Dan, I painted mine & agree with others here. I painted the block with the heads on it. Just get a plug kit. It will have them for the spark plug holes, header flange ect.... I bolted on everything I could at painting time so most the bolts heads were done at the same time. It's too hard to re-paint or touch up the bolt heads later. I put in the brass freeze plugs after. I also used epoxy primmer but, I tinted it to my base color so scratches ect. wouldn't show as bad. The base/clear method is the best I've found for protection from
oil, fuels ect. It has held up very well. If you want a easy & cheaper wat to go, try the brush on type. I hear good things about them also. I wanted mine to match the body color.
Thanks,
Kev