Paint your Engine

So, has it been decided whether it is worthwhile to paint an engine? If so, what parts, what color? How about the FI pieces?
And the tin?

[Germain]

I would recomend Por-15. They are at www.por-15.com. They have the best engine paint you can get, sold in a kit if you want even.

[JP Noonan]

Bob Hoover and others recommend against painting the T-4 case. It is aluminium and won't corrode like the magnisium T-1 case and 901 trans case. Engine paints withstand high temps but also help to insulate the motor. If you must paint it use a flat black nomal paint to help disperse heat. Painting the cylinders IS a good idea because they are cast iron and rust. Also the flat black helps them to stay cooler.

A polished case, valve covers or pushrod tubes, are about the worst thing for heat. Polished surfaced reflect heat, so the polished outer surface reflects heat back into the engine.

Polished/painted tinware and accesories aren't a problem because the air is flowing past them so fast they don't heat soak, and they aren't generating heat.

[unclerichy]

I was thinking about having my engine tin chromed. Has anyone out there done this? How did it look?

Rich
'73 1.7
'74 2.0

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I've seen a chromed set, and a few painted (not black) sets. They look great for about 15 minutes, then they get dirty. Then they just look.... dirty.

Light colors (and chrome) throw the light around a lot better, though. It's a lot easier to see what you're doing and harder to loose parts and tools and fasteners.

--DD

[Joe Ricard]

Now this is a first, I have never heard of the physics of polished aluminum reflecting heat back into the engine. I think I am going to try this theory. Scientifically of course with a infared temp sensor test both side of case. Should be equal temps right? then polish one side test again to see if either side is cooler. Who's with me?

[karlp]

I think there is a misunderstanding on the polished/flat black issue.
A flat black will have a higher emmissivity than a polished surface. That is kind of a general statement, but generally accurate. It is not that a polished surface reflects heat back in, it just does not radiate heat out as well.
Polishing the areas above the headers would help!
I can't see any harm in doing whatever to the tin. I painted mine red. It helps me see when I have all the leaked oil cleaned up.
Karl P>

[Howard R]

I had my 2.7 case (magnesium) and gearbox case coated inside and out with HPC SO2 which is a black teflon oil shedding coating. Sheds oil on the inside and stops corrosion on the outside and road much doesn't stick to it. I suspect it also radiates heat better.