Paint between the fins? '56

[fijidad]

Slowly working on getting my '56 back together and am wondering if there I should paint between the fins on the valve covers or leave them bare?

I get that the Thunderbird logo in the center gets paint treatment, but not sure about the fins.

[Jimntempe]

Slowly working on getting my '56 back together and am wondering if there I should paint between the fins on the valve covers or leave them bare?

I get that the Thunderbird logo in the center gets paint treatment, but not sure about the fins.

I saw a post on facebook a while ago that said very early in production that between fin area was painted black, but it was soon discontinued. Can't verify.

[ICON 1956]

Here's my engine completed, Yes the Fins are suppose to be painted black. Use hi temp black paint.

[55blacktie]

My 55 was built 01-20-55. There is no black paint between the fins.

[paul2748]

In the CTCI Restoration Manual there is no indication of the valleys between the fins as being painted. The only mention of paint is the red and green paint around the TBird. Most covers I have seen do not have any paint in the valley of the fins.

Most Thunderbirds that I have seen the valleys are unpainted,. The ones that I have seen painted were usually on customized Birds.

The CTCI Concours standards for original cars that I have do not indicate any paint in the valleys.

[ward 57]

Yup spot on. Only seen painted valleys on customs. Even saw one on one of the auctions where the valleys were painted Ford engine red. But the whole rest over it was overdone also.
Just paint the logos in the center and keep the rest polished and just accentuate the natural dark of the vanes. Clean and correct.

[ICON 1956]

Here's a Photo of a set of NOS still in the Ford boxes..... Ford made a lot of changes from the 55 Thunderbird to the 56.

[ward 57]

Dang dude! Those should be in a museum. Who would imagine NOS covers even existed let alone with the boxes. As far as I know, the aluminum covers were the same for all 3 years.
Yes the '56s had several changes from the '55. Cowl vents, sun visors and the continental spare which didn't work well to give the trunk more space. They extended the fenders for the '57 and put the spare back in the trunk.

[55blacktie]

Okay, now that that's settled, how do you distinguish the OEM dress-up valve covers from the reproductions?

[MarkR]

Good question. The only clue I’ve ever heard is that the four red indentions n the Thunderbird logo head are noticeably more shallow than OEM covers.

[ward 57]

Good question. The only clue I’ve ever heard is that the four red indentions n the Thunderbird logo head are noticeably more shallow than OEM covers.

Wish there was a like button but that makes sense. Less detail.

[MarkR]

But now you have to think that if the OEM covers have been kept polished over the last 60+ years those spots may be more shallow anyway. We may never get to the bottom of this.

[ICON 1956]

Inquiring minds want to know LOL !

[Oiseau DeTonnere]

Mine don't look painted in the grooves (just dirty), no idea if they are original or replacement...

[ICON 1956]

I never saw the valve covers without the black painted fins. This question maybe Alan Tast could settle.