Why so many Orange V6's?

[AZKen]

I have learned here that they were red. Why do I see so many Chevy Orange 305 V6's in photos here and on the internet. Did owners paint them when rebuild? Are some years orange? Is it the camera? Getting ready to paint Duplicolor 1605 Ford Red as per this Forum. 305E. "Throw me a bone here people".

[Funky61]

Why do I see so many Chevy Orange 305 V6's in photos here and on the internet?

Not concerned with originality, "thought it was a ch##y", owner preference...

Did owners paint them when rebuild?

probably, I would have...but I'd do the red.

Are some years orange?

I think the last few years may have been; I think BigBlockV6 mentioned that fact.

Is it the camera?

sometimes those cameras and light conspire to produce that which we did not intend

Better the red instead...

[AZKen]

OK, oil pan started. thanx

[bigblockv6]

Al lot of times it is the camera but not always. Generally 1960-72 GMC V6 engines were painted basically a brick red part no. 2233502, this color was also used on 1955-59 GMC trucks with the Pontiac based V8 engines. I've got a 66 351E that has the original paint on it and it's not the GMC red rather it matches up to Duplicolor Chevrolet Moly orange red, very possible there may have been a shortage of the red or just an inconsistency in batches of paint. Many people out there will simply paint the engine after rebuilding it Moly orange, there were two versions of the Chevrolet orange and both come in Duplicolor. The first being the burnt orange known as Moly orange the other just mention previously is the Moly orange red. In 1973-74 GMC painted all their V6 engines installed in Medium and Heavy duty trucks the Chevrolet Moly orange, since all engines in both truck divisions were incorporated and no longer did you see the "GMC"logo stamped in the valve cover starting in 1972, instead a "V6" logo was stamped in the valve cover. What was odd is replacement engines were still painted GMC red.

[bigblockv6]

Originally Posted by bigblockv6

Al lot of times it is the camera but not always. Generally 1960-72 GMC V6 engines were painted basically a brick red part no. 2233502, this color was also used on 1955-59 GMC trucks with the Pontiac based V8 engines. I've got a 66 351E that has the original paint on it and it's not the GMC red rather it matches up to Duplicolor Chevrolet Moly orange red, very possible there may have been a shortage of the red or just an inconsistency in batches of paint. Many people out there will simply paint the engine after rebuilding it Moly orange, there were two versions of the Chevrolet orange and both come in Duplicolor. The first being the burnt orange known as Moly orange the other just mention previously is the Moly orange red. In 1973-74 GMC painted all their V6 engines installed in Medium and Heavy duty trucks the Chevrolet Moly orange, since all engines in both truck divisions were incorporated and no longer did you see the "GMC"logo stamped in the valve cover starting in 1972, instead a "V6" logo was stamped in the valve cover. What was odd is replacement engines were still painted GMC red.

Funky 61, Definitely paint your engine 1605 Ford red, it's a better looking color and a dead ringer for the GMC red!!

[6066gmcguy]

In the Photos below you can see side by side of Chevy Orange & GMC Red {Ford Red 1605}. The Rocker Cover is painted red on top and Orange on the side, but the camera angle makes it look like it about the same color.

[AZKen]

Started paint job. Compared to engine stand red, it does have an orange ish hue. The cleaning was a chore. Finally bought a HF air needler to get down in spark plug recesses (with old plugs installed). Worked really great on other tight areas also. $23 with coupon.

[6066gmcguy]

That oil pan photo looks red onthe side and orange on the bottom...

[GMCNUT]

I remember Pete Chronis mixing a custom copy to some factory applied 305 engine paint, and it was an orange color - not red if I remember right. This was years ago when we had the old forum. At the time, you could pay Pete seems like and he would get it made for you and send it , because I started to buy some. I would not think Ford Red would be exactly correct. I have had 4 or 5 305 and 351 V6 engines with production dates of 1960-1966 and all w/ factory paint and all appeared to be closer to the "Red-Orange" engine spray can colors commonly available at most parts stores.

[bigblockv6]

I would like to clarify this, yes I did custom match the GMC Red against one of my 478's that had under 10,000 miles on it. Realistically there is not much difference between the GMC Red and the Duplicolor 1605 Red other than just a slight amount of orange tint in the GMC Red that's only visible to someone that matches paint colors for a living. Once the engine gets some miles on it the orange will be noticeable. The bigger difference is the spray can paint is it's too glossy while GM tended to make their engine colors semi gloss, when making a custom match in Acrylic Urethane I would add the right amount of flattening agent to the paint to achieve a semi gloss finish.