MrLPeezy Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 I hope I’m posting this in the correct space. A friend and I are currently restoring my 1972 Monte Carlo Custom. It has the 350 w/ 4bbl, built out of Van Nuys, CA. My Aunt and Uncle bought it new 72. That I have been told, nothing major has been replaced, such as the engine block or transmission… but… why is the engine block painted blue? Shouldn’t it be Chevy Orange? Am I just trippin’? I want the final product to look as stock as can be. So did these come off the line with a blue engine block? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 Chevy engines were painted the "Chevy orange" from I believe 1956 ish till mid 1970s ish. Then Chevy painted the engines blue, then on to the "corporate black". Check the numbers on the block, below the head, behind the alternator on the pad. See if they match the last 6 of the vin of the car. Also later engines had 5.0 or 5.7 cast into the block behind the distributor by the transmission on the driver's side. Also check the block number cast on the passenger side of the block behind the distributor by the trans. That will tell you the years the block was used and on what displacement. Also a lot of mid 70s v-8 Chevy engines were even smaller displacement than the 5.0/305. They were 267s and all painted blue. Hopefully somewhere along the line the original engine was painted blue for whatever reason. I hope this helps. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72-CLASSIC_RIDE Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 1 hour ago, MC1of80 said: Chevy engines were painted the "Chevy orange" from I believe 1956 ish till mid 1970s ish. Then Chevy painted the engines blue, then on to the "corporate black". Check the numbers on the block, below the head, behind the alternator on the pad. See if they match the last 6 of the vin of the car. Also later engines had 5.0 or 5.7 cast into the block behind the distributor by the transmission on the driver's side. Also check the block number cast on the passenger side of the block behind the distributor by the trans. That will tell you the years the block was used and on what displacement. Also a lot of mid 70s v-8 Chevy engines were even smaller displacement than the 5.0/305. They were 267s and all painted blue. Hopefully somewhere along the line the original engine was painted blue for whatever reason. I hope this helps. My 72 Custom came out of Van Nuys with Blue painted 350 CI block and was factory installed, original to the car. Probably not helping clearing up any confusion. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 Never heard that. Definitely possible. California does wierd $&@#. Lol 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 I’ve never seen or heard of a blue engine in a first gen Monte. Chevy engines were not blue until the mid 70’s. I would check the numbers on the block. https://www.firstgenmc.com/forums/index.php?/resources/decodingengine/ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 A “ci” block would be a warranty exchange done at a dealership under factory gm warranty or customer purchased it after the warranty expired and replaced it. It is no longer “original “. But a correct dated “ci” block is acceptable for restoration purposes, based on everything I’ve read. My chevelle has a “ci” dated late 71 and I was told it works for restoration. Edit in. Actually now that I think of it it should be “ ce”. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72-CLASSIC_RIDE Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 8 hours ago, Canuck said: I’ve never seen or heard of a blue engine in a first gen Monte. Chevy engines were not blue until the mid 70’s. I would check the numbers on the block. https://www.firstgenmc.com/forums/index.php?/resources/decodingengine/ I remember browsing over maintenance receipts that came with the car when I purchased it and I believe the Engine, while still original (matching Serial Numbers), may have had an overhaul around 50,000 miles. While I saw no evidence of orange paint on engine block, can't rule it out. Tried posting a pic of engine bay but not letting me at the moment. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 Engines were all painted orange at the engine plant in Tonawanda, I was there late 72 or early 73 and they were all orange. 6 cyl. Small blocks and big blocks that is. I don't think they painted the Vega motors as I remember. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 My 76 Malibu Classic with 305 had a blue engine. Some google searches suggest 77 was the start, but another said mid-76 as well. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-general/3274312-orange-blue-engine-block.html#post1583945136 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrLPeezy Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 Well, I found that it was a 3970010 block and just when you think you know everything that you need to know about a car… here comes the wrench in the story! It’s a warranty replacement block from what I can find online. Cast # 3970010, Block was cast 06/10/75, the engine ID shows it was built out of Flint, on 06/25/75 and the last three are CMJ. I don’t know what else this means other than… do I paint the engine blue or orange??? Stock would be blue… but does it matter at this point??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 I'd paint it orange, to match the era of the car . 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 Ch- chevelle mc- Monte pa- passenger car. ( didn’t all cars carry passengers lol ). I agree with Joe paint it orange I don’t think it was a warranty replacement just replaced sometime in its history, probably just a used engine that was bought. IMO. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 Cmj is a 74 350. If the cmj is on the pad behind the alternator. Bottom of page.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Boyte Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 I too would paint it orange !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrLPeezy Posted February 22 Author Share Posted February 22 (edited) 5 hours ago, Michael Boyte said: I too would paint it orange !! Yes, CMJ was on the pad behind the alternator, no vin next to the engine ID. I appreciate everyone’s feedback! Edited February 22 by MrLPeezy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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