MM 1952 engine colour (Gray or Green)?

[karlcouchMM1952]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what colour my engine should be? My car is an MM 1952… (Reg: RAS 917 originally VNO 69 – I think)?

I always thought that MM engines were painted gray, however I was reading a book last night and it stated that later MM’s moved to ‘Bronze Green’ engines. This was news to me and therefore was wondering if anyone could tell me what colour it should be? And if so, where I can get hold of the correct colour I need… paint codes etc.

Many Thanks,

Karl.

[taupe]

Hi

If its the original engine fitted in the car I would have a scrape around on your existing engine... there's bound to be some of the original paint left.

Taupe

[WPR678B]

If its the original engine fitted in the car

If this is indeed VNO 79 then the engine was fully rebuilt and re-painted by the then owner. I am going back about 20 years or so when I knew the car!
Shame its lost its original reg though

[smithskids]

I have just repainted my 1951 sidevalve and Dust Grey with a spot of royal blue looks about right. I believe some were grey and some were blue grey. I am trying to find out what Grey the grill should be on a 1951 Black Tourer??

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Birch Grey I'd have thought was the correct grille colour for 1951.

[seriesmm_1]

Ray Newells book Original Morris Minor states the painted grille on later series mm was generally finished in body colour but black cars were a special case in having a contrasting grey grille, birch grey being the shade most frequently used

[seriesmm_1]

With regard to the original post engine colours were painted grey however some cars had engines painted light blue,red & towards end of production green was used. Once again Ray Newells book

[karlcouchMM1952]

That’s the book I noticed that the later MM engines were painted green. Green is the colour its painted currently but I was hoping to know what specific colour green it was. Or if a 1952 should still have the gray engine? I have had a look and I can’t seem to see any original paint. Out of interest, who owned the car and rebuilt the engine 20 years ago?

[smithskids]

Thanks folks Birch Grey it will be.

[orb596]

The car used to be owned by Colin and Lyn Field who lived in Southampton. They completely rebuilt the car car themselves. They were quite active on the club scene back then and were Dorset branch members for a long time. Unfortunately a messy divorce etc meant that their cars were sold and neither of them are now seen.

[karlcouchMM1952]

Thats sad that after all their hard work rebuilding the car neither of them ended up keeping it. However, on a happier note my wife and I used the car for our wedding back in September... so I guess the car has seen it share of both sad and happy times over its 60 years.

[TvdWerf]

this is the original one from my 1951 MM:[frame][/frame]

And a younger engine from 1952, with a separate head, without a date.[frame][/frame]

[karlcouchMM1952]

The green engine looks a very similar green to mine. Maybe green is the way to go then. Does anyone know what the paint colour is called or the paint code? Also, if anyone knows a good supplier as well it would be most appreicated.

[TvdWerf]

a few months ago, I found a supplier on Ebay, but this one did not have the option to send it to me (Netherlands)
I am sure the green one is the original, so when someone can tell where to buy the paint ?

[mike.perry]

As the engines were supplied by the Birmingham engine factory to Cowley the paint colour for the engines is not recorded.
I used Hammerite Smooth Green on my '52 engine which looks OK in a green car

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

a few months ago, I found a supplier on Ebay, but this one did not have the option to send it to me (Netherlands)
I am sure the green one is the original, so when someone can tell where to buy the paint ?

If you look here: http://www.hmgpaint.com/resources/briti ... lour-chart

you will see a chart of British Standard colours. It would probably have closely conformed to one of these, and they are readily available from ebay suppliers ready mixed in aerosol cans. Indeed, this is how I selected my S.II engine colour. Note the mid-Bronze Green of later 948 & 1098 engines is listed but would not have been used on the sidevalve.

[seriesmm_1]

Has anyone tried to take the brass engine plate off to see if there is a colour behind it or was the engine painted after the plate was assembled

[karlcouchMM1952]

I didnt realise that there are no records (codes etc) of the engine colours. I was hoping to get the specific colour to make it look as orignial as possible. Thats disappointing... thanks for the info though Mike.

The engine has been re painted with a random colour green. I had a look all around the engine for the original colour but no luck.

I have checked out the website as suggested and I have decided to go for LIGHT BRUNSWICK GREEN - Bs381-225, based on the info that everyone has kindly suggested. I think its as close as I'm going to get.

Thanks everyone.[frame][/frame]

[TvdWerf]

Today I got the paint, from a guy at the end of my street.
I had given him a part from the engine to search.
He found out without knowing it was a Morris, the BLMC trident green for a rover is the best liking color.
A small test today told it could be the right one, the time and oil in the past 63 years could make it not easy to find the perfect one, but from 1 meter you do not see a big difference ;)

Code : 1988 LRC 325