Engine paint color?

[roadkingg]

I've owned 2 - 79's over the years but recently bought an 86 with the 351 h.o. The engine paint color is gray and still has some of the small decals on the valve covers - it appears it's all factory...

Was gray a stock engine color or do I have a crate motor?

 

[Rons beast]

Not sure of the exact years, but Ford did use gray on factory engines for awhile.

 

[Bronc76]

Gray was a stock engine color beginning in '82.