Lagondaforum

Subject: Engine and head colour

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Preparing the engine to be revised it will soon be the moment to decide for the colour of head and engine. Were they both red or red head and black engine ?
The head now has red color braking away, that seems to be already a respray. The remains of colour on the block after some cleaninng: see attached image

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Subject: Re: Engine and head colour

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Here is the post from Nigel Hall, moved to the right topic:

Pale grey was original, I think. My own black block and head colour was influenced by the biblical 'Restoration of vintage and thoroughbred cars' by wheatley and morgan, and is hard to dislike. Bright colours are very bad news. (Discuss!) I think Someone Who Knows About These Things (i.e.Arnold) should hand down a judgement on the right shade of grey.
Pet hate: if engine polishing is to be done, do it consistently over the whole issue. I've seen too many engines with rocker covers almost like chrome and the rest getting progressively grottier as they get down to the harder to get at areas towards the sump. Go for a one-of-a-piece look. And don't chrome things that weren't. Although surprising amounts of 'show finish' chrome was applied, presumably to special request. Engine finish: please give strong views! It won't be the first time I've been told I'me writing rubbish! Who got this website organised eventually? Well done! Nigel Hall

Subject: Re: Engine and head colour

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Thank you Nigel, I will go for grey.

Concerning polishing engine parts: I do not like these overpolished aluminium and brass parts. I do not think our engines were polished when they were young. Nice examples not overpolished are in Arnold Daveys 2, 3 3 and 3/12 liter book e.g. on pages 49, 170.

Another thing on engine looks is the SU carburettor domes, I do not know if they originally all were black, but I really like it.

Subject: Re: Engine and head colour

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When did they stop hand scraping the valve and tappet covers?

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Subject: Re: Engine and head colour

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When did they stop hand scraping the valve and tappet covers?

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Subject: Re: Engine and head colour

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Hello
I don't think they did stop 'hand scrapping' the rocker covers or cam covers. I think with time and restoration most of the original hand scrapping has become lost with polishing.
If you want the 'hand scrapping' look it is possible to achieve and you should contact Brian Savill as to how best to achieve it as he has done on both of his 16/80's.
I think Brian will also know the correct shade of grey engine paint to apply.
Best Wishes
Chris

P.S. SU carbs would have been enamelled black