Paint at engine block number location

[rswaffie]

Hi,
I have been advised by an E-Type restoration company that Jaguar put a 'flash' of white paint over the engine number stamped on the block near the oil filter housing. So when they restore customer engines, they replicate this. I had a look at some photos I took of my engine block prior to the engine rebuild and I could see traces of white paint in that area. I'm assuming it was to make reading the number easier once it was installed?
When I've looked at other photos of both original and restored blocks, I have not noticed the white paint.
Can anyone provide any info on this?

[abowie]

I've not noticed this myself however anything's possible.

[rswaffie]

I didn't know anything about this until they showed me the rebuilt engines and explained the white paint on them, so I dug out a photo of mine prior to restoration. You can see the remnants of the white paint.