smitty city
Member
i am restoring a 48 f1 with a flathead six. what is the correct color of the engine and transmission?
thanks, mike
thanks, mike
engine color
- Thread starter smitty city
- Start date
Capn John
Well-known member
Engine Colour List
This colour list was composed of data from two separate sources.
Accuracy for Canadian production is unknown.
YEAR
FORD
MERCURY
TRUCKS
COMMERCIAL
1932
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1933
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1934
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1935
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1936
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1937
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1938
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1939
Dark Green
Dark Green
Dark Green
Dark Green
1940
Dark Green
Dark Green
Dark Green
Dark Green
1941
Dark Green or Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Green
Dark Blue
1942
Dark Green
Dark Blue
Dark Green or Dark Blue
Dark Blue
1943
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
1944
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
1945
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
1946
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
1947
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
1948
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Deep Red
1949
Dark Blue
Green
Dark Blue or Green
Deep Red
1949 1/2
Bronze
Green
Bronze or Green
Deep red
1950
Bronze
Green
Bronze or Green
Deep Red
1951
Bronze
Green
Bronze or Green
Deep Red
1952
Tangerine or Green*
Tangerine or Green*
Green*
Green*
1953
Tangerine or Green*
Tangerine or Green*
Green*
Green*
1954
Green*
Green*
Green*
Green*
* Krylon green #2007
The Colour Disclaimer!
by Doug Giesbrecht
There is a point or two you may want to consider. The list compiled on this web site is made up of two sources of facts which coincide with each other. There were however "facts" which did not match, but I chose to state what seemed to be majority findings. One of the sources was direct from the Early Ford V8 Club of America, whom I surmised would be knowledgeable as to what most flathead equipped cars or trucks would have for engine colour.
Another thing to consider is the reliability of the human memory. You may have been told that your truck or car once belonged to Grandpa and he never had the engine out. A more accurate statement would most likely be "to my knowledge" Grandpa never had the engine out, which could mean that they never saw the vehicle without an engine, during a swap. An engine swap only takes a couple days so it could happen rather quickly, but to the party whose memory serves him, they would not have been around the subject 100% of the time to be able to honestly quote the accurate fact that the engine in it now is the original one. Even to a young family member whose father may have owned the truck or car. Their knowledge would be that it may have broken down a few times and they remember dad working on it for a couple of days, but the engine that is in it looks the same as the one that was always in there. Consider the colour of all the engines you remember as you were a child. Can you recall the colour of each?
If the person's memory who has stated the vehicle is all original, is indeed perfect, there is another consideration. Did Dad or Grandpa buy it new? It may have come off a new car lot, but as we know, trade-ins have been around for a long time. As well as the fact that stuff happens even to brand new engines and again history reveals that the Flathead V8 is far from being a perfect design and has been known to overheat and leak oil even when rebuilt or new. All it would take is an extended trip with an idiot at the wheel of a truck or car which burns or leaks a little oil and POOF! I think you get the picture.
The engine in your truck or car may have been swapped for an engine out of say a combine or industrial compressor for example, not to mention your truck could have a car engine and vise versa. Or maybe a particular engine rebuilder, long since disappeared, used that colour on their reconditioned engines as their trademark.
The terms Dad or Grandpa in the above, could easily be interchanged with uncle, aunt, neighbour or original owner.
I strongly suggest comparing your engine colour to other trucks or cars of the same year in your area. Go take a look at a few advertised for sale and in original or restored condition. Consider the above possibilities as you do so though.
In all reality the colour of your engine, once you restore it is going to be the one that makes you happy. It is not dependent on what others are going to say to you, once you've made your decision.
As far as me being absolutely sure? I too am going by what has been stated as fact to me, but does that mean it is the absolute truth? I think not. One thing is for sure though. "The truth is out there". I hope these words have served to assist and not confuse. The List is compiled based upon facts in the majority. Unfortunately I don't have any colour codes, that will take some further research on your part. I wouldn't want to deprive you of ALL your fun.
*I don't know if you could get a Mercury engine as an option in a Ford truck. If you could, the Ford truck engine could have either colour. The Mercury truck would have the same engine colour as the Mercury car of that year except for 1939-41.This colour chart was compiled by Doug Giesbrecht. Doug cannot answer questions regarding this chart and suggests that if you do have further questions about engine colours that you contact the Early Ford V-8 Club of America for advice.
In 48 226
I used dupli color spray
FORD RED
DE 1605
ENGINE ENAMEL
This colour list was composed of data from two separate sources.
Accuracy for Canadian production is unknown.
YEAR
FORD
MERCURY
TRUCKS
COMMERCIAL
1932
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1933
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1934
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1935
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1936
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1937
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1938
Dark Green
N/A
Dark Green
Dark Green
1939
Dark Green
Dark Green
Dark Green
Dark Green
1940
Dark Green
Dark Green
Dark Green
Dark Green
1941
Dark Green or Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Green
Dark Blue
1942
Dark Green
Dark Blue
Dark Green or Dark Blue
Dark Blue
1943
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
1944
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
1945
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
1946
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
1947
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
1948
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Dark Blue
Deep Red
1949
Dark Blue
Green
Dark Blue or Green
Deep Red
1949 1/2
Bronze
Green
Bronze or Green
Deep red
1950
Bronze
Green
Bronze or Green
Deep Red
1951
Bronze
Green
Bronze or Green
Deep Red
1952
Tangerine or Green*
Tangerine or Green*
Green*
Green*
1953
Tangerine or Green*
Tangerine or Green*
Green*
Green*
1954
Green*
Green*
Green*
Green*
* Krylon green #2007
The Colour Disclaimer!
by Doug Giesbrecht
There is a point or two you may want to consider. The list compiled on this web site is made up of two sources of facts which coincide with each other. There were however "facts" which did not match, but I chose to state what seemed to be majority findings. One of the sources was direct from the Early Ford V8 Club of America, whom I surmised would be knowledgeable as to what most flathead equipped cars or trucks would have for engine colour.
Another thing to consider is the reliability of the human memory. You may have been told that your truck or car once belonged to Grandpa and he never had the engine out. A more accurate statement would most likely be "to my knowledge" Grandpa never had the engine out, which could mean that they never saw the vehicle without an engine, during a swap. An engine swap only takes a couple days so it could happen rather quickly, but to the party whose memory serves him, they would not have been around the subject 100% of the time to be able to honestly quote the accurate fact that the engine in it now is the original one. Even to a young family member whose father may have owned the truck or car. Their knowledge would be that it may have broken down a few times and they remember dad working on it for a couple of days, but the engine that is in it looks the same as the one that was always in there. Consider the colour of all the engines you remember as you were a child. Can you recall the colour of each?
If the person's memory who has stated the vehicle is all original, is indeed perfect, there is another consideration. Did Dad or Grandpa buy it new? It may have come off a new car lot, but as we know, trade-ins have been around for a long time. As well as the fact that stuff happens even to brand new engines and again history reveals that the Flathead V8 is far from being a perfect design and has been known to overheat and leak oil even when rebuilt or new. All it would take is an extended trip with an idiot at the wheel of a truck or car which burns or leaks a little oil and POOF! I think you get the picture.
The engine in your truck or car may have been swapped for an engine out of say a combine or industrial compressor for example, not to mention your truck could have a car engine and vise versa. Or maybe a particular engine rebuilder, long since disappeared, used that colour on their reconditioned engines as their trademark.
The terms Dad or Grandpa in the above, could easily be interchanged with uncle, aunt, neighbour or original owner.
I strongly suggest comparing your engine colour to other trucks or cars of the same year in your area. Go take a look at a few advertised for sale and in original or restored condition. Consider the above possibilities as you do so though.
In all reality the colour of your engine, once you restore it is going to be the one that makes you happy. It is not dependent on what others are going to say to you, once you've made your decision.
As far as me being absolutely sure? I too am going by what has been stated as fact to me, but does that mean it is the absolute truth? I think not. One thing is for sure though. "The truth is out there". I hope these words have served to assist and not confuse. The List is compiled based upon facts in the majority. Unfortunately I don't have any colour codes, that will take some further research on your part. I wouldn't want to deprive you of ALL your fun.
*I don't know if you could get a Mercury engine as an option in a Ford truck. If you could, the Ford truck engine could have either colour. The Mercury truck would have the same engine colour as the Mercury car of that year except for 1939-41.This colour chart was compiled by Doug Giesbrecht. Doug cannot answer questions regarding this chart and suggests that if you do have further questions about engine colours that you contact the Early Ford V-8 Club of America for advice.
In 48 226
I used dupli color spray
FORD RED
DE 1605
ENGINE ENAMEL
Last edited:
smitty city
Member
thanks for all the help, the glove box tag says model 8HC, so i guess red is the color. how can i find the paint number or sample? is the transmission painted the same color?
thanks again, mike
thanks again, mike
smitty city
Member
thanks, for your input, you guys have been most helpful
mike
mike
Charlie Stephens
Well-known member
Do you have a copy of the restoration guidelines from the Early Ford V8 Club (earlyfordv8.org)? It is probably in there. Don't let their name fool you, they also cover 4, 6 and V12 cars.
Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens
smitty city
Member
charlie
i checked out the efv8, signed up, looks like another good source of info. thanks for the tip
i checked out the efv8, signed up, looks like another good source of info. thanks for the tip