Oil Pan / Sump Colour?

[PeterH]

After looking at the discussion about plating vs painting bonnet hinges, in another thread, it prompts me ask this question.
 
What was the original colour for the sump on the 240Z range? and did it vary during the years that they were produced?
 
The car that I have, late 1973, has it painted engine colour and I have no reason to doubt that it is original,but a lot of cars that I have seen have it black.
 
As for the question about the bonnet hinges..... It was common practice in that era, and even now, to paint them body colour although I like the contrast of plating against the body colour.

[GongZ]

Hi Peter,

I just took a trip to the garage to look at my original motor for you.

The motor, from my 9/73, was pulled out after it had only done about 34,500 miles

and has never been touched before or after.

 

The photo attached confirms that the sump is engine colour (+ surface rust highlights  ).

 

Edited September 18, 2015 by GongZ

[gilltech]

Ditto GongZ - my original motor, some sort of blue (with a touch of green in it - nothing like 'Ford Blue' for example) - both block & sump with overspray along the lower edge of the natural metal head.

[GongZ]

...some sort of blue (with a touch of green in it - nothing like 'Ford Blue' for example)...

Yes Gilltech - many people seem to call it a turquoise.

Now if you want to talk about matching the factory colour ....

 

Datsunparts in the USA sell their own version of Datsun blue/turquoise engine paint in spray cans - but I believe this is very difficult, if not illegal, to import. 

http://www.datsunparts.com/Engine-external - Part number 1255

 

So I did some searching and found this info, from none other than HS30-H, on the ClassicZcars site - 

(http://www.classiczcars.com/topic/29732-blue-engine-paint/) - message #11

"Nissan's blue engine paint has Austin DNA.

Back in the 1950s, when Nissan were assembling **CKD kits of Austin cars, they were given a 'British Standard' paint code for the formulation of the engine block and ancillaries colour. It seems to have stuck.

This colour is still listed on the 'British Standard' database as B.S. 18C39, with HMG ( Her Majesty's Government ) number GL31557, and 'Glidden Number' name 'Dolphin Blue'. 

Alan T. "                (**CKD kits = completely knocked down kits)

 

So, if you are keen to match the factory colour - take this info to your paint supplier and ask them to mix some up.

 

If you click on this link - http://www.e-paint.co.uk/search_colour.asp?cQuery=18%20C%2039

- you will see a sample of the colour (it may look different on your computer screen to the actual colour obviously).

 

This link shows that 'Datsun Engine Blue' is also the official team colour for the NFL Miami Dolphins football team!!

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Glidden-Team-Colors-1-gal-NFL-175E-NFL-Miami-Dolphins-Blue-Flat-Interior-Paint-and-Primer-NFL-175E-F-01/204731125

Edited September 18, 2015 by GongZ

[gav240z]

I agree original colour is same as engine block. This is how my 73 240z was.