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Time to reseal oil leaks. I'm preparing to pull the motor out of my 1969 Oldsmobile 442. It is numbers matching and has a 400 engine which I'm not sure if it's the correct color or not. The previous owner didn't have much history on the car other than it is mostly original and numbers matching. The engine, as you can see is painted gold which I researched & found 350's were gold and 400's were bronze. There's nothing wrong with the current paint other than it may be wrong. I guess the question here would be, were all 1969 442 400 engine blocks painted Bronze? Any help would be appreciated.
I can tell you with absolute certainty that gold color is wrong. Depending on how much coverage there is on the engine, it would imply the engine's been out before and someone thought it best to paint over the bronze. The correct '69 442 engine color is bronze. Nothing else. Have you confirmed it's numbers matching?. That gold paint would concern me in that regard. At least it's a 400G.
It appears to have a little more red in it than standard SBO Gold, but is not as dark as engines I've seen in the correct Bronze. I'm pretty sure I recall you saying that the engine is the numbers-matching original, so no worries there.
It appears to have a little more red in it than standard SBO Gold, but is not as dark as engines I've seen in the correct Bronze. I'm pretty sure I recall you saying that the engine is the numbers-matching original, so no worries there.
I happen to know they have some correct Bronze engine enamel in stock.
Thanks for the replies so far. Hoping to hear from a few more on this. Transmission coming out this weekend for rebuild. Motor will be April. Yes, it is numbers matching. I have pictures of the serial numbers on the engine & transmission. I purchased 3 cans of the correct Bronze from Fusick Automotive in CT. Reasonably priced. I just want to be 100% sure that the current color is wrong so I can correct it while the motor is out of the car.
Gold is definitely not the correct engine color, it should be bronze. With the engine being original, you may find some of the original color without much trouble on the sides of the oil pan. Most folks doing a freshen up color change won't paint that area unless the engine was out of the car.
Are you happy with it? Is it accurate? And what color did you paint over?
I’m happy with the color.
There are a few different shades that I’ve seen. I originally painted the engine using paint from Tamraz. It was much lighter, almost a tan color. That color seems to be used on earlier 65 or 66 engines.
I had an original 69 G block for a while that I was saving in case I ever wanted to replace the 455 that I have now. It had original paint on it and it was very close to the Fusick paint I used.
Last edited by allyolds68; Mar 21, 2025 at 04:55 PM.
I used the Fusic bronze and it was way to red in my opinion, this is the Rustoleum aged copper, to each there own but I feel this is closestvto factory color.
This formula (mixed) was used after scans of the original paint that was on the engine. I think must of us are close to the orignal color but not 100% correct.
Last edited by Cfos0031!; Mar 21, 2025 at 09:17 PM.
the fact of the matter is that I think engine color paint batches were not as closely made as body paint colors. They didn't worry or care as much. also over time the original paint probably faded with use and heat, etc etc So the reference bronze people are trying to match may not be that consistent.
That came out very nice. If mine looks as good, I will be very happy. I just want the engine to be correct or close to it since it's going to be out, may as well get it right. Thanks for your post. BTW, what year is your car and is that your car on your avatar?
Originally Posted by Cfos0031!
This formula (mixed) was used after scans of the original paint that was on the engine. I think must of us are close to the orignal color but not 100% correct.
the fact of the matter is that i think engine color paint batches were not as closely made as body paint colors. They didn't worry or care as much. Also over time the original paint probably faded with use and heat, etc etc so the reference bronze people are trying to match may not be that consistent.
Here's one of the pictures I took while my car was on the lift at the muffler shop a few months ago, forgot I had it. But, I believe it clearly shows the original color on the harmonic balancer that a previous owner missed when they painted the motor gold. Thoughts? Transmission out today & going to the shop on Monday, motor coming out over the next two weeks.
Are we not talking about the worn surface on the balancer? It looks gold to me.
Yes, most comments have said the engine looks 350 Gold. So, if the engine is Gold, the Balancer looks Bronze to me. I don't know to be honest. Hope others chime in opinions. Thanks
That came out very nice. If mine looks as good, I will be very happy. I just want the engine to be correct or close to it since it's going to be out, may as well get it right. Thanks for your post. BTW, what year is your car and is that your car on your avatar?
[QUOTE=442b;1621551]That came out very nice. If mine looks as good, I will be very happy. I just want the engine to be correct or close to it since it's going to be out, may as well get it right. Thanks for your post. BTW, what year is your car and is that your car on your avatar?
I have seen a few different variations, I went with the Fusick paint. It is in between the red bronze and the 350 gold. It may not ne exact but as one learned member noted there was not much attention given to engine paint as to body colour. I am sure every assembly plant had a slightly different version and possibly every shift as well. I figure as long as it is from a " reliable Oldsmobile" source it should pass the mustard so to speak.
Just my 2 pennies.
I just watched this video on YT. I'm seeing the motor is the same color as mine. I'm asking myself, why would someone do such a beautiful restoration, frame off ect. and not paint the motor the correct bronze color? Before I waste my time painting my motor bronze, what do you guys think?
I just watched this video on YT. I'm seeing the motor is the same color as mine. I'm asking myself, why would someone do such a beautiful restoration, frame off ect. and not paint the motor the correct bronze color? Before I waste my time painting my motor bronze, what do you guys think?
