Stock 88 Duke engine, I need to repaint the oil pan, lifter valley cover, air cleaner and other assorted stuff prior to reassemble. I want to keep this simple, a thorough prep and a quick spray. What looks good and what should I use?

I only have some minor rust on my cradle, just looking to touch it up, make it look clean.

What is the stock color of the cradle?

I always appreciate the good folks here on the forum, looking forward to the replies.

[This message has been edited by jetman (edited 06-21-2008).]

I used Por-15 all over my cradle and it looks good - and is solid. Rust should not be able to get through this stuff, but I can't tell you for sure until I've had it on for a while.

POR-15 for the cradle.
http://www.por15.com/prodinfo.asp?grp=SP&dept=1

They also make engine paint as well.
http://www.por15.com/prodinfo.asp?grp=EE&dept=7

I like rubberized undercoating, dont think it would hold up to the heat of an engine though

Yeah, the shop mechanics are really pushing me to do the POR 15 also, just didn't want to get that deep into it but then again,,,,,

Ok, what about engine paint for covers, intake and stuff? I want to keep the stock look, what works best?

Thanks again.

I think i used duplicolor ford red on my intake. Matched the factory well. Por15 on the cradle. Wiltses paint on dixie sells it, so you dont have to pay for shipping

3 years since I put POR15 on my cradle, the car is a daily driver (summer and winter) and can say the POR15 did not last - and YES I painted on bare metal (blasted). The exposed areas (rear bottom on the cradle for example) it is not covered anymore (not sure if it peeled off or what). Still good on the other areas that are not exposed to the elements as much. If I could back to the beginning I would use an etching paint...oh well, too lazy to take it all apart to redo...

[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 06-06-2008).]

quote Originally posted by jetman: Yeah, the shop mechanics are really pushing me to do the POR 15 also, just didn't want to get that deep into it but then again,,,,, Ok, what about engine paint for covers, intake and stuff? I want to keep the stock look, what works best? Thanks again.

I used VHT "Universal Red" over bare, clean aluminum and then used Duplicolor's Clear wheel paint over that.
The clear wheel paint seems to be very durable and maintains a high gloss over the red.
(all rattle cans by the way)

I used dupli-colour low gloss black engine enamel on both engine and cradle...Very happy with how it turned out...But after using dupli-colour truck bed coating in my engine bay I would use this next time for my cradle.





Truck bed liner...Used in engine bay and wheel wells

Wow Bud, engine came out looking nice, cradle too. I really like the dupli-color low gloss black engine enamel on both engine and cradle, looks clean. I'm still trying to make up my mind, will figure it out tomorrow as I clean up the engine bay.

Does anyone know what is the stock color of the cradle?

I have a new '85 - '87 cradle that's never been installed in a car, and it's semi-gloss black.

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: I have a new '85 - '87 cradle that's never been installed in a car, and it's semi-gloss black.

Wow, I believe you 100% on your '85 - '87 cradle. I'm seeing a midnight blue of some sort on my 88 cradle. I'm certain that it's stock, it had some stickers on it and nothing even remotely suggests it was ever out of the car. Part of the transmission / engine bracket is the same color, looks like I'm going to remove it and try to match up the color somehow unless someone here can chime in.

The original cradle color was just flat black.

I never paid much attention to the color of the cradle....I just always assumed it was black. Jetman's comment made me go look again. Here is a picture of a black tranny mount sitting on the 88 cradle (original paint) for comparison.



For the record....my 86 cradle that came out of the car (also original paint) is the same color as my 88.