Year & Engine Type Color Photo Comments
Available at most local parts stores.
Aluminum engines are generally unpainted.
Ames 1978-1981 Corporate Blue FN411
Duplicolor General Motors Blue DE 1608. Users report this is a good match to GM's original color.
Plasti-Kote GM Corporate Blue 221. Users report this color does not match.
Available at most local parts stores.
Note that aftermarket GM blue usually varies from original GM blue. This has been confirmed by owners of original GM paint.
It has been speculated that Pontiac L78 and W72 engines were painted a different blue, but checking these engines against genuine GM engine paint samples indicates GM corporate blue is correct.
*Not known why the two above are listed as different paints.
Bill Hirsch Auto Oldsmobile Metallic Blue 1966-On 455 CI' is reported to be a good match.
Ames 1975-1977 Pontiac Blue Metallic engine paint FN410P, or N182TF, or PN431TF
At least one original looking February 1975 example has been found where the engine paint is a lighter non-metallic blue.
March 15, 1973 starting at
approx. engine number
532727
through 1974
Pontiac V8
Bill Hirsch Auto lists incorrect color for these years!
Click Here for the mix formula from a GTOAA article.
PPG Delstar Acrylic Enamel Formula
Mixing Color Quart Formula
DMR-441 72
DMR-486 148
DMR-411 182
DMR-490 275
DMR-410 385
DMR-400 605
DMR-495 625
DMR-499 1025
The batch of SD-455 engines manufactured in Jan-Feb 1973 were most likely painted this color and then repainted the above color when emissions equipment was revised. One early example indicates that the engine was partially repainted the darker blue while in the car.
This color is well documented and listed in Pontiac master parts catalogs.
Hirsch lists this is being used through 1972 which is incorrect!
POR-15 Pontiac Metallic Blue They recommend a silver base coat first. Paint is reportedly difficult to apply, takes a long time to dry and does not look exactly like the factory color. This color is no longer listed on their website.
This color is well documented.
*Not known why the two above are listed as different paints.
Pontiac originally purchased this paint from a company called "Pontiac Paint and Glass", which no longer exists.
Between August 23 and September 7, 1976, the Flint, Michigan Engine Assembly Plant changed the paint colors used on Chevrolet engines from orange to blue. Some early production 1977 Chevrolets were built with the orange painted engines.
Available at most local parts stores
Years, engines and color not yet verified.
Years, engines and color not yet verified.
Color may have changed after WWII.
Years, engines and color not yet verified.
Reported to be high quality paint.
I have a picture of a 1935 L8 engine which looks more like the 1940-up color
Per factory service bulletin number 73-T-21A: "Engines built after March 15, 1973 starting with engine number 532727 had a revised emissions system (two thermal valves near the front of the intake manifold and no EGR solenoid) and were painted this color. In addition about 700 engines before this number were retrofitted and repainted."
Engines that were already assembled when repainted will show signs of the lighter blue in certain area and touched up black brackets to cover up over-spray. Some engines after # 532727 appear to have also been repainted according to one owner.
If any SD-455 engines were manufactured before April 1973 they were most likely painted the color below and then repainted the above color when emissions equipment was revised. One early SD-455 example indicates that the engine was partially repainted the darker blue while in the car. However, factory documentation indicates production SD-455 engines were built after the emissions change.
Years, engines and color not yet verified.
Years, engines and color not yet verified.