Ok here's the deal, has anyone come up with the proper color RED for the engine block? Krylon and various other rattle cans have lots of red colors but they just don't look right. I have some touchup to do, so is red realy red and is there a real Volvo red out there. No not "BRICK RED".
Hey I'm still Havinfun with this project, the research and this site in particular are invaluable, thank you all.

Follow-up on Red is Red isn't it?
The Ford Red is just right, and thanks for the information. I'm wondering however how the Ford people knew that their RED would be used on a Volvo?

Hey just kidding you guys.

Also a follow-up on the valve cover plating, as best as the "professional Platers" are concerned it was Zinc plated (early) and Yellow Zinc on the later models. This opinion was given after visual inspection of a '65 valve cover.

Progress report on the 1800, (remember this engine hasn't run for over 18 years). Well yesterday it once again ran as a proud member of the 1800 clan.
Some down sides, Low compression 100 on #1, 50 on #2, 40 on #3 and 125 on #4.
I think (I hope) the rings just need to clear the old age off them and with some running a better compression.
Rear brake cylinders needed blasting caps to free the pistons, bit the dust and replaced them.
Fuel pump had some 1965 dried up crud from the gasoline, diaphram still good but all else corroded, replaced that also.
Thought I'd try the radio, no luck, fuse was ok but no responce. This is a Bendix Volvo model 5BN. Have any of you out there had this model repaired, or replaced with a newer all solid state unit? Maybe one with a AM/FM and CD changer?
Last but not least every control cable is siezed up. I would like to replace all of them if I could find the cable/sheithing. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I'm Havinfun, thanks to you all.

Congrats on the revival! Hope the low compression is just stuck rings -- you might squirt some Marvel Mystery Oil down the spark plug holes and let it sit for a day or two; might help free them.

I'm no help on the radio, sorry...

The control cables are just generic stock you can cut to length yourself -- check with a motorcycle place, or failing that, try RPR.

If you want to match what the red Volvo engine color was like when it was new, Plastikote #206 (Old Ford Red) is very, very close. If you want your motor to look like it did when new, that's it.

It does NOT match the much darker color that Volvo engine paint turns after 35+ years, so that's why many people think it's "too red." If you want your motor to look "pre-aged," that's not it.

I've been using Rustoleum rusty metal primer followed by Rustoleum Regal Red.
Maybe not a perfect match but close enough to suit me. I don't like the
Chevy red- it is too orange.
It is important to let the paint dry really well before assembling the engine.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

I think Plasti-kote Universal Red comes pretty close to the red on Volvo engines fresh from Sweden forty years ago. Yeah, I know, who can remember a color that long. Anyway, I've used it and liked the way it looked. I bought some POR Classic Ford Red engine paint for the B-20 I just rebuilt, but it was too pinkish and I had to add a lot of yellow gel coat tint to it to make it look like Volvo Red.

You (or anyone for that matter) can't remember a color at all.. thats why all the paint chip charts so you can take it with you to match.. same with carpet and wall paper samples. the human mind just is not capable of remembering color that well. (I read some of the strangest things...)
Bret
--
rust free in west Texas

For reasons too stupid to discuss here, I bought a brand new oil trap (the teardrop thingy) at a Volvo dealership some years ago. That served as my paint chip. Plastikote #206 matches it almost perfectly.