Topic: 65 289 Fastback Bellhousing Separator Plate Finish

[markb0729]

As best i can tell (looking through this site and the MCA judging rules), the bell housing spacer plate between the block and bellhousing would be a natural finish with some black over spray in the oil pan area from when the engine block was painted. Inspection plate would be painted semi-gloss black.   Is this correct?  The car in question is an early September 64 built Dearborn Fastback with a 289.   

[J_Speegle]

Engine plate was attached to the engine when it was painted so it received paint along the outer edges and on the face behind the oil pan. When they painted the oil pan, block, heads and so on paint also went on the plate. Workers/painters were instructed to make sure there was some bare metal at the starter attachment surface so that starter grounding and operation could be achieved Most of the time the paint was fade away in that area though during some periods over the 64-73 period it appears they masked the surface off (sharp paint edge) BUT you will be better served to reproduce the soft faded pattern

There are a number of past threads on the subject so a search should provide you with some examples and pictures.

A couple of threads that popped up using the words "engine plate finish" Just focusing on the 65-66 responses not all the other years

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=17731.msg111926#msg111926

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=17351.msg109305#msg109305


Also if you look in the assembly line section there are close ups of original engines from 64-66 and the paint details there also though on many the pictures are dark  (lots of contrast) and plenty of shadows

[markb0729]

Thanks for the response.  I spent about an hour searching and looking through the site for information on this subject and came to the conclusion in my post.  I was searching on "bellhousing separator plate finish/paint" and didn't see the posts you mentioned.  It seems to be hit or miss for me when I'm searching for information.  I need to think more about focusing on the various sections of the site.  Thanks again!  Mark

[jwc66k]

Too many words. Try "bellhousing" alone and see how many hits you get. Then try "bellhousing plate". Just a hint on searching. This ain't Google (and I prefer duckduckgo.com anyway).
Jim