FC Grey motor colour code

[ACT59FC]

I know this question has been asked many times but Id like to confirm if the following paint code is for the dark grey almost navy/black original colour and not the light grey that you see on every second restored motor. For me the light grey is not an acceptable colour and definitely not original. Ive seen so many beautifully restored cars with the wrong colour grey. It totally detracts from the build. I want to make sure this isnt the bodgy lighter grey

Dulux Autocolour
393-10367
Holden Engine Grey GMH

If this isnt the original dark navy almost black grey then could someone please let me know what the colour code is?

Regards Rod.

[ardiesse]

Rod,

No two Holden engines were painted the exact same colour, I think.  Some were almost black, some looked bluish, and some looked greenish (and that's just the dark greys.  The EJ grey is a different beast altogether . . . )  I had a litre of paint made up to the 10367 formula and it looked like military olive drab, rather than grey.  Way too much yellow tinter.  I've always had to "push" Holden engine grey in the right direction by adding a lot of gloss black and some blue tinter.

The best way would be to take your oil filler cap, clutch cover, rocker cover (whatever) to a place that colour-matches paint, and get the paint made to match.  Don't forget to ask for the formula . . .

Mind you, the PowerPlus pressure-pak Holden engine grey is a reasonable approximation.

Rob

[ACT59FC]

Thanks Rob, much appreciated, whats left on my engine is almost a navy black colour.

Regards Rod.

[ACT59FC]

Got a look at the new motor today and I'm so cranky. The only thing I asked the company was to not paint the engine in the EJ light grey. I wanted the FC dark grey......


Not much of a restoration if you cant even get the right colour on the engine. What kind of an imbecile would paint an FC engine in light grey????
They never were light grey and should never be light grey unless you own an EJ. Looks like Ill be pulling the motor out and repainting it. Why dont people listen!!!! Rant done!

[mcl1959]

And sticking a horrible great sticker over the front of the rocker cover :P

Ken

[ACT59FC]

Ken do we know what year holden greys changed from the dark grey to the light?


Regards Rod.

[mcl1959]

Very hard to tell Rod, I have no GMH info about colour change and colour photos from the era are very hard to find. The black and white photos I have in magazines road testing the cars when new do not show a dark engine. More mid range.
Ken

[ACT59FC]

This was the original colour its a real dark almost navy blue grey

[Roybeth]

Ken do we know what year holden greys changed from the dark grey to the light?


Regards Rod.

Wasn't it the same grey throughout?

Light grey is on Fords

[KFH]

I have an EJ motor in the shed.  It is dark grey

Keith

[ACT59FC]

Engine now repainted, and took it for a club run today, it ran like a dream.  ;D

[RET]

It was good to meet you the other day Rod, hopefully the weather will be better next month and I can have a closer look at your tanned ol girl :-)

[Ken's 57]

Rod I notice your oil filler cap is black. I always thought this was on the 48s and FJ only??? Perhaps Ken can shed some light on this.  :o

[mcl1959]

I have period photos with both in FE / FC

Ken

[ACT59FC]

Thats interesting, I hadn't thought about it, it was black when I got it, my tin can Bosch coil was painted black too. Im not sure what colour it was originally. Starter and distributor are Bosch blue. Should they be black or grey??

Rod

[ardiesse]

Rod,

Your tin-can Bosch coil would have been blue.  And your starter and distributor will have come from an FB to EJ donor car, since they're blue.

Rob

[ACT59FC]

I was thrilled to meet RET on our club run. The day was absolutely awful and it pelted down rain all morning. You are more than welcome to check out old Mable at the Nationals and I look forward to finally putting names to faces. I am really looking forward to my first nationals. It was both a blessing and a pain that Mable's engine expired just before the Nationals. A blessing because she is now reliable and running like a sewing machine......but the process has severely dented the budget..... no dented isnt the word.....DECIMATED is more like it! On the club run I found out my brake lights had stopped working luckily just a new brake switch.