The International Cessna 170 Association

I know the origianl color of the cylinders was a mull black, but any idea what the color was of the engine case and valve covers? Panited? Plated?
Thanks

The C145/O300 cases were gray, and covers were black.

Crankcase and valve covers were gray - a somewhat lighter shade than Lycoming uses. The Gold color, which every overhauler loves to do, wasn't used by Continental until the late '60s. I'm not even sure any O-300 ever came that way. There is a original paint 1966 172 sitting on the tamp here at Rock Hill, maybe it has the original engine. The beautiful polished and turquoise 170B pictured somewhere here on the forum owned by Rusty I think has the correct colors on the engine.

Covers were originally gloss-black. Mercury Outboard paint (in the Tempo rattle-can) is a good choice.
Rusty's engine and compartment has been touched up of course, but his engine colors are correct (except for that Sky-Tec starter) :

Ok, not disagreeing but I have seen a couple pictures from an old engine "owner's manual" that showed a picture/drawing that had the valves a lighter color than black... confusing but just for proof, what kind of records does the owner of that turquoise and polish one have? just for documentation purposes

I apologize, I dont know if it makes a difference or not, but I forgot to specify year.. 1953 if that means anything. I know Rusty's is a year (or two?) off from my scheme. Wonder if Cessna switched it up at all?

I found a pic, it is on Rusty's engine battery lid too. The large orange decal, George is that something that was added on later you think?

I have no idea what that is on his batt lid, but I'd also noticed it and sent him an email for a better pic and description.

I also have that orange decal on my battery box lid, or I should say I have the remains of that decal. It is so badly degraded I can't read it.

My '54 battery box cover has traces of the orange label/paint/decal too.

Aryana, that's one beautiful engine. Please don't tell me you went and put oil in it!

Nice looking engine! Thanks for all the info, really appreciate it!

In answer to dbarron, I have spoken with Mr. Loren Lemmon, of Lycon Aircraft, which is located in California. Mr. Lemmon worked for Continental for several years and was employed there in the 1950's. He advised me that the correct colour was a grey case with black cyclinder's and valve covers. After several conversations and e-mails back in fourth, he made the comment,"That's about as good as it get's." The colour is a grey that is a little darker than the Lycoming grey, and black on the cylinders and valve covers. I also have a 1964 C-172 I purchased from the original owner, and the case was painted gold. I spoke with Mr. Lemmon about the Continental gold and he advised me that he thought they started doing that in 1964. And yes, the 1964 C-172 is all original as well(expect for paint). I was advised several times to paint the C-170 engine back to it's original colour. After all, when i got it, it had original paint, glass, and interior. I would like to add my compliments to Aryana on a great looking engine. I love it!! I hope this helps. Thanks,

Rusty

All photo documentation and records of others that i have found show unpainted or cad plated valve covers.. in my original 1954 owners manual it has many photos none of which are showing black valve covers. Does anyone have documentation on the black valve covers??

dbarron wrote:I found a pic, it is on Rusty's engine battery lid too. The large orange decal, George is that something that was added on later you think?

It's interesting to see on page 45 of the 1955 C-170B owners manual that Bruce recently posted this decal seems to be on the battery box lid.

Gary, I took note of the same decal. How about that.

To bad we can read it.