Correct paint for filter housing and header tank

I believe the air filter housing should be satin black, and the header tank should be gloss black. I just finished a long restoration on my Dino and that's what my restorer and I had determined after doing research.

 

Dinoguy2

I believe all the major black pieces in the engine compartment - air cleaner, air plenum, coolant reservoir - are supposed to be the same satin black. I found a terrific Rust-Oleum product several years ago "Ideal for Furniture, Fixtures, and Outdoor Decor," "Classic Low Sheen Finish," "Smooth Protective Enamel." The 12oz. spray cans are coded "7777 Black." Looks glossy when it goes on but dries perfectly to a satin finish. Just follow the instructions on the can. This has worked well for me over the years and at the recent 2006 FCA Annual Meet, I took a Platinum Award in class and the Dino Ferrari Award for "Best 2-series Dino." The judges loved the engine compartment so I must be doing something right!

Oh, don't forget to do the interior of your filter canister, too. The bottom of this area tends to collect moisture (when you wash the car, drive it in the rain, etc,) and will rust unless well protected. Start will a spray coat of Red Primer 7569 and follow with 7777.

Good luck,

Bill

 

Quite right, mine is still original and all elements satin black as you describe. I guess the paint you used has stood up to the heat.

 

My restorer has been working on Dinos for more than 30 years. He recalls near-new Dinos in his shop in the mid-70's with gloss black header tanks. I have also seen 2 Platinum-level Dinos in the Chicago area with gloss black header tanks. In one of Anthony Curtis's books on the Dino, there is a photo of an "original" Dino showing a glossy tank. However, I also have seen Dinos at Concourso Italiano with satin header tanks. I think this is another example of the phrase I have seen on this site - "In the world of Ferrari, there are sometimes no absolutes!"

 

Dignini,

No problem with engine heat for the Rust-Oleum for at least the last 10 years. I suspect Rust-O's spec for outdoor metal furniture paint calls for a simulated test for a black wrought iron chair on a patio in Phoenix, in the direct sunlight, 110 degree day. Chances are you'll get a bad burn if you touch that baby! Same might be true with the expansion tank, especially if the engine is overheated. Give it a try and let me know what happens! just kidding.

Dinoguy2, yeah, could be the early cars were glossy. I had a '72 in 1974-1976 but I don't recall the expansion tank finish. My current '74 has always been satin since I bought it in '77. I'll pay more attention to other Dinos and see if there is a trend with model years. I'm surprised we haven't had more responses to this thread. Keep what you have if your restorer can back up his research. What year is your car and who is the restorer?

Bill

 

I used Plasticote BBQ paint on the header tank of my 328 - almost perfect match for what was on there (satin black).

I.

 

Maybe this will help. My car is 100% original and unrestored.
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Not quite 100%, Your radiator hose clamps are non-original

Brian

 

You're right. 99.5%

 

Dinodan.

Based on the configuration of the firewall - no aluminum sheeting - and a few missing info/warning plates here and there, I'd guess this is an early Dino, maybe European specs. If so, it blows my theory about the early cars having a glossy finish on the expansion tank. Doesn't look too glossy to me. Can you confirm/deny my guess.

Bill

 

Bill:

Nope, not an early car. It's a '73, s/n 7412. You're correct that it is a European spec (actually GB RHD) car. That would probably account for the lack of warning plates and maybe the sheeting. Maybe US spec cars ran hotter and had the sheeting to reflect heat?....

If you look carefully, there's a plate affixed to the top of the plenum from the London Ferrari agents, H.R. Owen. My dad bought it new from them in early '74.

At least your expansion tank paint theory isn't shot full of holes!

Dan S

 

Is your firewall painted silver?

 

Are your gas tanks painted silver?

 

To DinoDriver -
My car is a 1972 Euro production coupe, # 04092, approx. June production. Restorer is in Northern Wisconsin. There may something to the previous comment about earlier cars having a gloss finish header tank. I also think that the euro cars made running changes that are sometimes difficult to document precisely. During the restoration, they removed several dents in the header tank, then stripped and repainted it. My restorer told me that it did not appear that the tank had been repainted, and that the original paint had a gloss finish. Hope this helps.

 

My new theory is, "Nothing is constant but change." Good luck!

Bill