Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

weggman · Post by **weggman** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 2:27 pm

Hi all,
I'm in the process of restoring a teal 93 for the new owner. I'm assembling the motor currently
And since I didn't get a factory motor with this car. What is the correct color of this engine supposed to be? I know they had black valve covers is that correct for the heads and block. Where could I find this info? Great site thanks in advance for the help!

Z282SLO · Post by **Z282SLO** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 3:54 pm

The Cobra engine has black, stamped-steel valve covers over a cast-iron block and cylinder heads which are not painted or colored in any way.

Post by **1993cobra** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 6:21 pm

block and heads are rust colored

weggman · Post by **weggman** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 2:36 pm

So the whole engine was left unpainted except for the black valve covers? Does anyone know why?

Z282SLO · Post by **Z282SLO** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 4:24 pm

I'm guessing cost. We're talking Mustangs here, not Ferraris.

Post by **1993cobra** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 4:48 pm

Oil pan is black also.

tricyclerob · Post by **tricyclerob** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 4:41 pm

So this leads me to a question.

I'm "restoring" my engine compartment. As the block was unpainted and now has a rust "patina" would it be more correct to leave it rusted, as I'm sure they all did so after a few humid days, or paint with one of the "cast iron look" paints that would imitate the original appearance.

I'm not liking the idea of going through the effort to restore everything else and leaving a rusty block.

Opinions?

rob j

Z282SLO · Post by **Z282SLO** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 6:08 pm

^^^

If you're going for the "restored" and authentic look, leave the block alone. Nearly all Cobras with OEM engine blocks will have the "rust" patina due to the unfinished cast iron in the engine compartment, and these cars / properly restored cars won't have painted engine blocks. One of those "cast iron look" paints on the block won't look as authentic IMO.

tricyclerob · Post by **tricyclerob** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 8:03 pm

I guess it kinda depends on at what point in time you're restoring to. I wonder if the engines/blocks were already rusted when they came to the assembly line? Most castings have some residual surface oils which might have protected them for a little while.

I took delivery of mine 62 days after it was built. To be honest I don't remember the condition of the block, but, my gut feeling is it had not yet started to rust, as being a life-long motor head, I think I would have noticed that.

I wonder if anyone out there has a Cobra in a bubble that has not rusted?

robj

Z282SLO · Post by **Z282SLO** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 8:19 pm

tricyclerob wrote:I wonder if anyone out there has a Cobra in a bubble that has not rusted?

If anyone does, it is a hollow achievement. Because the only way to do have an engine block with no rust at all would mean the car was never driven, and where's the fun in that?

tricyclerob wrote:I guess it kinda depends on at what point in time you're restoring to.

Here's an idea. Take the car down to bare metal and remove the engine completely. You won't have to worry about the correct paint, etc. and you can say it was restored to a point on the assembly line before it was completely built!

tricyclerob · Post by **tricyclerob** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 11:38 pm

"Here's an idea. Take the car down to bare metal and remove the engine completely. You won't have to worry about the correct paint, etc. and you can say it was restored to a point on the assembly line before it was completely built!

[/quote]

Dang,

I never thought of that. I could get a bunch of Ford boxes and put all the parts inside!
Naa, that wouldn't work, I don't have enough shelf space.

All seriousness aside, I have a way to go before I have to decide on painting the block. I'll have to ponder that. Mine was a driver for about 8 years in the Northeast and it definitely took it's toll. It was actually my "company car".

I look at the number of Cobras out there that are from dry climates or babied from the start and mine would never be one of those. At least not without a near total disassembly and I'm not going there. Time for one thing and to be honest, the value of the car doesn't justify it, at least not at this point in time.

At the very least, I want to be able to raise the hood without "shame". And, keep everything looking as stock as possible, using as much OEM/NOS as possible.

robj

93Cobra#2771 · Post by **93Cobra#2771** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:21 pm

Sounds like you aren't going for a full on restoration/concours look.

How about getting the motor all nice and clean, and then simply do a flat clearcoat on top of the metal. It will seal it up, but still preserve that look.

Next thought is a medium grey, as I believe the OEM oil filters were that color as well...

Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Re: Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Re: Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Re: Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Re: Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Re: Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Re: Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Re: Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Re: Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Re: Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Re: Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?

Re: Factory color of cobra block? Black, gray?