Engine Clean Up
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 38
From: Mankato Mn
Engine Clean Up
I've pulled the engine & tranny out of my 79 L82 to freshen up the engine & engine bay. A few questions.....
I've got the block, heads, pan etc painted. I'm going to bead blast the intake & valve covers. Is there a decent clear coat available at my local parts house that will stand up on the intake & valve covers ? Do I need any special sealant on the gaskets when I re-assemble ? (pan, timing chain cover, intake, fuel pump, water pump)
I've got the block, heads, pan etc painted. I'm going to bead blast the intake & valve covers. Is there a decent clear coat available at my local parts house that will stand up on the intake & valve covers ? Do I need any special sealant on the gaskets when I re-assemble ? (pan, timing chain cover, intake, fuel pump, water pump)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Dupli-Color make's a clear engine enamal that's been holding up well on finned aluminum valve cover's I've used it on. As for gasket sealer, find Permatex Form-A-Gasket #2 for paper based gasket's work's good as any.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 6
From: Irving Texas
I always paint my blocks with high-temp paint but use regular Krylon paint for the intake. It has never bubbled up on me. I do 5 coats because on occasion, some carb cleaner might get on the intake and take a little bit of the paint off.
Also, I use Permatex Form-A-Gasket #2 NON-hardening sealer for the timing cover, pan, etc. A little goes a long way.....dont use it like tooth-paste.
Also, I use Permatex Form-A-Gasket #2 NON-hardening sealer for the timing cover, pan, etc. A little goes a long way.....dont use it like tooth-paste.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I don't have any actual experience with their clear paint, but I will say that I have had really good luck with Dupli-color brand engine paint in general. I heartily endorse it. As far as gaskets, I pretty much use the Permatex black high temp for everything but head gaskets. I use it sparingly, exept for valve cover gaskets, I spread it a little thicker for them.
Scott
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento CA
Powder coat it.
They have clear coat powder coating that will withstand anything and last a long time. Its very common to use on rims. Its not as cheap, but at least its easy to clean with a pressure washer later down the road. And you don't have to ever worry about it peeling on you.
They have clear coat powder coating that will withstand anything and last a long time. Its very common to use on rims. Its not as cheap, but at least its easy to clean with a pressure washer later down the road. And you don't have to ever worry about it peeling on you.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
I like to use Permatex Ultra Blue silicone sealant on both sides of the gaskets. Just a thin application as most will be squeezed out. Plus an extra dab in the 'corners' for the oil pan gasket. The blue stuff matches the corporate blue engine paint very well.
My intentions with gaskets is to seal things FOREVER! When I need to take something apart again, then I deal with it.
Why clearcoat on the intake and valve covers?
"Correct" is actually aluminum paint on the L82 intake and black on the valve covers.
I use Aluminum HI-TEMP header paint on the intake. Not for the high temp feature but because it is the correct color and texture. Aluminum engine enamel is way off. Too shiney and 'deep'.
I use pretty much any low gloss or satin black engine enamel on the valve covers, then take a sanding block to the fins. Some guys use gloss black.
If you can, sandblast or bead blast the oil pan and front cover too. The final painted finish will look so much better than scraping or wire brushing will give you.
My intentions with gaskets is to seal things FOREVER! When I need to take something apart again, then I deal with it.
Why clearcoat on the intake and valve covers?
"Correct" is actually aluminum paint on the L82 intake and black on the valve covers.
I use Aluminum HI-TEMP header paint on the intake. Not for the high temp feature but because it is the correct color and texture. Aluminum engine enamel is way off. Too shiney and 'deep'.
I use pretty much any low gloss or satin black engine enamel on the valve covers, then take a sanding block to the fins. Some guys use gloss black.
If you can, sandblast or bead blast the oil pan and front cover too. The final painted finish will look so much better than scraping or wire brushing will give you.
Last edited by KapsSA; Feb 4, 2011 at 02:50 PM.
