Galactusz

I have another question...

When painting the engine block (I will be using primer and then Rustoleum engine paint)...

...should I also paint the aluminum heads or leave them as is?

tx65coupe

I have blue Accel spark plug wires, and wish they were black.

I left my aluminum heads in natural form.

Galactusz

THAT LOOKS SWEEEEEEEET!!!!

I wanna be like you, lol.

Mmm, perhaps non-painted aluminum heads will indeed look nicer...besides...I hear paint doesn't adhere to aluminum as good as iron.

Thanks, awesome engine bay!!!

120mm

I am thinking of not painting it at all, except where there is bare metal. The yellow is original and nicked up a bit, but to me, paint is primarily a protectant.

On painting aluminum, I am an Aviation Mechanic in another life, and if you prep it correctly, aluminum will take paint quite well.

120mm

Since paint is missing along the rocker panels, I am going to paint those black, since paint matching is not a realistic possibility with a 46 year old paint job.

Galactusz

You should paint your ride flat black, it would suit both your personality and look, like Mad Max' Interceptor.

Diputado

Looks like you already have enough opinions..but here's mine. I say...it's YOUR car...do what the hell YOU want with it. Coincidentally, I did pretty much that same dress-up combo on my '65 289. Engine is painted Ford blue, with those black/aluminum Cobra-style valve covers, and a round 13" Edelbrock chrome air cleaner. I have a Weiand Stealth aluminum intake on it, but I painted it blue, too. Looks great, at least to me! Would include a photo here, but haven't quite figured out how to embed one here. Hey, part of the fun of haivng these old Mustangs is all the cool things you can do with them!

Diputado

Oh, yeah...almost forgot. I noticed the comment by 120mm about aluminum taking paint well. I agree. To paint my new aluminum intake, I first scrubbed the hell out of it with a stiff plastic bursh and 91% rubbing alcohol. Once it was good and dry, I sprayed 2 coats of a self-etching metal primer. I then sprayed 3 light coats of high-temp engine enamel. THEN...took an electric blowdryer and blew hot air through it for about a half hour until it was too hot to touch. Once it cooled down...it had a really nice paint job.

120mm

I would recommend hitting it with Alumaprep first

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo.../alumiprep.php

Then hit it with Alodine

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...lodine1201.php

Then your aluminum surface will accept primer and paint. Easy-peasy.

Galactusz

Diputado, I'd love to see your engine bay...just post the link...no need to embed anything...that would rule.

And thanks for the advise as well...agreed.

I decided not to paint the aluminum heads...they are too pretty in all their natural glory, lol.