Paint in Engine Block

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David Embery
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Paint in Engine Block

#1 Post by David Embery »

My 1850 engine is now completely in bits and going through a full re-build.

As you can see from the attached picture, the inside of the block appears to have been painted black. This seems rather odd to me and my uneducated mind. In that, I am thinking in terms of the strong possibility of paint either dissolving in high heat and/or chipping off and then maybe blocking oil ways and subsequently leading to various parts of the engine suffering from oil starvation etc.

Does anyone know if I am right to be concerned? Should I immediately rush out and buy huge quantities of paint stripper to get the stuff off, or, is it a factory originating substance that I should just leave alone and carry on with the engine re-build with a confident peace of mind?

Any help/advice/guidance in answering my question would be gratefully received.

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Philip Larmour
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Re: Paint in Engine Block

#2 Post by Philip Larmour »

David Embery wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 12:03 pm My 1850 engine is now completely in bits and going through a full re-build.

As you can see from the attached picture, the inside of the block appears to have been painted black. This seems rather odd to me and my uneducated mind. In that, I am thinking in terms of the strong possibility of paint either dissolving in high heat and/or chipping off and then maybe blocking oil ways and subsequently leading to various parts of the engine suffering from oil starvation etc.

Does anyone know if I am right to be concerned? Should I immediately rush out and buy huge quantities of paint stripper to get the stuff off, or, is it a factory originating substance that I should just leave alone and carry on with the engine re-build with a confident peace of mind?

Any help/advice/guidance in answering my question would be gratefully received.

Image
All of my race mortors have been painted inside the block. AFAIK that was how the factory made them. The advantage is that it helps the oil to flow back to the sump. I have never had any issues with paint flacking off or chipping and contaminating the oil.
Philip
David Embery
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Posts: 63
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:32 am

Re: Paint in Engine Block

#3 Post by David Embery »

Many thanks for coming back to me Philip. Much appreciated as it gives me some confidence to proceed with the engine rebuild as it is.
David Embery
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Posts: 63
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:32 am

Paint in Engine Block

#4 Post by David Embery »

Went to Halesowen Engines today and they advised that I will never get the black paint off with conventional techniques, such as paint stripper etc. It was factory applied and was Triumph’s equivalent to red oxide paint. Apparently, some manufacturers painted inside engines with red oxide and others, like Triumph, painted the inside of their engines using a very similar oxide substance that will only eventually shift after rigorous blasting, direct application of extreme intensive heat etc. The advice I’ve had is to leave it be. There should be no problems and my Engine will be fine after its rebuild. :D
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Re: Paint in Engine Block

#5 Post by new to this »

David Embery wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 3:16 pm Went to Halesowen Engines today and they advised that I will never get the black paint off with conventional techniques, such as paint stripper etc. It was factory applied and was Triumph’s equivalent to red oxide paint. Apparently, some manufacturers painted inside engines with red oxide and others, like Triumph, painted the inside of their engines using a very similar oxide substance that will only eventually shift after rigorous blasting, direct application of extreme intensive heat etc. The advice I’ve had is to leave it be. There should be no problems and my Engine will be fine after its rebuild. :D
Are you having a full rebuild ? heads and block

Dave
David Embery
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Re: Paint in Engine Block

#6 Post by David Embery »

Yes Dave. Complete rebuild from scratch re 1850 slant 4. Also, new three rail gear box with overdrive and new suspension all round with all new Polybushes. Looking forward to the new year and 1st drive. What is happening with your Dolly?
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Re: Paint in Engine Block

#7 Post by new to this »

David Embery wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:07 pm Yes Dave. Complete rebuild from scratch re 1850 slant 4. Also, new three rail gear box with overdrive and new suspension all round with all new Polybushes. Looking forward to the new year and 1st drive. What is happening with your Dolly?
Made a baffled sump for mine, and finishing off body work got the rear inner arches to do and one outer arch then paint
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