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Topic: Valve cover makeover??

in Forum: C3 Engines


Valve cover makeover??

Posted: 3/18/08 3:26pm Message 11 of 17
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Momence, IL - USA
Joined: 3/11/2008
Posts: 28
Vette(s): 1977 Corvette Coupe Light Corvette Blue
  Media blasting would nbe the easiest way to remove all the paint, dirt, and any corrosion that might be on them.  After that, I would powder coat them.  The finish will be better and it is easier than paint.  Being that the covers are aluminuim, be careful in what media you use as too corse of a midea will wear down the alumnuim.  Any questions, feel free to ask.  Mike Huss6919812008-03-19 06:41:37


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Valve cover makeover??

Posted: 3/19/08 2:34pm Message 12 of 17
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Joined: 11/30/2006
Posts: 441
use a etch primer,for ali . if your going to wet spray them.Joanne2008-03-19 14:35:22


1979 Corvette

Valve cover makeover??

Posted: 3/20/08 3:41am Message 13 of 17
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baton rouge, LA - USA
Joined: 8/12/2006
Posts: 391
Vette(s): 1981 dark metallic blue, dark doeskin leather interior, mirrored glass T Tops, 330hp/350ci GMPP crate engine, billeted aluminum serpentine system, Dewitts with dual spalls
Eastwood sell s a product called liquid chrome.  I am in the process of re doing mine in the next few weeks.  I already sanded them and sprayed an etch primer as Joanne mentioned.  The emblem is also about $7 and do as they say, use cork, I used high heat black RTV silicone and don't overtighten or you will be doing it again!
 
My.02, lol 



Valve cover makeover??

Posted: 3/20/08 8:17am Message 14 of 17
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Joined: 7/2/2006
Posts: 8205
[QUOTE=mkapp7879]I use rtv on BOTH sides of the gaskets, I've used both cork or reinforced rubber. My concern isn't removing them again, it's sealing them FOREVER!
Use black engine enamel, and if mama lets you, pop em in the oven @ 250 degrees for 30 minutes after they dry. Lastly, sandpaper on a block cleans up the exposed fins. Mask off the black around the oil cap hole to keep from scratching there, tho. If your original crossed flags emblem survived removal  rtv will hold it on fine. Or get a new one from any of the venders.
As for torqueing the bolts, I use a 1/4" ratchet with the socket extension between my middle fingers. Just what my wrist will twist is enough torque.
[/QUOTE]     MAMMA gets REAL mad when I bake in HER oven.........do it when she's not going to be around for the day. Make sure to get the smell of the paint out of the oven. Mama can get mighty mad....but what she doesn't know can't hurt her!!!


corvette440hp

Valve cover makeover??

Posted: 3/20/08 9:17am Message 15 of 17
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Horse Cave, KY - USA
Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 488
Vette(s): 1968 convertible; 1980 L-82
 
Clean and degrease them, then shoot them with the Krylon semi-flat black.  It's a near perfect match for the original semi-flat.  You can possibly save the X-ed flags emblems and reglue then, but new replacements are affordable.  Might as well replace the grommets with new ones.
 
Smile



Valve cover makeover??

Posted: 3/21/08 3:28am Message 16 of 17
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Mint Hill, NC - USA
Joined: 10/25/2007
Posts: 123
Vette(s): 1982 White Corvette, dark blue leather interior, 70,000 miles
I just cleaned the covers with paint thinner and used 000 steel wool to scuff them. I then used Dupli-Color caliper paint and it went on smoothly.
 



Valve cover makeover??

Posted: 3/22/08 7:47am Message 17 of 17
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Old Hickory, TN - USA
Joined: 5/26/2003
Posts: 599
Vette(s): 1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////

I stripped mine with paint stripper and a stiff wire brush, then painted the tops silver, masked the ribs, then shot them with high-temp gloss black engine paint, stripped the tape off then bolted them back on then bolted the engine in my 1938 Pontiac.






Dave


in Forum: C3 Engines


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