Back on the block color question... I do have a "factory" example of a faded red orange block.
Sorry to be a tease, but more details on the (sheesh i never updated any of this) website.
Summary: Ford did mfg service and reconditioned blocks out of OKC plant. This plant was sold over to Fred Jones in the mid sixties. This particular motor was stored under a workbench in AR for decades.
No red blocks in Tigers, and probably not in any Ford from new. BUT if there was an issue with original motor as DOA it is possible there could have been one of these placed in at the dealer as a replacement.
Also, as pretty as blue paint (and ARP bolts etc) were after the rebuild, it has since gone back to correct Black color and factory hardware for the early MKIA crossover.
But perhaps this solves a mystery...perhaps it creates more questions... I like the riddles sometimes.
Ti NOS red 289