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Topic: Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice

in Forum: C3 Engines


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Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (1/14)
 3/24/11 5:25pm
tinbender
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edgwood, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.


Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736

 I got the valve covers and tried them on the car,they look good on the car.Paul had the right idea about using studs.They are painted black but need to be redone.I am going to take them to work and glass bead them,what I am looking for is advice on painting them.How can I get that look black cover with the ribs not painted.Also do I have to do anything to them after I clean the paint to preserve them till I paint them.
               
tinbender2011-04-17 17:02:12
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Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (2/14)
 3/24/11 10:47pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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Paint them, then sand the paint off the fins...that's how they're done to begin with.....unless you wanna spend all day taping the fins off before painting.
Are these aluminuminum, or the Magnesium ones?


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Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (3/14)
 3/24/11 11:12pm
tinbender
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edgwood, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.


Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736

The guy said they were aluminum.How do you tell the magnesium ones.
      Rick
Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (4/14)
 3/25/11 2:05am
yostusota
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York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top


Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

Rick use a sanding block to sand off the fins before you paint them..then they will be uniform before you paint them..then use the same setup to sand them off after you paint them..use some sort of clear coat when your done..they make an epoxy paint that is shiny I think they make in clear..Rodney used it on his 74 motor and looks new..not sure how to tell on aluminum or magnesium ..don't think either one is magnetic..

Rich

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Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (5/14)
 3/25/11 8:00am
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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The magnesium ones are much lighter in weight than alum, but a bit darker in color of the raw material. Magnesium will also tarnish relatively quick when unprotected. If you've ever seen the valve covers of an early C4, and noticed they were turning brown....that's mag. Even when painted, they can turn colors. Of course, if you paint then black, it helps, which is one of the reasons the OE C3 mag covers were black epoxy painted....and that stuff is HARD to get off without blasting them with something.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say, that if these vcs are black, and the paint on them now appears to be an epoxy type paint, they are most likely gonna be mag. If ya wanna be sure tho, just set them on fire...if they sparkle like fireworks, they're magnesium...if they just melt, they're aluminuminum...


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Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (6/14)
 3/25/11 8:35am
Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

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1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior


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Sanding the tops of the fins first is a good idea.  Before painting you can also cover the tops of the fins with petroleum jelly.  After the paint dries you can simply wipe off the fins and expose the bare metal.  After that, use an alcohol and water solution to remove any leftover jelly, then spray the entire covers with clear coat.

I like Joel's advice on how to determine if your covers are aluminum or magnesium.  I bet it works quite nicely and is a foolproof way to make a positive ID of them.
Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (7/14)
 3/25/11 10:40am
manchestersharkLifetime Member
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Equinunk, PA - USA

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1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.


Joined: 10/31/2007
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Big smile Wait till 4th of July to do the FIREWORKS, it will fit the occasion better. Go to SPRING CARLISLE and get some re-placements.

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Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (8/14)
 3/25/11 6:00pm
tinbender
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edgwood, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.


Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736

 I'll hold off on the fireworks knowing my luck I would not only burn up the covers ,but the house too.LOL.
 Thanks guys for the advice I'll let you know how they turn out.I'm going to glass bead them tomorrow....(only time I can get the machine) paint them when weather warms up a bit.
     Rick
                         
Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (9/14)
 3/25/11 8:52pm
Jaws79Lifetime Member
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Sykesville, MD - USA

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1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops


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Hope it turns out, Rick!
 
Barry
 
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Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (10/14)
 4/3/11 8:50am
2 cruznLifetime Member
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Poquoson, VA - USA

Vette(s):
73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.


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I have used chap-stik on them and also when i painted my console. It is easy to apply, like a pen and a little firmer, resists slumping
 
 
 
 
[QUOTE=Gunslinger]Sanding the tops of the fins first is a good idea.  Before painting you can also cover the tops of the fins with petroleum jelly.  After the paint dries you can simply wipe off the fins and expose the bare metal.  After that, use an alcohol and water solution to remove any leftover jelly, then spray the entire covers with clear coat.

I like Joel's advice on how to determine if your covers are aluminum or magnesium.  I bet it works quite nicely and is a foolproof way to make a positive ID of them.
[/QUOTE]

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Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (11/14)
 4/3/11 2:13pm
tinbender
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edgwood, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.


Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736

I got the paint cleaned off now I need warmer weather so I can finish them.
Thanks all for the advice I will let you know how they turn out,
      Rick
Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (12/14)
 4/3/11 3:26pm
Jaws79Lifetime Member
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Sykesville, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops


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I want to see them when they're done!
 
Barry
 
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Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (13/14)
 4/4/11 7:57am
RedwingvetteLifetime Member
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Waterford, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Red coupe


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We want pictures!

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73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
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Got the Valve Covers....Now need advice (14/14)
 4/4/11 4:56pm
tinbender
Former Member

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edgwood, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1975 convertible,with the hard top and power streering.it a 350 L48 with auto trans. the color is light blue.


Joined: 11/1/2007
Posts: 736

I cann't show the before(glass beaded already),but I can show before paint and after paint.Pic's coming soon.
            Rick
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