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Topic: engine color

in Forum: C3 Engines

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engine color (1/21)
4/8/07 5:22am

buddb47
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Joined: 2/2/2007
Posts: 5

I have an 78 silver ann. the engine (L 82) is black with the black valve covers > is this the correct color. Only pictures i have seen are the smaller v8 and it is blue? I have been told it is correct but just wondering.

Thanks Bud

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engine color (2/21)
4/8/07 5:44am

lukesvette

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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Sounds like the markings of a crate engine possibly...are the valve covers steel stamped covers or are they aluminum finned?

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engine color (3/21)
4/8/07 6:44am

Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior

Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

I have a '78 L82...the correct color is corporate blue with black ribbed valve covers with the edges of the ribs natural silver. I've seen where the original calve covers could be either aluminum or magnesium...I have not seen a definitive answer to which.

A black painted block does sound like it's a crate engine.

engine color (4/21)
4/8/07 7:35am

DaveM

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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.

Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2553

My '82 is black, which is correct. I don't know when they switched to black.

Dave

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Dave's '82

engine color (5/21)
4/8/07 9:06am

Sarge81

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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

[QUOTE=DaveM]My '82 is black, which is correct. I don't know when they switched to black.

Dave

[/QUOTE]

According to 442.com- all GM engines were painted black starting in 1983.

I have an original dealer brochure for the 82 vette. The engine shown in detail was blue. And a few '82's I've checked out at cruises, the engines are blue.

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engine color (6/21)
4/8/07 9:08am

Bob Griffiths

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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
Frederick County Corvette Club (Maryland) Tan 64 365 Hp Conv 4 sp Red 72 4 sp Conv ..running a '68 327 Blue 76 Coupe L 48 4 sp White 79 Coupe L 82 auto Silver 98 Conv, 6 sp 35th Anniv '88 vette

Joined: 2/20/2003
Posts: 548

Engine BLUE

L48 Valve Covers BLUE

L=82 Valve Covers BLACK ...fins silver

Bob G.

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engine color (7/21)
4/8/07 9:21am

art-corvette
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Joined: 8/16/2005
Posts: 242

my 78 l-82 is originaly blue

engine color (8/21)
4/8/07 10:06am

cilrah

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Port Orchard, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Indy Pace Car 4851 of 6502, Auto, L-48

Joined: 6/20/2005
Posts: 4066

Yes all are correct all the L48 & L82's were Corporate Blue. The valve covers on the L48 were blue with the L82 being black alluminum like these. The intake manifold on the L48 was also blue where the L82 was alluminum like in the picture. cilrah2007-04-08 10:12:16

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engine color (9/21)
4/8/07 10:44am

crossfire1982
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Cramerton, NC - USA

Vette(s):
black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion

Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094

My 1982 engine is blue with black finned valve covers

engine color (10/21)
4/8/07 11:34am

gs77vet
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Joined: 3/19/2005
Posts: 385

I thought the L48 engine is blue with blue covers, L82 engine is blue with magnesium with ribbed covers?????????? Gene

engine color (11/21)
4/8/07 5:48pm

lukesvette

Gene - I believe you're correct.

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engine color (12/21)
4/8/07 6:00pm

DaveM

That's strange, I know some '82's and they have black engines Confused

. The engine in an '82 is the L83. I know I read somewhere that the engine should be black, but who knows? It does have the finned valve covers, black with the edges unpained.

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Dave's '82

engine color (13/21)
4/9/07 9:07am

aceinthehole

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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed

Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

I hear ya Dave. I read everything I can about C3's but I seem to retain some questionable info .

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engine color (14/21)
4/9/07 9:55am

DaveM

I found out that the early production had blue engines and the later ones had black. So it seems everyone is correct Clap

.

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Dave's '82

engine color (15/21)
5/10/07 2:47pm

SilverStreak

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Oceanside, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary model. Original L82 engine, 700r4 trans, edelbrock intake, thorly headers, rack&pinion steering, mono rear and front spring, MSD 6A box

Joined: 11/19/2003
Posts: 191

Just looking through old threads and seen this one. I have a 78 SA L-82, engine numbers match for orginal engine. The enging is BLACK the valve covers are black finned. Don't know if engine was overhualed and painted or not.

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engine color (16/21)
5/10/07 3:08pm

Chips58
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Australia

Vette(s):
71 Coupe Black on Black

Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535

I'm glad I own a '71 where everything is Chevy Orange.

engine color (17/21)
5/10/07 3:52pm

71Shark
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Edmond, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1971 Brands Hatch Green L48 Coupe Automatic Driver - restored 1995

Joined: 7/13/2006
Posts: 400

Chevy Orange is king. Wouldn't have it any other way!!

engine color (18/21)
5/11/07 2:22pm

1969 L46
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Jefferson City, MO - USA

Vette(s):
1969 L46 4 Speed Roadster

Joined: 3/9/2007
Posts: 150

Ditto. I love Chevy Orange on a block. It just pops!

engine color (19/21)
5/15/07 9:03am

VETTERBOB

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DUNEDIN, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1969 COUPE CORTEZ SILVER, BRIGHT BLUE INTERIOR 383 cu. in. 512 HP. Hooker headers w/ side pipes PS PS AC AM FM STEREO. 68,000.MILES C5 5oth Anniversary Coupe , auto.350hp

Joined: 10/22/2004
Posts: 833

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engine color (20/21)
5/15/07 9:20am

Ten15
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East Hanover, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
'68 Black Conv. Matching 327/300 4 Spd. P/S, P/B, P/W, Tele, A/C

Joined: 9/25/2004
Posts: 525

I've been told that one of the reasons that they switched to the black engine color was because it didn't show oil leaks & dirt build up like the orange & blue did.

Another is that the black engines helped to disipate heat.

I dont know about the heat part, but the leak part makes sense.

engine color (21/21)
5/15/07 9:31am

dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe

Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841

I'd rather have a color that shows the leaks. Then I could fix them before they get on my floor or driveway.

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