When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My bare metal thermostat water intake on my aluminum manifold is rusting. From searching forum, it sounds like it should be painted silver. Do I need to us Hi Temperature paint? Should only get to 180 to 200 degrees. Is there a better product than paint to use on it.
thanks
Craig
A bit to "shiney" and "aluminum looking" for me..............but that is OP's decision.
Larry
EDIT: Eastwood Detail Gray is not really gray, but the color of fresh steel or stainless steel. I also had OEM Paint Fresh Steel and Mid-America Stainless Steel paints and all were a dead match to one another. OEM Paint is no longer in business as I recall. Mid-America may still sell their stainless paint.
Last edited by Powershift; 07-19-2021 at 07:29 PM.
When the Flint engine plant finished assembling your engine, the installed thermostat housing and the area around it on the intake manifold received a coat of dull aluminum paint. (also the area between the manifold and valve covers on the cyl head) Krylon makes a color in a spray can called Dull Aluminum that is just about exactly the correct color.
I agree. When I did my own car I used what I recommended above...............and was pleased with the outcome. The "Dull Aluminum" would likely have been another good choice.......or the "best" choice for originality.
I don't think OP will be disappointed, but your info is good to get out there for everyone to see.
There is still a light coating of dull aluminum paint on the cylinder head gasket surface between the intake manifold and valve cover of this unrestored engine. You can see the line where there was no dull aluminum under the area where the intake manifold covered it during painting. The overspray typically covered the side of the valve cover and some of the intake manifold but the color nearly matched the color of these items so it wasn't noticeable.
07-19-2021, 04:37 PM
64 L 76 thermostat housing paint
I agree. When I did my own car I used what I recommended above...............and was pleased with the outcome. The "Dull Aluminum" would likely have been another good choice.......or the "best" choice for originality. 
