Mustang Monthly

How to Paint Your Engine and Choose the Correct Color

The 289-2V V-8 replaced the 260-2V V-8 engine. Instead of the 260'slight blue valve covers and air cleaner, for 1965, the 289-2V had goldvalve covers and air cleaner. The 289-4V engine, with highercompression, four-barrel carburetion, and 225 horsepower, also receivedgold valve covers and air cleaner. If you have trouble remembering this,think of the 289 engine as the gold standard of Mustang power for 1965.The 289 High Performance for 1965 continued unchanged, with theexception of the alternator instead of a generator.

1966

For many years prior to 1966, Ford engines were color-keyed to specificapplications and carlines. For 1966, this practice changed, when allFord engines were painted Ford Corporate Blue. Instead of color-keyedvalve covers and air cleaners, the entire engine would be Ford Blue,like the Ford Blue Oval and the Ford Blue offset dealer signs popping upin 1966. Ford's message for 1966 and beyond was simple--if it is blue, itis power by Ford.

As in 1964-'65, Ford continued to paint the valve covers separate fromthe engines. Engine long-blocks, which included block, intake manifold,heads, and oil pan, were all painted Ford Blue, a darker blue thatcovered all hardware except the valve-cover bolts. Valve covers wereinstalled toward the end of engine assembly using natural metal boltswith integral lock washers. We've learned through observation andconversation with restorers that Duplicolor's Dark Ford Blue (1606) isan accepted color for '66 and later Ford engine restorations. Analternative, when Duplicolor isn't available, is Krylon's Dark FordBlue, which is also the correct shade of dark blue. Plastikote isanother paint brand, Royal Blue (1134) an acceptable color for '66 andlater.

1967

The engine lineup for 1967 didn't change much, with the exception of theoptional 390ci High Performance big-block from the FE-series family.Ford Blue was again a mainstay for all Ford engines, including the base200ci six, the base 289-2V small-block V-8, and the 225-horse 289-4Vengine with a new carburetor design--the Autolite 4300. The 271-horse 289High Performance returned for 1967 with mechanical lifters and a moreradical camshaft profile than its 2V and 4V sidekicks. However, thebiggest news for 1967 was the 325-horse 390, also clad in Ford Blue,with chrome stamped-steel valve covers and a chrome-toppedhigh-performance air cleaner.

1968

Base power for 1968 was again the 200ci six, with either Thermactor orIMCO emissions improvement systems. Although we tend to associate the289ci V-8 with the beginning of the '68 model year, it was offered andproduced for the entire model year. New for 1968 was the stroked 302cismall-block that would ultimately replace the 289. The optional 289 HighPerformance was dropped after 1967. Contrary to fantasies, there neverwas a 302 High Performance with a mechanical camshaft and special heads.The most we can dream about there is the 302 Tunnel Port HighPerformance V-8 Ford produced only for Trans-Am competition that year.

Back was the 390 High Performance with chrome-steel valve covers andair-cleaner lid. The 390 returned virtually unchanged for 1968. Thebiggest flash for 1968 was the 428 Cobra Jet introduced mid-year onApril 1, 1968. One engine we rarely hear about is the X code 390-2V V-8installed in a handful of Mustangs for 1968. What do all of theseengines have in common? They're all blue--Ford Blue--from air cleaner tooil pan.