Red Oxide Internal Engine Paint

[Rob Peterson]

What's the official name of the red oxide paint used on the inside of engines to seal the casting and improve oil return?

Did IH paint the inside of the SD- BD- BG- engines with this stuff at the factory, or is it the potential sign of a rebuilt engine? I've had the oil pan, pushrod cover and valve cover off my 1956 BD-264 and noted that all the casting surfaces were painted with this, and the inside of the engine is spotless, especially considering the age of the vehicle.

I bought a Ford 302 for another project that was rebuilt at Jasper Engines and the internal casting surfaces of this engine were painted the same way.

[Jim Grammer]

Glyptal.

Eastwood, et al carry it.

I've never seen it inside an engine that I believed to be OEM.

[WRENCH MAN]

yep, it's suppose to be a sealer paint for electrical motors, but all the race engine builders say to use it!

[Rob Peterson]

is it the potential sign of a rebuilt engine?

I've never seen it inside an engine that I believed to be OEM.

The engine sheetmetal parts on the BD-264 are all painted black, the block and head are painted IH red on the exterior. Combine that with the glyptal treatment, makes me think I may have a reman or replacement engine.

[Paul "Misterfixit" Schulz]

Searching for 'glyptol' on google, i found out that glyptol is a division of GE, jim, any other product codes/names etc that might help my search to find the product downunder? my old 281 c1200 was coated red inside and anything to improve oil return from the heads of our SV engines would be a bonus!

[Jim Grammer]

Assuming you don't want to mail order it from Eastwood... :D

I bet a quick ring 'round to either an engine machinist or electric motor rebuilder would net you the local equivalent.

[WRENCH MAN]

my old 281 c1200 was coated red inside

I've seen LOTS of castings with this on the inside, mostly transmissions, so some of these things are no doughtedly originally equipped with this "coating" from the factory!?
I also don't wonder if they coat them to keep any of the sand from contaminating the oils after it's been put into service?

[Carl Wiese]

Tom Mandera was recommending I use Gryptol on my 392, but didn't as I couldn't find it locally. When he opend his race 304 up the gryptol had all pealed off the engine valley. I'd make 100% sure I was following the prep instrcutions before I used it. I'd hate to have it flake off and plug teh oil pump intake.

[John Donnelly]

I have red oxide paint on the inside of my BG241 in Terror-all.

I also have found it in 2 BD 264's I have.

SD33's all have it OEM inside the crankcase area of the block.

-John