I'm rebuilding my 289 and painting the block/heads/oil pan/water pump in the "Old Ford Blue" color. I'm putting an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold on top and trying to decide if I should paint it or leave it bare.

I went to the Summit "Monday Night Cruise In" this week and checked out the engines. Looks like, for the most part, folks leave em bare... but I did see a couple of em painted.

 

i voted for start a poll and wait.

me, i would leave it bare, others might disagree. it's your car, do whatever you want to it. you could paint it, sit it in without bolting it in and see how it looks and if you don't like it (take a pic with and without paint to compare side by side) get aircraft stripper and strip the paint off.

 

My personal opinon, if youre going to do anything with it, then polish it.

 

consider "chrome" powder coat if you don't mind the $.

 

endurashine? (chrome like but wont oxidize or w/e chrome does [&:])

 

I think polished aluminum looks great. Painting it would only cover up the beauty of it, and will probably peel off in a matter of time.

 

You can always buff it for a polished aluminum look. If you paint it, after a few years you will have to redo it.

 

Might as well leave it bare. It is not factory so you don't get points for painting it. Go with the performance look and leave it aluminum. Clean is mean!!!

 

wash it down with some phosphoric acid(ospho) then douse it in a non gloss clear like the east wood company sell or por15's that way it will not oxidize up on u

 

I bead blasted mine then painted it black to match the engne but Im going for the look stock and carry a big stick look