Valve Covers Freshened Up

[stargazer_61]

Well, since it was time to change the leaky gaskets on my valve covers, I decided to try having them powdercoated. What do you think of the difference?

Before:

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/4923/vcbefore1rn3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6029/vcbefore2bq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[DanDombrowski]

uh, I see no after pictures?

[stargazer_61]

And after:

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1937/vcafter1zr3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/9085/vcafter2og9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/593/vcafter3dh6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

These were done where I work. Glass bead blasted, pre-heated, then coated with a silver which is compatible with out powder coating machine. Preheating was recommended by the machine manufacturer due to the material, magnesium, I think, outgassing under temperature, which would cause a fish-eye effect in the coating. New washers & freshly painted caps & washers finished up the job.

John

[stargazer_61]

uh, I see no after pictures?

Sorry - got delayed by the phone. They're up now.

John

[E34N]

Looks good.

[Sidney Rough-Diamond]

I bought a set off eBay to do the exact same.Picked them up after powder coating and they look great.Got all new gaskets and the rubber inserts.Makes a big difference to an old M60, good work .

[Jon K]

And after:

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1937/vcafter1zr3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/9085/vcafter2og9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/593/vcafter3dh6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

These were done where I work. Glass bead blasted, pre-heated, then coated with a silver which is compatible with out powder coating machine. Preheating was recommended by the machine manufacturer due to the material, magnesium, I think, outgassing under temperature, which would cause a fish-eye effect in the coating. New washers & freshly painted caps & washers finished up the job.

John

Nice but I believe they are Aluminum and it looks like "machine grey" from Eastwood. Also, looks like someone touched the top of the one cover with their finger while it was powder or not yet cured.

Either way, looks pretty good.

[stargazer_61]

I think the fingerprint you are referring to was on them after all was complete. I had taken them up to the marketing office to get them shot under the lights. As far as the manufacturer or the color, I don't know where the powder came from. All I do know is that we buy it by the ton. But you've piqued my curiosity and now I'll ask where it's from. Either way, they look a lot better than they did. Nothing like yours, but I'm happy with them.

[Jon K]

I think the fingerprint you are referring to was on them after all was complete. I had taken them up to the marketing office to get them shot under the lights. As far as the manufacturer or the color, I don't know where the powder came from. All I do know is that we buy it by the ton. But you've piqued my curiosity and now I'll ask where it's from. Either way, they look a lot better than they did. Nothing like yours, but I'm happy with them.


No it looks good - I am 90% sure its Machine Grey from Eastwood. Looks just like the PC job my buddy did on his S52 turbo in his E30:

http://voytilla.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/normal_P3082735.JPG

[Evan]

They look great! Do you have a p ic of them installed?

[stargazer_61]

Jon K,

Yeah, your buddy's looks very similar to mine. I wish they were more silver, but oh well. I can't complain about how much it cost me :)

And yeah, I agree with all the others that it is the crank seal. I noticed how the oil was spread along your timing cover (?) from your crank pulley. Stupid question, how are your timing cover gaskets?

Evan,

I'm going to shoot some today or tomorrow and post. I also painted the cap bolts & washers in Wurth High Heat Aluminum just for kicks.

The company I work for is considering contracting out large and small PC jobs and I've volunteered my engine as a model.

[mikeythekidd]

Sweet...Can't wait until My valve covers leak so I can do that to mine. ;-)
No seriously they look hot!