Projects Engine color......Decisions, Decisions.....HELP!

Engine color. Everybody has a favorite.
The 330 Desoto in my 41 pickup was painted black when it was rebuilt years ago. The black contrasts well with the headers and aluminum BUT when it’s set in the black frame behind the black radiator it turns into a indistinguishable black lump.
I’ve looked at search pics until my eyes crossed, trying to decide whether to leave it black, or paint it a bright color like red, chrome yellow, silver, bronze or some other contrasting color.
Any photoshop ideas? Or hemi pics?
Thanks!

 

Red or orange always shows up well against black, yellow is cool but it shows dirt & grime quicker, JMHO. HRP

 

Red and orange as HRP suggested

blue

grey

gold

pink,white,yellow,........ I dunno ?
What colour are you going to paint the rest of the car?

I have slways liked an engine in blue or grey. I like it clean but not really jumping out at you .

 

vote for gold

 

Viper Red is my pick & shows polished add-on parts well. With Red you can not go wrong.

 

HA!That’s an even bigger hurdle for me to climb over

 

Cherry red. Vht used to make a cool deep cherry red hi heat paint.

I used it on several engines back in the day. With black pulleys and aluminum intake it looked really good.

 

What color is the body going to b when it's done? If it's the color it is now, then any bright color would go well with it.

Red or a metallic green-blue would look great

 

Leave it black, when you put grill, fenders, hood?, induction and engine accessories on it it will all make sense

 

I like to paint my engines to match the car most of the time, and don't limit yourself! Had one in an OT car that was Harley-Davidson candy black-cherry that subtly stood out without being loud about it. Food for thought.

 

Black works, but if you are looking for something not used as often, but I always liked is Buick Green.

 

Same as your wife's toenails.

That way you'll always have touch up paint.

 

Hemi Orange, of course.

 

Q: What color is an engine?
A: What color leftover paint do you have in the corner of the shop? (It's different for everybody, ain't it?)

 

I did gold and I like it.

 

Here's a couple of you it might look....

 

The red.....

 

Still haven't made a firm decision on the car color, but I used factory color on the engine. Any idea what the stock DeSoto engine color was?

 

Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions and @themoose for the Photoshop!!
That's magic right there.
That red really jumps out!
So does that Buick blue, @jaracer!
(the factory color was silver)

 

Looks to sinister to put any loud color to it in my opinion. Unless you go with stock valve covers maybe, but I like it like that.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Purple
yah....I know...

 

C'mon man, you've made a thousands of decisions so far building your truck..it's TIME to decide on a color...if not the exact color, at least the hue.

I'm a believer in the engine color should match your paint color, or compliment it, and that complimenting color used through out the vehicle can really tie the whole vehicle together. A maroon car with red engine works. Blue car with lighter blue engine works.

You're at the point where you need to make some final color pallet decisions. It doesn't matter what color looks good on a Hemi. It only matters what color looks good on a Hemi when it's in your painted truck.

 

VHT..."cast iron".

Mike

 

I only use high gloss black. That way when it leaks it only gets shinier. I hate cleaning and maintenance.

 

I'm of the What color will the body be camp. Lippy

 

I am a big Ford guy but never cared for Ford blue. 23 years ago I did a 57 Ford and fell in love with the factory red on the 312 . Most of my cars end up black or white so it looks great. otherwise something that complements the exterior color. For example my ot 72 Galaxie convert is dark forest green and the motor is the same year lime green gold color with Cal custom valve covers and air cleaner with black brackets and pulleys.

 

Plaid is nice! thanks to the shift wizard!
KK

 

I found myself constantly painting my engines gloss black, just because I liked it, and it was easier to keep clean. But my last build I decided to go red, and I'm glad I changed. Yes, it shows the dirt sooner, but it still looks better than the same old gloss black.

 

Chrome it!