This is a Ford 289 engine. This is a California car.
The first photo shows crystalized engine coolant on top of the thermostat. The coolant was changed, then the car sat for 15 years and this happened.
The second photo shows how the original owner painted parts under the hood gold color. I don't know what he was thinking, but he even painted some rubber hoses gold. The fins on the engine fan are even painted gold, but it's not in the picture. I wonder what service station attendants thought when they opened the hood and saw the gold engine. I wonder if the movie Gold Finger (1964) influenced him? I have to hand it to him though, the paint didn't chip off and it lasted a long time.
Crystalized engine coolant
Gold colored engine parts
