was an over head valve 223 ford 6 cylinder motor and the color was the same as in 1953, a Light Tangerine Green and Ford kept making the 223 ford 6 cylinder until 1964. the colors varied by year. In 1955 Ford truck came with a new V8 motor, an 272 over head valve Ford V8, the color of the 272 Ford V8 motor was Yellow with black valve covers. and fords new V8 for 1956 trucks was an 292, and the color was ford Red with black valve covers. The color of the 223 Ford 6 cylinder for 1955 and 1956 trucks was Yellow.
This description sounds right. But I think I have a reconditioned block which would explain why it is orange. Everything else is black or light green. I have a couple pictures of my engine:
http://www.cba.uiuc.edu/mwc/images/1953_Ford_F100/53_ford_engine_left_garage.jpg http://www.cba.uiuc.edu/mwc/images/1953_Ford_F100/53_ford_engine_right_garage.jpg
Hope this helps!
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
53 engine color?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 23-Aug-02 AT 07:58 PM (EST)]That green was the color on the flathead V-8 in my first '53 F100 30 years ago ( very original and worn out ). I remember the 239 OHV in the '54 f100 I had in '79 was red ( also very original and worn out )but I can't remember the details about the valve cover/air cleaner color. My present '54 223 6 cyl. is red with a silver valve cover ( with the original cost clipper 6 decal ). Apparently engines in cars and trucks are different colors to add to the confusion. '54 car engines ( both ) are Ivory ( yellow ) with red valve covers ( just god rid of a nice original 6 cyl '54 tudor). But, that green color seems to get around. I've seen a very similar, if not the same, color on 332's in '58/'59 cars, on mid/late 50's Mercs, and even on a 289 in a '64 Comet. Like I said before, Ford kind of went ape color coding engines for some reason. My 60 T'Bird had a 352 that was black w/yellow valve covers ( again like the Ivory color used in the mid 50's ). My '58 Edsel 361 was yellow w/white valve covers and air cleaner. I guess they wanted people to be able to identify which motor was which at a glance, but I doubt too many could keep up with it.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
Likes: 13
From: Waynesville, OH
53 engine color?
There is a similar discussion going on in another thread on the board right now. The thread's entitled "Original Paint". I put a couple pictures from a brochure there and rather than repost them here I encourage anyone who's interested to take a look.
George
George
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 2
From: east central Illinois
53 engine color?
My dad looked through his back issues of Ford V-8 Times and found a reply to a reader's letter asking the same question. Here it is from the March/April 1996 issue:
This letter is in response to your questions regarding restoration of your 1953 Ford F-100 Pickup truck.
1. Engine Color: You are correct in thinking that most of the engine's parts, specifically those components that were installed at the engine plant as opposed to those added at the vehicle assembly plant, were painted green. As to the proper shade of green, that's a bit hard to define. My Ford color expert friend calls it "bright green". If you are unable to find the exact color, contact Diane Dawes at the Dawes Paint Co., 9064 Livernois, Detroit, MI 48204 telephone 313-834-3900. Mrs. Dawes is a color match expert who employs a library of formulas mastered by her father-in-law, Carl, who spent a lifetime in the automotive paint business and provided properly blended colors to scores of Detroit area auto restorers over the years.
Incidentally, Ford painted its engines with laquer during this era, rather than the baked enamel which was typically used in finishing Ford bodies.
2. Water Pump Pulleys: As in #1.
3. Generator and Bracket: Semigloss air-dry black (not high-gloss) enamel similar to chassis black (Ford part number M-3713).
4. Dip Stick Housing: Part of engine; thus, green ala #1.
5. Crankshaft Pulley: Green as in #1.
6. Starter: Like generator (#3).
7. Manifolds: Green ala #1.
8. Master Cylinder: Black, but don't expect any finish to withstand repeated exposure to hydraulic brake fluid.
9. Oil Filter: Black as in #3.
10. Exposed Metal Part of Seat Frame: Black enamel, glossier than, but certainly not the quality of, body exterior baked enamel.
11. Wheels: Body Color Enamel.
Sincerely,
James K. Wagner
I think that pretty much answers all my engine paint questions.
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
This letter is in response to your questions regarding restoration of your 1953 Ford F-100 Pickup truck.
1. Engine Color: You are correct in thinking that most of the engine's parts, specifically those components that were installed at the engine plant as opposed to those added at the vehicle assembly plant, were painted green. As to the proper shade of green, that's a bit hard to define. My Ford color expert friend calls it "bright green". If you are unable to find the exact color, contact Diane Dawes at the Dawes Paint Co., 9064 Livernois, Detroit, MI 48204 telephone 313-834-3900. Mrs. Dawes is a color match expert who employs a library of formulas mastered by her father-in-law, Carl, who spent a lifetime in the automotive paint business and provided properly blended colors to scores of Detroit area auto restorers over the years.
Incidentally, Ford painted its engines with laquer during this era, rather than the baked enamel which was typically used in finishing Ford bodies.
2. Water Pump Pulleys: As in #1.
3. Generator and Bracket: Semigloss air-dry black (not high-gloss) enamel similar to chassis black (Ford part number M-3713).
4. Dip Stick Housing: Part of engine; thus, green ala #1.
5. Crankshaft Pulley: Green as in #1.
6. Starter: Like generator (#3).
7. Manifolds: Green ala #1.
8. Master Cylinder: Black, but don't expect any finish to withstand repeated exposure to hydraulic brake fluid.
9. Oil Filter: Black as in #3.
10. Exposed Metal Part of Seat Frame: Black enamel, glossier than, but certainly not the quality of, body exterior baked enamel.
11. Wheels: Body Color Enamel.
Sincerely,
James K. Wagner
I think that pretty much answers all my engine paint questions.
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 2
From: east central Illinois
53 engine color?
One last thing to add. I found a web site that stated Krylon Ford Green #2007 is supposed to be a match for the 1953 215ci inline six engine. I don't know how it would hold up on the block. Might be OK for the valve cover, lifter cover, oil pan, fan, etc.
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
53 engine color?
I brought this subject up again after this new post came up:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/48_60/2680.html
His engine looks just like mine did-dark green valve cover and lime green block.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/48_60/2680.html
His engine looks just like mine did-dark green valve cover and lime green block.
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Fall River, WI
1953 F-250 engine paint colors
Having read posts on here about engine colors for this year, I went out and took some pics of my engine. I used a digital camera. I am posting these for reference. The engine is two colors as shown. The block is one color and the valve cover is another. I will post them under photos on this site.
Sparkdog
Sparkdog
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
74f100sc
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Jul 15, 2016 09:33 PM
Doug O
1957 - 1960 F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Apr 14, 2016 01:12 PM
49fordv8f4
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Nov 23, 2014 06:39 PM
