54 engine paint

Chris Smith

Has anybody has come up with a close match to the 54 red engine color. I have tried the y block ford red and it's too orange. I would say the Hudson red is closer to a Cherry red. I wonder how durable a custom blended two stage paint would be given it is not a high temp paint. Any Ideas? Also does anyone know if molded radiator hoses are avaliabe for step downs?

[Deleted User]

I used VHT brake caliper red on my engine.
Bob

464Saloon

When I stripped my engine for rebuild the origional color appeared to be a red orange. I painted mine with Duplicolor 500 degree engine paint Ford Red. Looked very close to what was origionally on the block. Also helped the bright red stand out on the Twin H.

mars55

Chris Smith wrote:

Also does anyone know if molded radiator hoses are avaliabe for step downs?

You can use these numbers for 1948 - 1954. Upper: Cut to length (All). Gates 21794 or NAPA NBH 8484, Gates 21660 or NAPA NBH 7096 (This is a '48 Chevy lower radiator hose).



For the lower radiator hose with the steel tube, try Gates 24224 or NAPA NBH 632.

Chris Smith

Bob, did you use the VHT on the air cleaners also? That caliper paint idea left me asking myself why I didn't think of that ? LOL I used the Ford red on the timing cover, water pump and oil pan when I had them off and It would work in a pinch but I would like a darker red. I will compare the VHT to the y block ford red and share the result. 464Saloon are you saying you used the ford red on the air boxes also to match the engine? Im just not sure if the air box red originally matched the engine red. Mars55, thank you so much for the hose numbers.

[Deleted User]

Chris, I did not paint my air cleaner yet but when I do it will be a silver gray, as I do not have the Twin-H, and the 2bbl air cleaner is a silver gray. I did use he VHT color on the intake ( because of the closeness of the exhaust ) as well as the block and it is holding up very well.
Bob