why cant you just mask off the interior and sealing surfaces?

I cant imagine paint on the inside holding up well to constant oiling.

 

I can. I will likely go this route. I would, however, like to find an alternative so i could paint the interior.

What about a paint meant for engine internals?

My cast iron block was, at some point, coated on the interior (prior to its machining) and it is still very much intact.

so avoid the sealing surface but the rest of the internal (inside of the timing cover) could technically be paint ... but with what?

 

No. Do NOT paint gasket surfaces or the inside of engine components with typical paint. It won't hold up to the oil.

Gasket surfaces shouldn't even be painted with products meant for engine internals as any unevenness can be the source of a leak.

That being said, the only painting of gasket surfaces I've ever done is hi-temp aluminum paint on the head gaskets for 750+ HP alcohol sprint car motors.

 

Ditto what Duane said on painting gasket surfaces.
As for an internal "paint", laquer primer works good. Old school hotrodders looked for ways to get the oil back to the pan faster, and that helped.
As for "masking off", just assemble block, head, and pans prior to real assembly, paint, then take apart and assemble (if that makes sense). On "pretty" engines we'd use brass freeze plugs, installed after paint, with a shot of clear. To REALLY set it off, use stainless or chromed (gulp) fasteners.

Time for some pics BTW....

 

I will use your idea for pre-assembly and paint. I have toyed with the idea of stainless or chromed hardware ... and possibly even all twelve point stuff (i have a soft spot for twelve point stuff), but the budget is blown and unfortunately with life and a new job putting a tight grip on finances, im going to be using what i have or what i can find cheap.

 

:laugh: Good one.