I think this is the staple statement that goes back to the 50s, I totally get it. My dad was in highschool in the 50s and he always said the guys put all their money in engines and wheels, paint can wait... dig the roadster
It's your car. Whats "best" is whatever you like. I may think it sucks, but that is entirely irrelevant. regards, Phil
For me that was a serious consideration and I missed on the first try. For me after deciding my ride would be flat Hot Rod black I repainted the engine glossy black. I suggest knowing the color of the car for sure, before deciding on engine paint.
I'm not a fan of black engines unless the car is black because they always look greasy to me. Maybe that is because I have seen so many late model oil leaking trucks though. Still that beats some factory engine colors that just flat don't look good on an engine that isn't hidden under a hood. Not a fan of gold unless it is an Olds or Cad engine. Just pick an engine color that will jive with the paint color that you "might" paint it someday so you don't have to repaint it later. The 292 in my 48 is going to be as close to the factory 48 Chevy gray engine paint that came on the trucks new because I want it to look like a honked up early six with lots of finned aluminum to the casual observer. Guys in the know will know what it is but others will think it is a dressed up 216/235 and we won't tell them different for the most part.
Two minds with but a single thought. If you have a quantity of chrome and polished alloy, a deeper color sets it off. Midnight blue. Gator Green, Dark Cherry, or if you don't have a clue what the bodywork will finally be, Dark Gray is the sure bet. You'll have 360° of options for the body later on.
The Jalopy Journal
