Volucer Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 Hello experts, I am restoring in Italy my Saratoga C30 8L. I am about rebuilding the engine and gearbox (fluid drive). The engine head is red and the block looks to by sort of grey. Can somebody advice about the correct colors for the mechanics? I mean, engine, gearbox, axle, differential etc.. Thanks in advance, Shahar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 (edited) Silver engine/and head with black accessories. Edited November 21, 2016 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 As Keiser said, engine silver with black accessories. Transmission, differential etc were originally unpainted but if you want to paint them with the same silver paint no one will mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volucer Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 Thanks. It is clear that the head is red and the block looks silver/grey. Is that possible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volucer Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 Some photos of the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 That is a really cool car. I am jealous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 The 8 cylinder cars are very rare. That imperial sold out of Washington state last year and went to Europe too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 The engine was painted silver at the factory. The head was silver too. All painted at the same time. Then the accessories were added. Air cleaner, starter, generator, oil fill cap, all black. Distributor cap black plastic. Distributor unpainted iron. Fuel pump unpainted aluminum. Someone must have painted the head. Like a Ferrari Testa Rossa ha ha joke. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volucer Posted November 22, 2016 Author Share Posted November 22, 2016 If I am not wrong, A red head mean it is high compression engine. I don't remember where I read that. I will look for that article. Is that correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 If it is a high compression head it will have a different casting number on it, which may be the same as the part number. Does the parts book show a high compression head option? If it was painted in the same fashion as earlier engines, it was assembled, including water pump, manifolds, tappet covers and sump before being painted, so minimal masking was required. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 Red head was the indication of high compression on the CG/CL cars of the early 30s. I'm not sure how long Chrysler continued that practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volucer Posted November 26, 2016 Author Share Posted November 26, 2016 Thanks. I will check for the cast number and take some photos as after removing the engine and gearbox we also raised the head this week. We will open the oil sump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 Back in the 1920s and early 1930s you could get a "Silver Dome" engine or a "Red Head" engine. The Red Head was higher compression and required high octane fuel. They discontinued the high compression head before your car was built. It came with the whole engine painted silver. So, someone painted the head red some time in the last 75 years. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volucer Posted November 29, 2016 Author Share Posted November 29, 2016 Thanks all. Do you have any reference regarding to the right paint I should use (number etc)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 If you want to be a perfectionist you can order paint from Hirsh but it won't be much different from ordinary silver paint or aluminum paint from the hardware store. You do not need special engine paint or high temperature paint. Ordinary paint or rust paint is fine. The black accessories should be painted with semi gloss black. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volucer Posted December 1, 2016 Author Share Posted December 1, 2016 OK. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volucer Posted December 1, 2016 Author Share Posted December 1, 2016 What about engine spare parts, gasket set and oil seals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Many parts can be bought from your local NAPA or other good parts store. Then there is Andy Bernbaum in Massachusetts, Roberts Motor Parts and other specialists. A web search may turn up others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 Egge Machine can often supply engine parts, or make them. Olson's Gaskets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1941_Saratoga Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 You might also try AMS Obsolete (formerly Fred Mitchell) at http://www.amsnos.com/ . They had a few things I needed for my rebuild. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narve N Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 Chryslers of this era had optional aluminimum higher compression heads (=silver paint). I believe the standard version might have been red (at least my very untouched 1940 had an all red engine with black accessories) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volucer Posted December 5, 2016 Author Share Posted December 5, 2016 Good news. The head is for sure red. From the replies looks like it should be all red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HansKoenig Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Hi Shahar, this is Hans from Switzerland. A friend of mine bought a Chrysler New Yorker (8) C30N Business Coupé and started to restore it a couple of years ago but is still missing parts so I'm supporting him for the search. I'm wondering if we could work together in order to identify part suppliers? Personally I'm driving a 1949 Buick Super 56C. Where do you live in Italy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volucer Posted January 16, 2021 Author Share Posted January 16, 2021 Hello Hans, can you please contact me? With best regards, Shahar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now