I would think the black

 

Accent the valve cover.

 

I did an engine for my old half ton white with black valve covers aluminium intake. Looked really good for about a week. I've heard Robert Yates paints his NASCAR engines white to show fluid leaks. Cat yellow would be sweet or Cummins red. But alas AMC blue would be cool and proper

 

is mud a color cause wen i open my hoods that wat color mine are

 

I'm gonna be doing plum purple whenever I get the chance.

 

The Black block masks the accumulated grime. Flat Black will dissipate heat well also if one were to debate colour performance of heat transfer. Not that the 4.0 would see the effects variance. Clean the surface very well prior to painting!!
Valve covers are nice. I prep aluminum covers with couple good cleanings of oven cleaner and good clean water rinse. Dry thoroughly. VHT paints are very durable to the heat cycles and mixed fluids environment under the hood.
Unique block colors are always a treat, but if you run the rig long enough, even the best gaskets set will start to weep.

 

Cut the valve cover flutes, I see......

 

Cruiser, I'm not sure I understand the reference to the "flutes". The internal breather baffle tubes are still at stock length. I've been told they could be cut shorter to reduce blow. These do have a 1/2" dia hole drilled in the side near the upper end. I also run the stock thiin metal reed valve at the top of the baffle tube, again trying to reduce fluids in the venting crank pressure. The Peep is over 666000 km and does have some postive crankcase pressure to deal with. No significant oil consumption, but definately positive on the pressure. The exterior top ribs are also at stock height. I run the breather ports together and then run through a screen filter cannister to coalesce on the metal screen any oils/fluids/vapours from the vented gasses flow. The cannister is dribble tubed at the bottom and the vapours continue on the the air box. The air filter still sees some oil contamination. I put a fresh air filter in at every other oil change (about every 14 to 18K Km, about every two months). For the cover gasket, I used a cork on this time round. Silicone to the cover, then some antiseize on the block mating surface. I do like my antiseize for applications that I will service again in the future. I've used the rubber gasket in the past, but it wasn't available conveniently at this time. What am I misinterpreting about the flutes. I don't think the previous owner had the gumption to do much in the way of modifications.

 

I think he thinks you trimmed them down to reduce the amount of crud they suck up.

 

With the exception of the guy in the drivers seat, there be no crud in the Peep.
That's the valve train at about 580000 km. Regular oil service. No build up.
I do see the point on trimming the cover internal breather baffles. I just didn't do them this time. I went with the hole in the side up higher in the baffle. Just don't have a good pic of that. I didn't want to make too many changes at a time. Then if there is a change it's hard to determine what worked and what was redundant. I do believe the baffles are still at stock length. Am considering trimming at a time of future gasket service.

 

Kubota orange is purdy

 

Click on the pink link in my signature. Go to post 25

 

Can't go wrong with AMC blue

 

I knew there was some reason I liked these engines a lot. I had know idea AMC Blue could look so close to Alpine Green with the right lighting.

 

FIFY





Now watch as cruisers head explodes!!! Lol