The orange engine colour is called X2 engine red. It was used on at least X2 and 186S engines in HD-HR, and SBC design engines in HK-HQ (except for the last of HQ). I can't recall exactly if HK-HG 186S were the same colour but an old memory tells me they were Rocket Red, someone here will confirm, and will probably know the gold on the air cleaner, oil cap and fan too. Chevy orange wasn't used on engines in Holdens.

Edited by user Friday, 26 July 2019 3:17:16 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I havent looked into it too deeply but I've always thought standard engines leading up to HK were painted the darker/brownish 'Holden Engine Red 6266' while X2 and 186S engines were painted the 'X2 Engine Red 8929' then from HK onwards (or from whenever 'Rocket Red' was invented) they were all 'Rocket Red' including the HK 186S.

I would think after Holden started using 'Rocket Red' they probably didnt bother painting the occasional 186S engine a slightly different colour when most customers wouldnt notice the difference anyway.

So my money is on HK 186S engines painted 'Rocket Red'