engine paint-primer?

I am getting my 390 ready to paint ford blue and want to know if there is any kind of primer that has to go on first? Thanks!
-Ben

You should only need a high temp spray paint, you dont need anything more really.

True "High Temp" paint is not what you need on an engine. High temp paint is for headers, exhaust, etc. Use "engine paint" (what a concept...). We use PlastiKote, but there are other brands that are quite good. Avoid Seymour... We also use a "self-etching" primer available at most automotive paint stores (not parts stores). When "show" is important, the primer helps the paint last longer.

Bottom line, if you want the paint to stay on, and if you even want to paint the engine the same color as the car and have it last, use a quality etching primer, AFTER you have got every speck of oil off the block and washed it down with soap and water. Etching primer can be bought in spray cans from parts stores but it's less expensive if you get some from a body shop and use a small gun to spray it on.

If you're just using standard engine paint, they all sell engine paint primer, but it's no where near as good as the etching primer. You can get etching primer from Eastwood too!

Sonny
http://racingstudebakers.com