ENGINE OVERSPRAY ON ALUM INTAKES

[Ron C.]

Im at the point where the engine for my 67Z is getting ready for paint and im wondering if the aluminum intake gets a little overspray of orange on the front? anyone know if the Hi Perf cars with the aluminum intakes get overspray?

[JohnZ]

Yes, some minor overspray is normal on all four edges of the intake and on the bypass hose, fitting and clamps, all of which were in place when the engine was painted; a vacuum-formed plastic mask was used during painting, but it wasn't always a perfect fit around the edges.

[Ron C.]

Thanks John, I was wondering how it was done in 67.

[nuch_ss396]

Yes, some minor overspray is normal on all four edges of the intake and on the bypass hose, fitting and clamps, all of which were in place when the engine was painted; a vacuum-formed plastic mask was used during painting, but it wasn't always a perfect fit around the edges.

John,

Interestingly enough, my research into the intake vac-forms seemed to show that as they aged ( painted over & over again ), they actually started to
rool back on the edges.  That might explain why some engines have more overspray than others.  At some point in the process, the vac-forms were
simply replaced.  I'd love to see a picture of this process or find an original vac-form some day.

Steve