Painted engine blocks?

I need some clarity on this. On older Ferraris in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, the factory painted the lower end of the engine blocks with silver paint… does anyone know if they continued the same painting practices on the 308 series including the QV’s engines? Has anyone painted their transfer cases and engine blocks with high temp silver paint or did you degreased everything to get the clean aluminum look back when you had your engine out?

 

308's had pressure cast aluminum pieces that NEVER received paint from the factory. It was only some gravity cast parts that received the paint but this practice was abandoned long before the first 308 was ever made.

 

Thanks Rob

 

That’s correct, the 308 and Mondial series cars pioneered a self-painting engine system that used regular engine oil ejected from various seals to give the aluminium a distinct hue. No paint required, saved (made) Enzo £££


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Several “restorers” do this. I think it’s totally lame. A supposedly reputable carb shop rebuilt my ‘77 carbs and painted the bodies during the rebuild. I was livid. Fortunately, the shop who contracted those clowns has a great reputation and deservedly so. As upset as I, they sent them elsewhere to be completely redone correctly. I’ve learned since to ask that nothing on my car be painted that wasn’t originally painted, when scheduling repairs, etc. I have noticed that some owners just don’t care though. A lot of buyers definitely do.

 

The only valid reason to paint an engine block would be if you wanted to make a glass topped coffee table out of it.

 

Indeed, and agree. In fact I was discussing this very subject with one of the top UK restorers the other day standing under a car on the ramp and looking up at a painted block. It just seems wrong to me.
When I did my 328 I had the cam covers, manifolds and belt covers vapour blasted and they look totally original and correct. The rest of the engine doesnt need any coating at all.