1946-1949 1949 331 Engine color(s?)

[Alex-57]

Hi all -

 I picked up a 49 Cadillac Series 61 that I think hasn't been touched since 1969 and is likely nearly original. A lot of things have had their battle with time and the elements ( this is a field buy) but the engine is an odd color - Red. I know they should be Cadillac blue usually.. but this block and heads are red. The tins all seem to be Cadillac blue.

Now I know this could be a repaint.. but I've seen this same color red on other 331's (like the one in that supercharger run stand video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD_QX6LBW7I   ). I can't seem to find anything that says red as everyone says "it should be Cad blue"..

Was there a 1949 331 Cadillac engine option that painted the block and heads red prior to switching to all blue?

A little about the engine:

4 bolt perimeter valve covers
I don' t think the engine has ever been removed or apart considering the last tagged date (1969) and sludge build up
Vin matches the block @ front passenger cylinder head area.
No blue paint below the red when I scrape it - blue paint only on tins.

 - Alex

[Caddieman53]

Nope. No Engine options were offered. Check the engine number. in your case it should start with 4961. Just a quick check to see if the engine was changed out at some point. The original engine color is the dark blue.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Dark Cadillac Blue. Hirsch has the best. Easy to apply and durable.
https://www.hirschauto.com/mobile/AEROSOL-ENGINE-ENAMEL/productinfo/EEA-SPRAY/CAD%20DK%20BLU/

[Alex-57]

Nope. No Engine options were offered. Check the engine number. in your case it should start with 4961. Just a quick check to see if the engine was changed out at some point. The original engine color is the dark blue.

 Correct it is 4961. The engine is coated with more crud than I've ever seen. No evidence of blue on the cast iron. I wonder though because the engine on the run stand in the you tube video has the same paint scheme on it and it looks just as dated / faded.

Dark Cadillac Blue. Hirsch has the best. Easy to apply and durable.
https://www.hirschauto.com/mobile/AEROSOL-ENGINE-ENAMEL/productinfo/EEA-SPRAY/CAD%20DK%20BLU/

  Thanks for the paint from Hirsch. I've used them three times now. Superior quality and plenty of paint for an engine with 1 quart.

 - Alex

[Alex-57]

Under tons of road gunk

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Under tons of road gunk

Yep, I get it. Here is ours when we got it.