Posted By: GMP440
1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/10/11 09:25 PM
What is the correct engine color for a 340 with automatic transmission and A/C in a 69' Dodge Dart GTS? Thank you.
George
George
1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color?
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/10/11 09:28 PM
Turquoise
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/10/11 09:34 PM
The 340 was painted the turquoise in 69 ?
Posted By: Beebuzzn
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/10/11 09:45 PM
Here is a low mile 1969 340 shortblock. Block is correct color, front area was repainted with wrong color. Cast 9/10/68 came from LM23P9B228112
Posted By: GO_Fish
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/10/11 10:22 PM
This subject comes up about once a month...
Almost all '69 340 GTS' (and 340 Barracudas)were painted turquoise, same as non HP big blocks. Only exceptions would be VERY early or VERY late production.
My '69 340 GTS has a build date of 10/68, and the engine was/is turquoise.
John RR, you forgot to put
at the end of your post! 
Almost all '69 340 GTS' (and 340 Barracudas)were painted turquoise, same as non HP big blocks. Only exceptions would be VERY early or VERY late production.
My '69 340 GTS has a build date of 10/68, and the engine was/is turquoise.
John RR, you forgot to put
at the end of your post!
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/10/11 11:21 PM
Quote:
John RR, you forgot to put
No, I really was curious, I haven't owned a 69 340 car so I don't pay a lot of attention to their idiosyncrasies .
Posted By: GO_Fish
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 02:10 AM
OK, my bad. I figured you had seen the previous discussions at some point given it comes up pretty often. 
I figured you had seen the previous discussions at some point given it comes up pretty often.
Posted By: Rhinodart
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 02:32 AM
I am doing a 69 Barracuda notchback 340 with A/C right now and it was turquoise, as were ALL 69 340's... 
Posted By: 68GTS383
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 03:08 AM
My 69 340 S engine color is turquoise.
Posted By: ph23vo
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 03:42 AM
i,ve never personally seen anything but turquoise..though i suppose its remotely possible that pilot/promo cars had different color engines..but its very unlikely .. dan
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 03:57 AM
1968 = Red
1969 = Turquoise
1970 = Orange
1971 = Orange until around April of 71 (exact changeover date is unknown)
1971 = Blue after April of 71
ANY year 340 that might have left the factory in a color conflicting with the respective colors/years listed above would be possible of course, but would also be considered an extreme exception and would require hard evidence as proof it was original that way before being accepted as such.
1969 = Turquoise
1970 = Orange
1971 = Orange until around April of 71 (exact changeover date is unknown)
1971 = Blue after April of 71
ANY year 340 that might have left the factory in a color conflicting with the respective colors/years listed above would be possible of course, but would also be considered an extreme exception and would require hard evidence as proof it was original that way before being accepted as such.
Posted By: FJ5_Fish
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 04:33 AM
69 340 - Actually - it is Blue....Not the Turquoise that the 68 BB's had.
Posted By: 69Cuda340S
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 04:35 AM
Quote:
Turquoise
ding ding ding we have a winner
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 05:20 AM
Quote:
69 340 - Actually - it is Blue....Not the Turquoise that the 68 BB's had.
I haven't seen a blue 69 before Jim, what car is that engine in?
Posted By: GO_Fish
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 01:44 PM
Quote:
69 340 - Actually - it is Blue....Not the Turquoise that the 68 BB's had.
Wrong. That would appear to be a rattle can paint job, not factory. If I'm not mistaken, the OEM PCV would not have paint on it (it was installed after the engine was painted at the factory). And I think the original valve cover gaskets were rubber with big tabs sticking out, not the cork gaskets shown.
Posted By: FJ5_Fish
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 02:20 PM
Quote:Quote:
69 340 - Actually - it is Blue....Not the Turquoise that the 68 BB's had.
Wrong. That would appear to be a rattle can paint job, not factory. If I'm not mistaken, the OEM PCV would not have paint on it (it was installed after the engine was painted at the factory). And I think the original valve cover gaskets were rubber with big tabs sticking out, not the cork gaskets shown.
Wrong on all accounts.
69 340's were Blue
The PCV's were always painted including the grommet.
Gaskets were cork.
All the paint in that pic is 100% untouched original - no rattle can there.
I suggest you find some good untouched cars to do some more research before making totally incorrect comments. The lack of thorough research in this hobby is what causes all the incorrect restorations out there.
Posted By: JOES4FORTY
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 03:17 PM
Here we go again! Turquoise on the 69 340.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 03:32 PM
Quote:
I suggest you find some good untouched cars to do some more research before making totally incorrect comments. The lack of thorough research in this hobby is what causes all the incorrect restorations out there.
Jim, I respect your knowledge but I can assure you I have done my research. I was suprised to see your blue example which is why I asked what car it is in.
The photo I posted is an original paint 1969 340 Dart, that is a turquoise engine (the same turquoise used in all other turquoise applications).
Posted By: FJ5_Fish
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 03:59 PM
Hi Scott - The response was not to your post. I was actually going to reply to your pic.....that is definitely turquoise! I was replying to the PCV and other comments as well.
Every (almost every now) original engine I have seen and have pics from appear to be more blue than turquoise....maybe there was a mix. I have checked with FB and others as well and their stuff is blue. Even the engines in the car tests from the old Road and Track show were blue. I know they weren't orange - as the 2 plants that were building 340's were not producing Hemi's or big blocks.....so no orange paint would be in their inventory.....until the 70 model year. Mopar Action has addressed it as well but have made mistakes about what plant(s) were producing 340's and saying that 383/440's (and 70 340's) were Street Hemi Orange - which they weren't. You know that the Street Hemi's had two oranges....66-early 69 and later 69 to 71. The other orange was different.
I say if your engine was 100% turquoise - paint it that way (at least that exact color is being reproduced) and if it was blue - match the color and paint it blue. There are no doubts. stories or excuses on that pic I posted. Enough two-fingered typing for the day!
Every (almost every now) original engine I have seen and have pics from appear to be more blue than turquoise....maybe there was a mix. I have checked with FB and others as well and their stuff is blue. Even the engines in the car tests from the old Road and Track show were blue. I know they weren't orange - as the 2 plants that were building 340's were not producing Hemi's or big blocks.....so no orange paint would be in their inventory.....until the 70 model year. Mopar Action has addressed it as well but have made mistakes about what plant(s) were producing 340's and saying that 383/440's (and 70 340's) were Street Hemi Orange - which they weren't. You know that the Street Hemi's had two oranges....66-early 69 and later 69 to 71. The other orange was different.
I say if your engine was 100% turquoise - paint it that way (at least that exact color is being reproduced) and if it was blue - match the color and paint it blue. There are no doubts. stories or excuses on that pic I posted. Enough two-fingered typing for the day!
Posted By: VS29H0B
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/11/11 07:19 PM
Quote:
Hi Scott - The response was not to your post. I was actually going to reply to your pic.....that is definitely turquoise! I was replying to the PCV and other comments as well.
Every (almost every now) original engine I have seen and have pics from appear to be more blue than turquoise....maybe there was a mix. I have checked with FB and others as well and their stuff is blue. Even the engines in the car tests from the old Road and Track show were blue. I know they weren't orange - as the 2 plants that were building 340's were not producing Hemi's or big blocks.....so no orange paint would be in their inventory.....until the 70 model year. Mopar Action has addressed it as well but have made mistakes about what plant(s) were producing 340's and saying that 383/440's (and 70 340's) were Street Hemi Orange - which they weren't. You know that the Street Hemi's had two oranges....66-early 69 and later 69 to 71. The other orange was different.
I say if your engine was 100% turquoise - paint it that way (at least that exact color is being reproduced) and if it was blue - match the color and paint it blue. There are no doubts. stories or excuses on that pic I posted. Enough two-fingered typing for the day!
I had a completely factory original 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 built in the LA plant, and the 340 engine was turquiose from the factory (NEVER OUT OF THE CAR - NEVER re-PAINTED).
Posted By: 69Cuda340S
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/12/11 04:57 AM
Bought my car from the original owner in '79 and it was totaly untouched and it was turquiose.
Posted By: Rhinodart
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/12/11 05:41 AM
69 273's were blue, so it may be possible that ONE 340 accidentily got painted blue. 
I have documented 5 original owner Swingers and GTS' and all were turquoise. 
I have documented 5 original owner Swingers and GTS' and all were turquoise.
Posted By: GO_Fish
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/12/11 06:50 AM
Quote:
69 340 - Actually - it is Blue....Not the Turquoise that the 68 BB's had.
Do you have a partial VIN for this engine that would confirm very late production?
Are you dismissing as false the Chrysler Canada memo that detailed that '69 340's were to be painted turquoise?
My 69 340 is numbers matching, and still with its original bore. Never any machine work to the block, and it is still wearing its original turquoise.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/12/11 07:15 AM
Quote:
69 273's were blue
Right, I was wondering if the blue engine valve cover pic posted above by Jim may even be a 273? Some more pics showing the entire engine, the car, and some numbers info might answer some questions.
Posted By: gtx6970
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/12/11 02:22 PM
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/12/11 04:25 PM
Thanks for the link Bill
Jim, I can now see that your example definately leans towards blue as opposed to most turquoise examples that lean towards a more green shade, maybe a variable in the paint mixing process or possibly a mix as you suggested. As I mentioned in my first post, based on all of the turquoise examples I'm encountered I'd consider the shade on yours to be one of the exceptions that came through with a non "typical" color.
Nice car BTW!
Quote:
Every (almost every now) original engine I have seen and have pics from appear to be more blue than turquoise....maybe there was a mix.
Jim, I can now see that your example definately leans towards blue as opposed to most turquoise examples that lean towards a more green shade, maybe a variable in the paint mixing process or possibly a mix as you suggested. As I mentioned in my first post, based on all of the turquoise examples I'm encountered I'd consider the shade on yours to be one of the exceptions that came through with a non "typical" color.
Nice car BTW!
Posted By: Dean_Kuzluzski
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/12/11 05:30 PM
My 69 340 GTS w/ac is/was, has always been, turquoise.
Posted By: JOES4FORTY
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/14/11 04:07 PM
I would love to see a photo of the x casting on the head on this blue 340 engine or maybe the casting date.
Posted By: GO_Fish
Re: 1969 340 auto trans with A/C, correct engine color? - 03/14/11 11:43 PM
the mag article linked above says the car is 6/69 production date. I don't know how close (or very close) that is to the end of '69 production. It does have the plastic limiter caps on the carb, which earlier 69 340's did not.
Is this car listed in the 69 GTS/ Swinger registry?
Is this car listed in the 69 GTS/ Swinger registry?