Engine component colors

Posted by Jim Kavanagh On 2018/5/8 17:40:48

This has likely come up before here, but I don't see it, except to address the basic engine color.
Since I needed to dismantle everything to change out my lifter assemblies, I want to repaint the engine parts (1952 250) before I reassemble. Car was restored years ago and still shows well, so repainting should look great and not out of place.
It looks to me that the block, intake, head, water pump and valve covers are all grey. Everything else that hangs off the engine - the various brackets, generator, starter, oil filler, crankcase vent, are all black. Dipstick and tube are grey. I assume the oil filter canister should be black top, maybe blue or black base, could have probably come several ways. Some parts like the fuel pump, exhaust manifold and starter solenoid are unpaint.
Is this all correct?
I got the grey from Merritt, but it is not rattle can. It says it can be used without reduction in a gun, or painted on with a brush. Anyone have experience with painting this on with a brush? I have never used a gun. Also, looking at page 194 of Packard The Pride, the 250 engine compartment shows the words "Packard" and "Thunderbolt" highlighted in red over the otherwise grey head. I have never seen this in a show or on a restored 250. Does anyone know if this was actually done from the factory or a one-off. It certainly looks nice.