ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1965 Shelby => Topic started by: slipkid on August 14, 2012, 10:55:52 PM

Title: 65 GT350 Block Marking
Post by: slipkid on August 14, 2012, 10:55:52 PM

The engine builder who recently built a new powerplant for my GT has 1965 60,000 mile GT350 engine in for rebuild.  First time it has been taken apart as evidenced by the cylinder head gasket date codes.  There is a spash of orange spray paint on the block - pic attached.  I am no guru on this by any means. Only thing I can think of is that the Shelby or perhaps K code blocks were indeed selected. 

Title: Re: 65 GT350 Block Marking
Post by: CharlesTurner on August 14, 2012, 11:13:03 PM

Thanks for sharing.  It is a hi-po thing, not Shelby.  Various parts have been found with orange splotches or spray.  Have seen it on cylinder heads and water pumps too.

Title: Re: 65 GT350 Block Marking
Post by: J_Speegle on August 15, 2012, 09:12:49 PM

Thanks for sharing - agree with Charles seen this plenty of times on K code blocks.

Title: Re: 65 GT350 Block Marking
Post by: slipkid on August 15, 2012, 10:23:49 PM

Is it known why the marks were applied?

Title: Re: 65 GT350 Block Marking
Post by: 69SCJQ4.30 on August 16, 2012, 01:11:17 AM

Quote from: slipkid on August 15, 2012, 10:23:49 PM

Is it known why the marks were applied?

Pretty much all hipo parts were marked with orange paint to help them identify quicker while assembling motors.

Title: Re: 65 GT350 Block Marking
Post by: J_Speegle on August 16, 2012, 02:39:58 AM

I agree, likely a quick identification mark - we just don't know if it was for the block, completed short block or completed long block (though that one would have had the sticker for that purpose ;)

Title: Re: 65 GT350 Block Marking
Post by: 69SCJQ4.30 on August 16, 2012, 01:17:08 PM

I think it was for all pieces I have seen it on the rods, flywheel, I think even a crank with an orange daub of paint on it once.

Title: Re: 65 GT350 Block Marking
Post by: CharlesTurner on August 16, 2012, 01:33:41 PM

Quote from: 69SCJQ4.30 on August 16, 2012, 01:17:08 PM

I think it was for all pieces I have seen it on the rods, flywheel, I think even a crank with an orange daub of paint on it once.

+1, believe it was identification of hi-po parts.

Title: Re: 65 GT350 Block Marking
Post by: s2ms on August 17, 2012, 11:04:01 PM

+2. Orange seems to have been the color to identify 289 HiPo parts. Besides the parts already mentioned, I have a low mileage 66 dated dual point FoMoCo distributor with orange paint still on the cam drive gear.

Dave

Title: Re: 65 GT350 Block Marking
Post by: CharlesTurner on August 23, 2012, 12:05:33 PM

Few pics of a restored '65 K motor I did.  The orange marks were replicated as were found.  Obviously this is before the engine paint was applied:

(http://www.early-mustang.com/charles/K_vert/8_7_10/8_7_10%20004.jpg)

(http://www.early-mustang.com/charles/K_vert/8_7_10/8_7_10%20007.jpg)