Valve cover colors
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
There was a book once Ford gave to mechanics. Beginning in 1954 and up to 1967, valve cover colors designated engine sizes. It was easy...look in the book, find the color, and there was the engine size. The Fabulous 50's Ford Club may have reproduced the book, I saw a repop copy several years ago.
I do know that despite what you may have heard or seen, Ford didn't begin painting the entire engines Ford blue till 1968. Prior to 1968, the valve colors were a different color than the rest of the engine. For example: Black was used on 352's in 1965/67, the covers were gold.
I do know that despite what you may have heard or seen, Ford didn't begin painting the entire engines Ford blue till 1968. Prior to 1968, the valve colors were a different color than the rest of the engine. For example: Black was used on 352's in 1965/67, the covers were gold.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 1
From: oh
I argued with Bigwin about engine and valve colors for the y-blocks and now I believe he is correct.
I bought a 21,000 original truck,and just lately talked to the original owner,in Georgia.He stated that Ford dealer in Quitman,Georgia,actually took engine and rebuilt it when it had very low miles.I do not know why,but now understand why my bellhousing is bright yellow-and the entire eng/valve covers were red.
Before I spoke to the farmer,I painted engine red and valve covers black.-Now I think WHY WOOD THE ENGINE BE RED-AND BELLHOUSING -BRIGHT YELLOW?????
it's 'cause the engine was taken out and rebuilt-then sprayed red--to show they worked on it!!!Now I am painting the engine yellow and matching the bellhousing-I used Daytona yellow engine enamel.--My valve covers should be argent silver.I think for now I will keep them black,till I here otherwise.
LESSON---BIGWIN knows his stuff,and I don't!!!!haha
I bought a 21,000 original truck,and just lately talked to the original owner,in Georgia.He stated that Ford dealer in Quitman,Georgia,actually took engine and rebuilt it when it had very low miles.I do not know why,but now understand why my bellhousing is bright yellow-and the entire eng/valve covers were red.
Before I spoke to the farmer,I painted engine red and valve covers black.-Now I think WHY WOOD THE ENGINE BE RED-AND BELLHOUSING -BRIGHT YELLOW?????
it's 'cause the engine was taken out and rebuilt-then sprayed red--to show they worked on it!!!Now I am painting the engine yellow and matching the bellhousing-I used Daytona yellow engine enamel.--My valve covers should be argent silver.I think for now I will keep them black,till I here otherwise.
LESSON---BIGWIN knows his stuff,and I don't!!!!haha
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,366
Likes: 1,726
From: AKRON ohio
This is what i know for sure, 54,55,56,57,58's all had argent silver valve covers. I'm not sure on the 59's and the 60-64's all had red valve covers. I think the 59's were red too but not sure.
This info pertains to trucks only with the 272-292 engines.
Kevin Bigwin
This info pertains to trucks only with the 272-292 engines.
Kevin Bigwin
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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On my '62 292, the only paint remaining paint on the valve covers is gold. Several other things are gold as well - like the coolant expansion tank and support (definately gold), valley cover, filler necks (I think), etc. Pretty much all the tin. There appears to be some red on the block, though. It's definately the correct engine and nothing appears to ever have been repainted, properly anyway, but there are some areas with red over gold, flaking off, like somebody tried some repainting with red. Could Ford have used red over a gold undercoat?
Andrew
Andrew
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 890
Likes: 0
From: New York
Now here's a question ...
What color schemes did they use on Y-blocks in Mercury cars & trucks? The Y-block I'm building for my '60 came with Merc valve covers, so I'm considering using a stock Merc paint scheme on it.
I know the '54 256 was two shades of green, but I'd be really interested to hear if anyone knows the colors through the '50s.
What color schemes did they use on Y-blocks in Mercury cars & trucks? The Y-block I'm building for my '60 came with Merc valve covers, so I'm considering using a stock Merc paint scheme on it.
I know the '54 256 was two shades of green, but I'd be really interested to hear if anyone knows the colors through the '50s.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,890
Likes: 9
From: La Verne, California
Originally Posted by kooper909
Now here's a question ...
What color schemes did they use on Y-blocks in Mercury cars & trucks? The Y-block I'm building for my '60 came with Merc valve covers, so I'm considering using a stock Merc paint scheme on it.
I know the '54 256 was two shades of green, but I'd be really interested to hear if anyone knows the colors through the '50s.
What color schemes did they use on Y-blocks in Mercury cars & trucks? The Y-block I'm building for my '60 came with Merc valve covers, so I'm considering using a stock Merc paint scheme on it.
I know the '54 256 was two shades of green, but I'd be really interested to hear if anyone knows the colors through the '50s.
That is up untill FoMoCo as a Whole started painting Every block Ford Blue.
Last edited by Col Flashman; Apr 5, 2007 at 07:24 PM.
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