Engine compartments....stock look or slightly modified??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Originally Posted by ajrothm
Ya you are right bro but...black headers look like *** after the coating wears off. Not to mention the ceramic helps keep the heat in the pipe and not as much on my feetsies. I am not necessarily going to "disguise" everything in there. I just want it to look correct and detailed in a stock like fashion.
Can you paint aluminum heads and it look good and not flake off? If I could paint the heads, I would probably paint the intake and the water pump also, then the only non stock looking thing would be the headers which is pretty common on restos today.
Can you paint aluminum heads and it look good and not flake off? If I could paint the heads, I would probably paint the intake and the water pump also, then the only non stock looking thing would be the headers which is pretty common on restos today.
spray aluminum with etching primer before painting.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Originally Posted by Little Mouse
your 195 AFR eliminator heads with the AFR stampings on front
will be filled in before painting ??
will be filled in before painting ??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 922
Likes: 164
From: Hudson NH
I generally prefer an engine bay that at least gives a nod towards the factory appearance. For me its always been about striking a balance between functional improvement and (factory) appearance. Its hard to “hide” headers, aftermarket heads and intake manifolds. In my case, I kept the stock valve covers, air cleaner, alternator and cooling systems and loosely based the engine appearance on an L-88.
Variety being the spice of life, I like well executed modifications as well as a factory correct restoration.
Take care,
Mark
Variety being the spice of life, I like well executed modifications as well as a factory correct restoration.
Take care,
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Slightly modified for a sleeper. L-82 valve covers, no name chrome air cleaner, stock chrome ig. shields, al. intake, etc. Many don't know Corvette setups (esp. year specific) anyway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,477
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
I love the stock sleeper look that runs like a scalded dog!
I was considering to do the sleeper stroker thing with mine but when it came apart the block/insides looked too good to throw away. I did swap the heads out though. Those Dart Iron Eagles are hard to spot with all the acessories and dummy polution controls in there.
Once this one wears out I will definately stroke it
Some day.
-Mark.
I was considering to do the sleeper stroker thing with mine but when it came apart the block/insides looked too good to throw away. I did swap the heads out though. Those Dart Iron Eagles are hard to spot with all the acessories and dummy polution controls in there.
Once this one wears out I will definately stroke it
Some day.-Mark.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 1
From: Prescott Arizona
After I first got my car 10 years ago, I went for the shiny look.....
Then, when I put my new engine in, I went with a more tame look......
I like the wolf in sheep's clothing look better.
Then, when I put my new engine in, I went with a more tame look......
I like the wolf in sheep's clothing look better.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood TN
ajrothm - I'm running Comp Cams Pro Magnum Rocker Arms 1.52 without a girdle. The locking nuts were too tall for the stock valve covers so I used a 1" spacer (1/2 inch probably would have worked but I could only find a 1"). I had to use a 1" longer AC belt so I could clear the valve covers - works great.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
Originally Posted by ajrothm
Plus I don't think they will fit under my AC brackets.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 383
Likes: 3
From: san diego
someone mentioned painting aluminum heads....
Can you paint aluminum engine parts? Why don't you usually see that? Is it the bling factor? I am considering a lightweight aftermarket block and like many in the thread would like some semblance of stock-ness. I know the educated eye will pick it out but the educated ear will also be able to tell before even looking, It was a 165HP smogged wonder after all.
steve
Can you paint aluminum engine parts? Why don't you usually see that? Is it the bling factor? I am considering a lightweight aftermarket block and like many in the thread would like some semblance of stock-ness. I know the educated eye will pick it out but the educated ear will also be able to tell before even looking, It was a 165HP smogged wonder after all.
steve
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Actually, I now decided to hold up on my build up for a while. I have a few bills i need to pay off and then I am going to start saving up for the build. I want to do it right the first time so I decided on building a 496" BB. It will have aluminum heads/intake and water pump but I will run the factory chrome valve covers because I love em on BBs. I have been pricing the stuff out and I can build forged 496" with aluminum Dart heads for $6k. I would need to buy headers for a BB or SB either way so, thats not really additional cost. The additional cost comes in the pulleys/brackets and maybe radiator. Also I will have to switch to a L88 hood. With a mild 496" I can run a relatively tight converter(3k stall) and my 3.08s to start with and it will still run hard. Lots of TQ. Should make 550-575hp with a hyd flat tap and lots of low end.
That is the plan for the moment. It will be next summer before I start now but I think I will be happier with it that way. I want this biotch to run mid 11s in the heat and be mild enough to drive everyday without swapping trannies, gears etc.
Might even get ole 427Hotrod to give me a hand since he is the BB guru.
That is the plan for the moment. It will be next summer before I start now but I think I will be happier with it that way. I want this biotch to run mid 11s in the heat and be mild enough to drive everyday without swapping trannies, gears etc.
Might even get ole 427Hotrod to give me a hand since he is the BB guru.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 442
From: Southwest MI
Originally Posted by ajrothm
..... I want to do it right the first time so I decided on building a 496" BB. ....Might even get ole 427Hotrod to give me a hand since he is the BB guru.
let's face it, take a common 454 block, add a stroker crank and with decent heads, cam and intake you can make some very serious power.
you'll find these interesting reading.......
http://www.compcams.com/Community/Ar...ID=-2023343081
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tec..._chevy_engine/
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/eng...olet/bigblock/
