Anybody got any "factory stock" underhood pics (454)

Until my S3 gets here I'm gathering up parts to take the car to the "next level"...

Got my tires/wheels (Corvette 15x8 with 275/60s and 245/60s).



Besides fixing up the interior, I'd like to tackle the engine bay as well. Being a mopar guy for the last 20 years I'm used to painted engine compartments. What the correct paint scheme for a 74 Laguna S3 engine bay with a 454 w/o AC? Semi gloss black? Is the brake booster painted, plated? firewall? Frame rails?

I can't find anything on this anywhere - thanks in advance for your help

Dave
'74 S3 454/4spd

Here is one:









Here is another unmolested '73 but the same story for a '74:



Here is one that has been painted up and some aren't exactly the correct shades:


Thanks -

>>>What the correct paint scheme for a 74 Laguna S3 engine bay with a 454 w/o AC? Semi gloss black? Is the brake booster painted, plated? firewall? Frame rails? >>>

You can compare just about any original '68 to '75 Chevrolet engine compartment to get colors. The firewall, fenderwells, and core support are all the same color black. The paint description which is designates the amount of gloss by a percentage which I don't know off the top of my head.

Booster is black, painted by GM not plated.

Oh and from the factory, the frame, suspension and rear end were shipped unpainted... So rust is OEM.

Yeah I know, who wants rust?

How many body off restorations have you seen with an unpainted chassis?

None.

Okay thanks - black it is, here's what it looks like now - hmmmm, where are my fender braces?



Dave C
'74 S3 454/4spd

In some cases its red oxide paint under there not rust. Ive seen a few very low mileage cars and if you look under there it looks all rusty but its paint.

dcastine wrote:Okay thanks - black it is, here's what it looks like now - hmmmm, where are my fender braces?



Dave C
'74 S3 454/4spd

IN MY GARAGE i have a spare set want them, they are for sale

I'll let you know, they may be in the trunk with a bunch of other parts - the car should be here soon, I hope!

Thanks Limey

Dave C

Maybe I'm wrong but neither of my 454 cars had them when I got them. The first was a very untouched car and I found no evidence that it ever had them. But both my smallblock cars have them on. ????? Anyone have an answer or am I nuts.

You're nuts.

LOL

Well I find it funny both small blocks have them and neither big block does.

For Monte Carlos, the braces went on all 1973 cars and that was the only year for the 2nd gen Montes (1973-77), big block or small block.

Here's the underhood of my very (100%) stock and original 1974 Y-code Monte (only thing changed are belts, hoses and new master cylinder):

yogreasygramma

Thanks!!!

Dave C
'74 S3 454/4spd

Glad I could help, Dave. It's pretty amazing that my 74 is in such factory original condition. And if I don't have to sell it, I will eventually re-do some things (original paint is worn thin and cracking) like a repaint and then perhaps some work on the engine, like removing the old air pump and other emissions stuff. I will add the engine braces too (already have them) because I like the way they look and they do improve handling.