Correct paint for engine sheetmetal

Hetmann · 01-08-2003, 01:19 PM

As part of my engine rebuild, I am repainting the sheetmetal. What primer/paint would you recommend for proper look, sheen and good durability?

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

I would get it all powder coated. Cheap and will last the longest.

rs911t · 01-08-2003, 01:30 PM

I've wondered - what's the proper color coding??

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

I would probably buy a can of black Barbeque paint at the local hardware store.

pwd72s · 01-08-2003, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rs911t
I've wondered - what's the proper color coding??

Greg, I don't know if there is one for powdercoat...but given a sample, good powdercoat guys can get close enough to fool any concours judge. In paint, I understand Wurth makes a spray can that is an exact color match.

rs911t · 01-08-2003, 01:51 PM

I've seen different color engine shrouds. Are these colors tied to specific models, e.g. green for 911T?

pwd72s · 02:03 PM

Yep, Red stands for S...but not sure on T's and E's...let me do a bit of research...I'll get back to you. Edit: One of those few times I actually remembered where I stuck a note.

Anyway, according to Alan Caldwell, from the August 2000 PANO....
911T-Black
911E-Green
911S-Red
This is for '69-73 Shroud colors...and of course there are exceptions. The 911T with MFI should be a yellow shroud, and the '73.5 T with CIS went back to a black shroud. These colors are actually within the shroud gel-coat...like they do on boat hulls, not painted on.

bob hodges · 01-08-2003, 02:16 PM

Mine is powder coated black and I would guess only I and the guy at the shop would know any different.

rs911t · 01-08-2003, 02:23 PM

Yea Paul!

RoninLB · 01-08-2003, 02:36 PM

I used a Por-15 for sheetmetal because it's kinda chip proof.. and the engine shroud color is part of the fiberglass, like Paul said.. so I did a good prep and used Imron without any primer/not needed. and the Imron is flexable, which I like...........Ron

pwd72s · 01-08-2003, 02:37 PM

So, Greg are you still running the original yellow shroud? I loved Ron's shroud, BTW...it's unique, to say the least...

RoninLB · 01-08-2003, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pwd72s
So, Greg are you still running the original yellow shroud?

Thanks Paul.. the 911 can be such a personalized machine.. I hated the embaraseing CIS green.. so I did a Ruby Red from a 1962 356.. which doesn't have the orange that Guards Red has.. it's still a Porsche color.. even Superman took notice, and he likes the bright Ruby Red color.. so Super would be an objective opnion.. Paul's situation is that he has an eye for a class act.

rs911t · 01-08-2003, 04:19 PM

Paul, you have me intrigued! My shroud is black, not yellow.......

pwd72s · 04:44 PM

Yet, with '72 911T's being all made with MFI, should be yellow. Hmmmm. A thought...1973 shrouds had a removable piece not available in '72...best described by me as a gray "hump", running towards the front of the car, begining in the center lower portion of the shroud, narrowing as it goes towards the front of the car. In '73 and up shrouds, a piece can be removed from the end of this hump, allowing easy removal of the engine mounted oil cooler without having to pull the shroud. Perhaps Grady went with this "improved" shroud when he did the hot rodding for the "Mad MD of the high country"? Grady was great with details like this...and back then nobody really cared about things like shroud colors when they did a bit of hot rodding. You might look for that removable piece...it was an improvement. If it's not there, perhaps a little scratch exploring with a pen knife, see if your shroud was painted?

rs911t · 01-08-2003, 04:52 PM

My shroud has a "gray hump" running from about mid-height of the fan diagonally to just above the oil cooler (I can see the cooler). This hump isn't easily removed as it's riveted to the black portion of the shroud.

Hetmann · 01-08-2003, 05:02 PM

My shroud is bright red. My wrench says that is the color for all SCs and 930s. It is in such nice condition that all I'm going to do is give it a good scrubbing. The sheet metal, on the other hand, needs a good cleaning and fresh paint.

pwd72s · 05:30 PM

Greg, Okay, so on the farthest forward part of that hump, is there a section that could be removed? Not riveted, but removable 6 sided bolt heads. It's pretty small, the last 2-4" of that hump. You'll need to remove your air cleaner housing to really look. If there is, it's a '73 and up shroud. If not, probably a '72 and earlier shroud painted or produced in black. Grady possibly used an earlier or same year shroud when he removed the MFI and went to carbs because of the larger displacement? (MFI shrouds have holes cut in them where the injector lines pass through, carb shrouds don't.) Also, '72T engine numbers for coupes run from 6120001 thru 6124478. This number should be stamped on an upright casting found by looking straight down from the 3 o'clock position of the fan...just another clue...

Randy Webb · 01-08-2003, 07:12 PM

you can buy the red shrouds from your P dealer. You can buy carbon fiber shrouds from Smart Racing Products - tho they are spendy. If you paint the shroud, I would use a paint with flex agent in it.

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

I had my engine tin done in satin finish black powder coat. Looks a million dollars for $30.

Zeke · 01-08-2003, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fishcop
I had my engine tin done in satin finish black powder coat. Looks a million dollars for $30.

I have done the same thing and I recommend it. For the guy who is not close to a powder coater or just wants to do it himself, Rustoleum semi gloss or satin looks very original and is fairly gas and oil resistant once cured.