riverside69

Guys, anyone have a nice set? (Natural finish finned aluminum) I was not impressed with the Paragon Repro's, expensive too! Thanks.
John

GD70

Look on ebay. I paid 100 bucks, cleaned them up and they look great.

snoopykissedlucy

I got these from my 1981.....same casting but they are painted black with bare fins.
I was tempted to use paint remover because I like the bare metal look. Does anyone know how to tell if they are magnesium vs aluminum?

c6 CHEVY

I have an original set of L82 covers. For judging you will have to repaint or strip for the alu. look. They are in great shape, $60. shipped Jeff

riverside69

For that price I can strip them! PM sent...

Solid LT1

Warning black covers from about 78 and later are magnesium not aluminum. They need to stay in paint to prevent corrosion.

doctorgene

Yes Sir; You know, I never thought about magnesium, I have a 87 & up covers, do you know if they are magnesium, can I polish the magnesium like the aluminum, and clear coat them to keep their shine??? Thanks, Gene

riverside69

Hey, I appreciate the heads up on the Magnesium. I did not know that GM changed them until the C4's. Coincidently, I just got back from the powder coater (he is doing my radiatior suport, shroud and fan). He said the best method for removing paint from aluminum (not sure about magnesium), was chemical stripper. Somebody painted my original dated expansion tank too, so I have been trying to do little research on this. He had a great color of powder coat that had a nice aluminum "look" that may be an option for C6's covers if they are indeed 78 or later.

champs65

Yes, they are magnesium. I stripped mine and tried to polish them and had poor results. I have polished a lot of aluminum before, but these just remained flat and "colorless" if that makes sense.

I can't speak about clear coat maybe bringing out a shine on them after a polish with a super fine grit,, but it would be worth a shot I think.

Solid LT1

When Aluminum corrodes, it forms a protective surface of oxidation, Magnesium is just trouble! Stuff rots away and forms a nasty oxidation with white powder. Mag will corrode internally too, something to think about for all who want American Mag wheels. We used to throw away our motorcycle mags after 3 seasons of use and had them X-rayed for internal cracks buy a team member who worked at a airline maintenance shop.

C4 covers are all Magnesium up until they went DEAD UGLY in 93.

You can polish it then clearcoat Mag to protect it. Don't get it around salt water

riverside69

Ended up NOT buying C6's covers. I didn't think I could successfullly make a bright pair of covers out of his black painted magnesium covers. (Thanks to the posts in this thread) I also did not really want to destroy original parts that will make a late model C3 L82 complete one day. Anyone else have a set of L46/LT1 aluminum covers?

doctorgene

Yes Sir; Mr. Solid LT1, I sanded & polished, than clear coated, the 86 Magnesium valve covers, still lots of pits. I think I might have the other set, I had sand blasted, with the first, Power Coated. I'm trying to let them grow on me for awhile, A Lot of work, to do by hand. 75.00 now in a set of Free covers. LOL Thanks for the tips. Gene

Cardarella

I have a set of alum. LT-1's clean could use a polish. $125. + shipping. Send a email for picture. Mine is winchy1@aol.com