Engine/exhaust paint question

[pmulcahy]

Does painting your engine reduce the heat dissipation/cooling qualities of an Aircooled engine?

[Mr Bean]

Not in my opinion even if the paint had magic heat disipative properties. My Classic Ski Boat has a mildly tuned 1600 Xflow engine with dry sump, Twin choke Delorto 45 and a straight through four branch with water injection when on the plane. I have the four branch section wrapped in asbestos string so as to reduce the heat radiated into the engine compartment. In my opinion once the exhaust leaves the engine the only contribution it can make to overheating the engine is by rasing the temperature in the engine bay on its way away from the engine. Hence my asbesos string. I am a great believer in oil coolers though.Others may have different views.
Cheers
Wolfie
(I know it ain't Asbestos but Fibreglass. I won't get Asbestosis but it doen't half make my elbows itch when I lean on the exhaust while chewing the cud with the other boring old farts!