Stock '56 265 engine block paint color?

[DC3SMOKEJUMPER]

Greetings...my first post. I'm restoring my '56 BA (totally stock) ...doing the engine right now and was told yesterday that the 265 blocks were actually red instead of orange. Anyone know for sure? I was planning on painting it orange. Thanks bill

[Watchdog]

I am pretty sure a 56 265 is orange.

[Geoff]

Yep, most of them were red.

Here's a thread..


http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53000

[D'S56]

55 265 -orange with black scripture
56 265 red with silver scripture
57 265 chartreuse green with black scripture
57 283 orange with silver scripture

[carls 56]

:hello: hi bill and welcome. good to have you here. possibly could be either color. depends on when eng. was made.

[Watchdog]

I think the orange looks better than red. And definitely better than chartreuse green. Bleh!

[rod2133]

I know most everything you read is that the '56 265 was Red. But I can tell you having worked on many 265's in the early 60's that had never been out of the car they came both ways from the factory. I have no proof but it must have been a factory and/or build date issue.

[56owner]

I thought all 56 265's were red. I had 2 friends who had them and I bought one in 65. All were red . Available from Ecklers in spray can. I think it looks better than orange.

[craig32]

I have a '56 265 in my 55, and it was yellow. Dated March 20, 1956. Stamped T56FB, and it was yellow. It's orange now.

[3 Tri-Fives]

Mine's red.

[wheelzup56]

Mine is red. I had a 283 dated 10-30 56 and it was orange.I dont see that green around too much.

[Farm Boy]

My 265 was red when I pulled it out and I kept it red. It is a 1956 only thing.

http://www.567chevyclub.com/images/56_Chevy/265-red2.jpg

http://www.567chevyclub.com/images/56_Chevy/265-red1.jpg

[wheelzup56]

Thats what Im talkin about!!!:tu

[TheHotrodHandyman]

The 56 265's were red, All the CCCI / Ecklers judging guidelines indicate that as well. So if you are going to try to be as correct as possible for judging your engine needs to be red. My unrestored 56 convertible has a red 265. My 56 4dr driver has a red 265 and every original 56 I have seen with a 265 is red.

[GREEN 56]

The GM sales slogan for the 55 was the hot one and it had an orange block, in 56 the slogan was the hot one is even hotter for 56. In relation to this the 56 265 seen a few performance optional upgrades straight from GM... such as a hotter cam option and 2wo four barrel carb option, but most all the 56 265's where painted a redish color which had an almost redish purple tint to it. This was to simulate the look of the " Even Hotter " 56 265.

[VaToms56]

Mine was red. The car was built in December 1955.

This paint is from Bill Hirsch and it is available also from the POR15 folks.

[Watchdog]

I must be wearing orthopedic shoes because I stand corrected.

[davepnw]

My 56 265 was red and it is still red. I have had many an argument at car shows with some "experts" trying to tell me I painted it the wrong color. All that matters is that I know I did it right. Dave

[D'S56]

My 56 265 was red and it is still red. I have had many an argument at car shows with some "experts" trying to tell me I painted it the wrong color. All that matters is that I know I did it right. Dave

Right you are Dave!