Refinishing the LT5

[Daniel_Mc]

Hey guys I just wanted to share some before and after shots of the refinishing of the LT5 in the Dieline Z. The motor was looking rough at some point one of the PO’s before myself or Buzz attempted to “fix” the flaking black paint by spray painting things without disassembly or even masking. It really looked like a “Hold my beer and watch this” job. Once the plenum was removed, this was a job since it had some rounded over tightened bolts, clean up started. I was originally told by some at BG that this LT5 was not black but painted over the stock paint. I found this not the case there was nothing but bare aluminum under the paint and what really got my attention was under the white “4 cam 32 valve” and “corvette” was actually red paint just as the later 8 Black Widow cars would receive. Also when I removed the cam cover emblem the black paint was under that as well. I feel if as though this motor came from Mercury Black not painted later. I need to pull the stampings and see what those numbers tell me. Anyway once off and cleaned it went back together fairly easily and I am very happy with the results. I also took the opportunity to repaint parts of the frame and firewall and get it all looking presentable again.
Also thanks to everyone that helped:
Duke G. and CJ for all of the extra hours of help
Jerry for the new gaskets
David J for finding some parts for me
Lee for help with me being an idiot over the MAP sensor
Mike for the attention to detail with the powder coating

Here are a few pictures, the Z still has a long way to go but it keeps looking better:

LT5 Before


How bad the cam covers were




Here is the red paint and black paint under the emblem

[Daniel_Mc]

And back together






New plate is on

[ZZZZZR1]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not a big fan of black motors, but damn that looks sweet!!!!

Well done Daniel!!!



David

[Kevin]

those white dymags are to die for. so hot. and the black motor A++ love your car

[A26B]

Daniel, the Zee looks awesome! The basic Red, White & Black have always been my most favorite and yours is at the top of the list. Beautiful and loaded with provenance.
C ya at BG!

BTW, as it pertains to the black engine. I picked up some heads with black cam covers, injector housings, coolant outlet pipes & plenum and believe it all originated at Stillwater. We know the bently engines were black, as well as the boat engines, so it would come as no surprise as Mercury probably keeps a fair bit of black paint around somewhere.

[jimmac28]

Originally Posted by ZZZZZR1

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not a big fan of black motors, but damn that looks sweet!!!!

Well done Daniel!!!



David

I'm with you Dave, WOW

[Daniel_Mc]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not a big fan of black motors, but damn that looks sweet!!!!

Well done Daniel!!!

Thanks David!

those white dymags are to die for. so hot. and the black motor A++ love your car

Thanks Kevin for some reason when I read that reply Billy Madison popped in my head with that "Veronica Vaughn sooo fine..." quote LOL You may or may not know what I am talking about.

Daniel, the Zee looks awesome! The basic Red, White & Black have always been my most favorite and yours is at the top of the list. Beautiful and loaded with provenance.
C ya at BG!

BTW, as it pertains to the black engine. I picked up some heads with black cam covers, injector housings, coolant outlet pipes & plenum and believe it all originated at Stillwater. We know the bently engines were black, as well as the boat engines, so it would come as no surprise as Mercury probably keeps a fair bit of black paint around somewhere.

Jerry, That really means a lot Thank You sir! I am looking forward to seeing you in BG we will have to talk more about the Black finish from Mercury. I really need to follow through on all the little things this Z is hiding before all the answers are gone.

I'm with you Dave, WOW

Thanks

[VetteMed]

Looks great, Daniel. Every time I see pictures of your car, I kick myself, as I was bidding on it the first time it was listed on ebay. Just didn't have the coin to meet the reserve though.

[FU]

Good L00KING car, love the krinkle black engine. We know that white car's are just naturally faster than the rest of the pack

[XfireZ51]

Much better Daniel.