Head Nut Paint Question

[dpson]

Were the nuts that hold the head to the block painted at the factory?

The repros are cad plated is that correct?

[Tom Wesenberg]

No


Yes

[redmodelt]

Cadmium or zinc

[Purdy Swoft]

I don't paint the head nuts on my engines . The plated head nuts give more detail to the engine . Plated nuts may not pass judging standards but look better in my opinion . I once bought a rebuilt engine with painted head nuts . Rather than removing and replacing the painted nuts , I used chromed 11/16 acorn nut covers like the ones that are sometimes seen on hot rod flathead engines . The nut covers are easily removed and replaced .

[Joe K]

I rather like stainless nuts which are glass bead blasted. It gives the look of cad/zinc plating - and its forever. Which cad particularly is not.

The only downside to stainless appearance wise is the lower surface of the nut. On commercial nuts the lower is champhered much as the upper surface is: Ford's original nuts were unchamphered on the bottom.

But mashed into the paint, the lower surface/turn of the champher is less obvious.

Joe K

[chap52]

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My son who builds rat rods gave me a great tip. If you are painting the head, or any place where there are nuts or other items you don't want to paint is to use small pieces of aluminum foil instead of trying to tape them. Easier to put on and much easier to remove than tape. Chap

[dpson]

Thanks for the replies.

[Dave in Petaluma]

Used 12 gauge shotgun shells fit perfectly over head nuts as a paint mask.