Original Engine factory overspray?

This is an engine out of a '48 Nash Amb***ador. Odometer reads little over 12k. Of course, I won't expect that to be accurate, but... Does this look factory to you? We pulled off the valve cover last night to take a peak at what we've got and found overspray on the valve springs. Seems to me this would have worn off with mileage, right? Can anyone shed some light on why these might have overspray on them?
Can't say much about the car, other than its general condition leads us to believe there is lower mileage on it.
Thanks!

Ben
Austin, TX

 

Maybe it was rebuilt at some point in its life and who ever did the work didnt bother to cover it either.

 

Original factory overspray? I doubt it, but you might try looking for a Nash-oriented forum and ask the question of them.

Personally, I think it was painted after a rebuild and the rebuilder didn't take the time or care enough about it to mask it off. It'd make me wonder if he did the rest of the rebuild in a hurry without paying attention to the details.

Just my opinion.

 

I'm pretty sure that a Nash had gray/green paint originally, and some had red valve covers. That looks like Ford Blue, and red oxide on the inside of the engine. Typical rebuilders work. The factory would have no reason to paint the engine with the valve cover off.
Put a 350 in it......

 

sheesh...

 

Any idea how long it takes for the paint to wear off after being sprayed if this is a rebuild? Just curious.. maybe we've got a decent mill here. No chance in hell we'd swap in an SBC.. Have you seen how amazing that engine looks with the aircleaner on it?

 

That paint will probably never wear off. There is nothing to wear against it, other than oil which might serve to encapsulate it.

 

Never seen anything like that from the factory. Somebody was lazy after it left the factory - twice.

 

Rebuilt it was then.. thanks for the diagnosis folks.