A question of taste... (or the lack thereof)

[Cowracer]

As you all know, I have my engine down at The Diesel Depot for a rebuild with all the bells and whistles. I was talking with Benny yesterday, and the question of color came up.

I was thinking that I would honor its 'lineage' by having them paint it that pale green that you see on big Detroit Diesels. If nothing else, its a great "in joke" for people who know diesels, and a subtle shot at the Ford crowd and their Navistar converted gasser motors that they all are so proud of. ("True Detroit Diesel from the ground up, Baby!")

But do you think that would look out of place on a dark blue truck? If so, what color should I paint it?

Finally, does ANYONE make some "bling-bling" for these motors. Ya know, billet or chrome bits and pieces. I know I can have the intake polished, but I was looking for more. I just dumped a metric ton of money into this thing, and to the casual observer, it will look just like any old dump truck motor.

Any suggestions will be appreciated!

Tim

[Dvldog 8793]

Howdy
The ONLY color to go with is Detroit Grn! I used it and it looks really cool. I can email you some pics of the engine if you want. I was going to have the stock Valve covers chromed but it was $$$$$ so went with the Green paint. I also have a Detroit sticker made for the valve covers. send me an email to the_janssens at earthlink.net and I'll get you some pics. Ya gotta do something to WOW em when you open the hood!
L8r
Conley Janssen

[gmctd]

Have the valve covers chromed.

The timing cover is aluminum - strip and polish it

Have the water-pump plate chromed

The several accessory brackets are aluminum - polish them

The turbo heat sheild is low-grade stainless - polish or chrome it.

The turbo compressor scroll is aluminum - polish it

Polish the upper plenum and intake manifold

Copper plate - or, gold - the inj pipes for some contrast

I'd go for the Detroit Diesel look, also..........

Almost fergot - ya need something Chevrolet Orange, also, as they were the division told to shape up (corporate average fuel economy) or ship out (the 350 and the 454).

[ 05-04-2005, 09:01 AM: Message edited by: gmctd ]

[chickenhunterbob]

in metric currency, that would be a tonne. smile.gif

eh

[JoeyD]

I would keep it black.

[dstoops]

The rebuilder painted mine black. I requested Chevy red/orange for the valve covers. Looks great but I kinda wish I'd had the whole thing red/orange. It would be easier to spot oil leaks etc.

[Billman]

I believe Chrome will retain more Heat.

My vote... Black. Very Black.

[mhagie]

My 6.5 from The Diesel Depot is the late 70's blue with the intake a silver that Benny supplied.
See my pics the engine is pictured there judge for yourself...........Merle

[john8662]

Chrome valve covers, while that would be cool, anyone know if the passengers side cover is going to be a problem. You know, it's all full of this metal mesh, that I don't think would take to kindly to the chrome. I'm gonna drag a set of covers down to my local chrome shop and see what they can do, I've been thinking how cool it will look. I've got the turbo heat shield here all mirror like sitting beside me smile.gif

[dieseldummy]

I painted mine black... I wish I would have gone more exotic. Cat yellow is always a conversation starter.

[CareyWeber]

This isn't my scout's SD33, but my kids think its cool.

http://www.binderbulletin.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9885

Carey

[gmctd]

Bend the tab, remove the mesh............

[moondoggie]

Good Day!

[i]

[More Power]

If I remember correctly, The Depot talked about offering chrome valve covers....

I would definitely get the exhaust manifolds ceramic coated silver. Dr. Lee's still looked great last summer, a couple years since having them done.

MP

[mhagie]

One more note on the ceramic coated manifolds when you go over them with a fine 3M pad it shines them up like they were chrome, a little trick from Benny.
Merle

[Peter J. Bierman]

Painted my TTD engine Volvo engine green..., just couse it was available.
Looks different, kinda like it.

Peter

[tom.mcinerney]

Agree with Dstoops that color should contrast with black oil leaks.
Mine mostly BenjaminMoore Industrial Urethane [dark Green] , but with vac pump a light color for visibility, and contrasting shades on accessory mtg brackets, so as to see at a glance what-is-what when troubleshooting/disassembling.
I hate painting...but the time it saves cleaning justifies in long run. The torque values on painted stuff will relax as paint settles.
The alternator bracket and thermo Xover will need bright surfaces beneath grounding eyelets.

Maybe a polished timing cover and turbo heat shield, all remainder painted, might be choice?

Since hood ornaments have been discontinued with respect to aerodynamic efficiency constraints , you may need a bulldog on the upper plenum ....

There is NO sensible requirement that the underhood decor 'match' the exterior. Think Freud-
Further, blue goes with anything. Think sunset-

[NH2112]

A friend painted his 6.5l Detroit Green, with the valve covers done in a "hammer tone" finish. Brackets are black, the Fisher plow pump is yellow, the aluminum stuff is all polished. It looks pretty nice, not too showy but not too dull.