Thoughts on engine color in a black engine bay

Several recent threads about engine bays, powder coating and engine block coating have got me thinking about something and was interested in what others thought about this. Mine is a 79 MGB LE with Moss SC and a black engine bay. I am giving some thought to on my future engine rebuild to powdercoating the engine block, valve cover, tappet cover side plates oil pan and timing chain cover with the Eastwood chrome to make the engine stand out in the dark bay. I know the purist are cringing but would love to hear everyones opinion and know if anyone has seen anything similar to this done before to an MGB or other like engine.

Chrome in and on black sounds like a great idea! Black in black is hard to find. And, for most purposes, I am a purist.

I am did my oil pan, pedal box, & heater box in Eastwood Mirror Black. The valve covers in single stage chrome. Any aluminum (which I am trying for the first time this week) in the natural blasted finish with a clear coat. My block will also be painted black.

Go For It, Its yours

Even tho' an 18V engine should be black, since it's in a black bay and it's an MG, I would vote maroon! My own personal preference, is to not paint the different parts of the engine different colors, I.E. tappet covers, oil pan, etc. By the time you put on the ancillaries, it gets too busy. I like to see the block one color (kinda like a canvas) then the parts, manifolds, alt, valve cover, all add to it.

Even a natural cast-iron color would look great in powder coat, but the chrome would really pop! An aluminum-type finish would look good too - throw on an aluminum head to match!

Hap probably has some slime green paint left over from his previous project! :D

Personally, I think having pretty much everything either chromed or polished detracts from the looks of the engine. On hot rods, I prefer the contrast of paint and chrome as opposed to those who overdo the chrome. I like the shiny stuff too, but I think it needs to have some contrasting color to really set it off. I'd at least keep the block and head painted...maybe the timing cover and water pump as well. Then add the bling to the accessories, brackets, etc.

How about a red engine? Not MG Maroon, but a nice bright cherry red. Another thing that might look nice would be to do the block, etc. in a kind of semi-gloss cast metal type of finish as a contract to the shiny stuff.

Red

I think a black engine in a black engine bay would be fine if you had some chrome and aluminum to set it off. A polished aluminum valve cover, chrome dashpot(s) on your carb(s), aluminum POR 15 on the exhaust manifold and heat shield or a nice polished stainless steel header with the same heat shield, a polished aluminum pulley set, etc. -all would be a nice contrast to the black color your LE engine deserves to keep. Yes, I'm a purist but don't mind changes that can be easily changed back to stock if one wants to do so. Good luck and send out photos of whatever you do so we can scruntize your work. :<)

Shawn Escue

I'd go with an all aluminum look or classic MG maroon.

How do you powder coat a block? It was hard enough to mask it off and paint it with POR15 Engine Paint with a brush. Can't imagine what over you would use to bake it unless you have professional gear.

It would take some serious out baking to degrease the pores on the casting. I know when I didi my oil pan it was degreased, glass beaded & visually spotless. I out baked it at 500* F & boy did that thing stink up the garage!!! Same when I did a set of valve covers. They do sell heat lamps to use but they are pricey.

I've always wanted a white engine just so I could show off that there are no leaks :)

Basil Adams Wrote:

Glossy Battleship Grey. A little chrome for accent.

I'm curious whether your whole car is black or just the engine bay. I caught a bit of grief on here for having a black engine compartment.