Cosworth Pre X Flow 1340 engine color

[Gearbox]

Anyone know the original color(s) for a 1962 Cosworth engine? Was the head painted a different color than the block and how was the alloy valve cover painted? Wrinkle? Thanks Allan

[DeanG]

I can't answer that however I suggest you also ask about the transmission color.

 

The car looks wonderful as it is.

[Gearbox]

Hi Dean;

 

Unfortunately, that is not my car lol. But I do agree, that Red/Burgundy does look good with the wrinkle black Cosy cover. The gearbox on these cars were the 2000e like on my Elans, and they were always either Black or really Dark Green.

 

I have several books on the Seven, and in no place it mentions the engine color, and of course every period photo of the engine is in Black and white, so no help there. I believe in 1962, Ford did not start using its trademark Blue yet, and I am thinking they were painted either black or gray. I am sure that Lotus would not have changed the stock color of these engines, but not sure if Cosworth painted them in a different color. Not sure what I am going to do yet, but it would be nice to know how these cars came from the factory. Thanks Allan

[gus]

i believe they were black, though have now absolute confirmation, I have seen one pretty original car that was black, and have had conversations with those who ought to know, and that was the thought

[DeanG]

I thought Elan transmissions were a medium green. Mine has remnants of a that color. Good luck.

[coffee break]

As I have the motor out of my car, I can see the colors on it. The motor is a xflow that was Ford blue over painted black. But there is an odd thing, the cam chain cover had a layer of red also. FWIW

[Gearbox]

The best period picture I could find was an old ad for the Super Seven which looks like the Cosy valve cover was bare aluminum and the block was something else than black. Red maybe? Most Ford engines back in the early 60's were painted Black or Gray, so maybe Gray? Unfortunately the Black and white photo doesn't reveal much more and any color pictures I found were just of the outside of the car. Any original owners out there?

[escondidoron]

I'm pretty sure that the engines (both head and block/pan) were dark red in color with bare as-cast aluminum for the valve cover. I will ask next time that I visit The Octagon in a few weeks. For reference, here is a picture of an SCA engine from about the same early/mid-'60's period that I took during my last visit about 3 weeks ago:

The head on the SCA is aluminum, hence the as-cast coloring. I think that the red on this example is brighter than they were using back in the day. Note that the SCA is built around a one litre (998cc) 5-main bearing Kent block.

[Gearbox]

Funny you should mention that, I was leaning towards that dark red/burgundy color with a black wrinkle valve cover and red Cosy logo. I think it looks very striking. Let me know what you find out, Thanks Allan