Engine and valve cover color

Hi,

I have a 1964 Skylark with the 300CI 2BBL engine. I am planning on painting the engine and engine bay over the winter. According to the 'reference' section here, that engine should be silver, but mine is NOT silver and it appears to the be original engine. Somewhat confused. Does anyone have the same engine and model year?

I want to keep my work as original as possible and factory where original isn't possible. I can always clean up the engine and not touch the paint, but it's not very nice to look at the way it is.

Also want to know if the valve covers should be the same color as the engine block.

John

If it has aluminum heads and intake manifold
it should be painted aluminum color.
Block and valve covers were the same color.