Painted Powerheads?

[Mumbles]

What year did OMC start painting their powerheads black instead of the same color as the motor ?

[dan-in-tn]

It was when they moved assembly to the southern plants. The assembly system for motors changed. The powerhead was built, painted, & dressed before being bolted to the midsection. Other models were painted before the casting were machined (lost foam blocks). It all depended on the casting & assembly plant.
I believe the year was 1984 for 1985 models.

Dan in TN

[/b]

[Mumbles]

Thanks Dan! ’84 is as new as I have at the moment and they are painted all one color.

[Tinman]

Speaking of paint on powerheads, was there a time when they didn’t paint anything under the cowl? I have an early 50’s qd and everything is bare underneath.

[Tinman]

[wedgie]

I have read that they didn’t paint powerheads that were replaced under warranty.

[dan-in-tn]

{content}I have often wondered about that? QD & RDs from the early 50s are not painted. I’m not sure when they became painted, but have some of both without paint. Funny thing is I have several JW-10s and all are painted. Since JWs didn’t come out till 1952 maybe that’s our answer?

Dan in TN

• This reply was modified 5 years, 3 months ago by dan-in-tn.

[fisherman6]

I don’t know about all the different series. The QDs started getting painted powerheads on 1953 from way I can tell. I have 2 1952 QD-13s with bare powerheads, and three 1953 QD-14s with painted powerheads. For what it’s worth bith if my 1954 RD-16s have painted powerheads as well.
-Ben

OldJohnnyRude on YouTube

[fleetwin]

Tinman wrote:

that’s a beauty!

[Tinman]

Thank you! It’s a qd-12 and I also have a qd-14 that is in great shape. I think they have seen very little use. Proud to have them and hope to get them up and running someday.

[Author]

Posts