How To Mask & Paint an Engine Block

1. Pros and Cons on painting brass core plugs ?

2. You are one annoying man. Just leave the guy to do his job

3. I use the razor and drag the blade across the edges vs tapping with a hammer

4. Imo, paint or clear the aluminum. it just corrodes/ oxidizes and doesn't look good for long. Also build the engine and than paint/ less taping required/ less touch up after assembly.

5. engine has to be red…

6. I have to disagree with the black paint. If you develope an oil leak down the road black makes it more difficult to track the leak. Learned that the hard way.

7. Ok so no primer hmm that won’t hold long I did my 340 in Hemi Orange and just test running It flaked as soon as it overheated a bit

8. "im gonna show you the alternative method: BANG BANG BANG BANG

9. Long shot question, but if you read this I was wondering what kind of FONT is "ERIC THE CAR GUY.COM" on the watermark of this particular video. if you have that info, I would greatly appreciate it! :o] Cheers!

10. Instead of a hammer why not use a Hammer by rubbing over it lightly and peel the tape off as you go.

11. I love his videos .. he’s a mechanic not a glorified part swapper that’s so common these days . A mechanic knows how to fix a auto no matter the model or where the part is broke . A mechanic can paint a block then move on to replacing a transfer case bearing .. these days it takes three four people to do that .. one guy to diagnose and write up .. on guy to prep block .. one guy to paint block .. and one guy to replace bearing ..

12. All my race motors were white so it was easy to find leaks and cracks

13. why not use a copper hammer? no damage to the block at all.

14. Use 1 of those hammers with rubber on one side and hard plastic on the other side, if you must, no chance of rolling the edge and a LOT quieter. I prefer to use a small round file, it removes any sharp edges while you cut the tape. 'You can have any color you want as long as it's black.' Where have I heard that before? It's a proven fact that black engines cool off faster, but for a t-bucket or open view engine, I'd definitely go with a monochrome paint scheme, including the freeze plugs.

15. What if I like the cast iron look and just want to clear coat a bare block? What would be the process in that?

16. The guys at Hagerty recommend using Dawn dish soap for washing and cleaning the block. Just like their Redline Rebuild time lapse videos. Pretty interesting stuff.

17. I like to paint my engines yellow. I figure at some point they'll leak oil and a yellow block should show the leak easier.

18. Thanks so much! I'm doing it now on my aluminum head but just using a really small spoon for better control. Otherwise, to primer or not to primer… What about just a second layer of paint? It's already got this rust prevention layer machine shop guy put on after sand blasting.

19. I feel like the hammer does a good job but idk, Ill cringe while doin it. Recently bought a 305 but turns out it's actually a L81 350 from a Corvette!! Thinking about going metallic silver with chrome valve covers or Chevy engine red with the chrome covers

20. Yeah, always apply high temp primer to bare metal, preferable 2k catalyzed, then topcoat. Straight enamel on bare metal not so good. That shit will be chipping off in no time, complete waste on time. Even better 2k clear over color coat. Yes, I'm a professional painter. Disappointing Eric.

21. Eric, you perfectly described 70's TV… There was nothing else on, so we didn't realize how bad it was at the time. If you ever want to laugh and vomit at the same time, google "J.C. Penny catalog, 1977"

22. The “expert” needs an X-ACTO knife or a small sharp box cutter. Those single edge razor blades are not forgiving on them fingers. 👍🏼

23. Strangely therapeutic to watch masking off and painting off a block…..

24. I use a razor blade at a 45 degree angle and slide it across the edge with a sweeping motion at an angle as well as until it burns through the tape. I know it kinda scuffs the edge but the hammer can be just as iffy. The difference is it’s way faster and cleaner. I learned this method at a facility that restored and refurbished jet turbine parts prior to media blast and paint as well. And we all know those kind of parts are just as critical as automotive parts. Good enough for them, is good enough for me.

25. Eric,

    I came here for the purpose of learning to paint a block (as is reasonable) but I have another, unrelated question that you may be able to answer. Buddy of mine had an old LTD Country Squire, with a 5.0 that had the "dual sump" oil pan/pickup setup like it seems like you've got on this engine. The car was starved for oil, probably more due to lack of maintenance than an inherent flaw in the engine, but I was told that the dual sump 5.0s of the 80s as were on the LTD line were a nightmare because of this. Do you have any info on why that might be?

    Thanks,
    Ty

26. For me a 6oz, flat face dolly hammer works best, even on Al.

27. New to your channel and you probably already know but if you don't, I think the coating that you were thinking about was Glyptal Red brush on paint. Also I don't see why you needed to use a hammer or a blade. If you used long needle files to lightly run over the tape on the corners to get nice clean edges. Other than that, I enjoy your channel and how to's.

28. Body guy walks in… "good color but too much orange peel" xD

29. Palmolive OXY is far better than dawn for degreasing. Just fYI.. 😉

30. There's a little bit uh chevy in my ford… thats the only way i could afford… the boost i am about to make… this car is sure to make the ground shake

31. Great video. Painting the engine Black makes it impossible to spot where oil leaks originate.

32. Is that a homemade oil pan? Its girthy

33. Just rub the tape with the back side of a razor blade to trace the tape on the block. No hammer!!!

34. you can also use a scraper /screwdriver /dull knife and apply pressure instead of the hammer trick

35. I work in the aircraft industry with very expensive parts, and our painters cut the excess tape off with a simple pairing knife or another small knife.  You just run it along the edge of the item at a 45 degree angle almost the same action that you would use to sharpen a knife and it takes the excess tape of in seconds and gets into tight corners.  No hammer, no gasket.  Works really quickly and efficiently.

36. Eastwood makes an Internal paint for liftercam valley. Good up to 650 degrees.. Most people paint their engines with the stuff…

37. 30min video fór 5 min of information

38. Use a rubber mallet fast and safest way

39. Having 2 different metals(aluminum and copper) what about corrosion like Galvanic corrosion because you do have a presents of an electrolyte???

40. redlamps

41. did u put plain grease on the core plugs?

42. "Stay Dirty"… Ha!

43. I've made gaskets using the hammer method.

44. wouldnt be an etcg video without hammering even painting

45. if you use the round rod part of a screwdriver and rub it on the edge with the tape itll cut really easy without damage

46. Good job!! I am working at my Infiniti block, FX45, right now…., making it 5 litre, and about??? 450-500 horses…., anyway, couple important questions her: how did you clean the block…, before painting: pressure wash?, steamcleaned??, or what?? If I do it by hand, soapy water??? Let me know, and " stay dirty", thanks ! youtheman =)

47. What are the benefits of painting a cast steel block?

48. What made your decision to get a iron block with aluminum heads? Weight reduction or cheaper? And will the aluminum heads take boost? And would you use aluminum heads on a nitrous build?

49. Eric don't make that engine or car your girl friend. Your wife will kill it if it is.

50. Soap and water works but what about brake cleaner? Does that work to get the stuff off from the machine shop?

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