1964 Cutlass 330 engine paint

Old Aug 15, 2025 | 02:05 PM
  #1  
alsmith787's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 216
1964 Cutlass 330 engine paint

I need help - does anybody know the correct gold paint for the 64 luckily there are parts on my engine that has the original paint also some metal brackets & braces to the engine have original Gold paint. I've bought varieties Thornton - In-line - Opgi - Fusick - etc none come close on shade of gold ---- HELP
THANKS
Alsmith787
Old Aug 16, 2025 | 05:05 AM
  #2  
Rallye469's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,663
From: Jacksonville, FL
Maybe it’s time to take it to a paint shop. Is the car mobile?
Look for a Sherwin-Williams automotive paint store close by. They can probably scan it and get you closer.
Old Aug 16, 2025 | 06:12 AM
  #3  
harleyrules's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 281
From: Pine Ridge Florida
Are you sure the paint on the motor is original? It is possible, that many years ago the motor was pulled, taken out of the vehicle all accessories were removed and then repainted the incorrect color. Or when a motor rebuild was performed?
Old Aug 16, 2025 | 06:24 AM
  #4  
alsmith787's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 216
64 Olds 330 engine color

Thanks Harleyrules BUT the car was bought brand new in 64 for my Mom been in the family since purchased the only thing ever replaced on the car was a starter solenoid which I did in 69 other then that & a few batteries and rebuilding the original carburetor 3 times everything is original & I mean everything actually rebuilding the original carb still means it came from the factory that way. This engine color thing has got me baffled it's not quite bronze it's not quite gold it's somewhere in the middle - I don't get it?
Alsmith787
Old Aug 16, 2025 | 06:35 AM
  #5  
Tri-Carb's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,081
The answer probably lies in the fact that factory engine paint lots were not the same shade of bronze.
Old Aug 16, 2025 | 08:28 AM
  #6  
BangScreech4-4-2's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 16,698
Originally Posted by Tri-Carb
The answer probably lies in the fact that factory engine paint lots were not the same shade of bronze.
Aren't 330s supposed to be gold?

Regardless, this is probably the answer. I used Fusick Bronze on my 400G and it came out pretty much gold.

Last edited by BangScreech4-4-2; Aug 16, 2025 at 08:31 AM.
Old Aug 16, 2025 | 09:11 AM
  #7  
OLDSter Ralph's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,219
From: St. Paul Minnesota
Originally Posted by alsmith787
Thanks Harleyrules BUT the car was bought brand new in 64 for my Mom been in the family since purchased the only thing ever replaced on the car was a starter solenoid which I did in 69 other then that & a few batteries and rebuilding the original carburetor 3 times everything is original & I mean everything actually rebuilding the original carb still means it came from the factory that way. This engine color thing has got me baffled it's not quite bronze it's not quite gold it's somewhere in the middle - I don't get it?
Alsmith787
I don't recall any Olds engines after 1958 and before 1964 that were painted Gold by the factory. Colors do age and change over 60 years.
Old Aug 16, 2025 | 06:19 PM
  #8  
1Restorick's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 85
I had a 64 Cutlass with a 330V8. The original gold paint was lighter and not metallic like my 1972 350. Fusick and Bill Hirsh used to sell two shades of Olds Gold engine paint but I no longer see it listed?
Old Aug 16, 2025 | 08:54 PM
  #9  
Rallye469's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,663
From: Jacksonville, FL
Perhaps a pic would help here?
Old Aug 17, 2025 | 07:49 AM
  #10  
joe_padavano's Avatar
Old(s) Fart
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,791
From: Northern VA
All 330 motors were painted gold. Paint color changes after SIXTY years due to heat cycling. More importantly, the heavy metallic in engine paints changes color depending on the application technique. If you spray engine paint in several thin coats the way we were all taught, the metallics will be near the surface and will pretty much lay down flat. This makes the color appear light and silvery. The factory didn't give a rip about runs and drips, they laid on a single heavy wet coat to prevent rust. Applying engine paint this way will tend to bury the metallics down in the paint and they will be at random angles, not all reflecting. The result is a darker, more gold appearance.
Old Aug 17, 2025 | 09:11 AM
  #11  
alsmith787's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 216
64 Olds Cutlass gold engine paint

Thanks Joe; since there seems to be a lot of variations and I know you owned a couple of old early a-bodies where would you today buy engine paint for the 330 engine and what distributor
Thanks
Alsmith787
Old Aug 17, 2025 | 10:02 AM
  #12  
oldcutlass's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,495
From: Poteau, Ok
I've used VHT High Temp Ceramic or Dupli color rattle can engine paint in the past on non concourse resto's.
Old Aug 18, 2025 | 05:12 AM
  #13  
mattking's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 553
From: Rosemark, TN
This is the "Eastwood Ceramic Engine Paint Qt Olds Gold". It came out lighter than I would have thought and I think it is too light for you as you say ours is between bronze and gold, but at least you can mark it off your options list:

Old Aug 18, 2025 | 05:30 AM
  #14  
alsmith787's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 216
1964 Cutlass 330 engine paint

HEY HEY MATKING that is close very close thank you went downstairs into garage and immediately cleaned painted area again with brake clean had your picture in hand next to rear of engine/block it's almost perfect let's say it's like the movie
"IT'S AS GOOD AS IT GETS"
Thank you Again
Alsmith787
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dmitchell
Small Blocks
5
Oct 28, 2023 05:52 PM
olds 307 and 403
General Discussion
22
Sep 30, 2022 08:56 AM
rfpowerdude
Small Blocks
13
Feb 21, 2022 02:29 PM
Kensey
General Discussion
6
Apr 20, 2021 05:50 PM
RAMBOW
General Discussion
48
Mar 14, 2010 07:44 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:42 AM.