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I'm currently looking at a man who wants to detail my engine.

Part of the deal is that I buy the paint.

Valve covers: Is spray engine enamel ok? Primer? Preferred brands?

Block, heads, etc: Would you spray or brush? Seems to me that spray would be more trouble that brushing in terms of overspray, but I'm not doing it. Do you prime this stuff? Brands? Parts store? Olds bronze?

Kanter, Bill Hirsch or Terrill Machine has the green (50 and back) or gray paint (51-54). I think they also have the bronze for the 54 big engine, but never needed to check since all of my Packards have been the junior series. Eastwood has the paint for the manifolds, carbs, fan blades, generator, etc. I like to brush on the block and manifolds and spray the accessories. Some of the guys who are up to speed on the correct shades and finish (flat, satin, gloss) can help out. I like satin on the chassis and gloss on the accessories, but this is my personal preference.

I have not found the correct engine colors in the parts stores.

Hirsch and Kanter also have the 56 bronze which I think is the same as the 54 bronze. Not sure if the valve covers should be a bright silver or a slightly more sedate dull aluminum color with the red lettering. IMO, you would want to remove and spray the covers and do the lettering. There is another recent thread on how lettering has been done decently. Probably brushing would be adequate and easier to do on the engine.

Here is a photo of a supposedly low mileage original 56 engine so you or your detailer can be the judge on the cover color.

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My engine doesn't have much paint left.

Hirsch does not list the bronze. As to Kanter, my hat is off to anyone who can glean any useful information from their site.

Locally, olds bronze is an option. understand that I have little to guide me other than words....broze could be anything....

Silver is readily available, ditto a number of reds. HMNNNNN....

Hirsch does not list the bronze

I bought my 56 Packard bronze engine paint from Hirsch. He may or may not list it, but he has it. Try the phone.

Looks like Hirsch & Kanter only list the bronze in quarts now. Green is only one listed in both spray and quarts. You have to select the color in the drop down "options" menu. If the local Olds gold or bronze isn't quite right, there is the option of ordering a quart of the proper stuff and have some of it put in spray cans at your local paint store. Most better paint stores will do that for a fee.

hirschauto.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EE-QUART&variation=PAC%20BRNZ