Just Flush the Coolant, Changethe hoses

[RRoller123]

Just flush the coolant over the Winter, I said.... Maybe just change a few of the radiator hoses, I said. No idea where this will stop.

[CajunMike]

Umm not really necessary to remove the cam covers to change the coolant. . Not sure where this is going to lead but at least it's man work.

[courtenay]

Project creep??

[AriK]

Didn't you ever realize that Fiat created a painted cowl surface because it was expected that owners would never have to work on their cars and place tools, bolts and hardware on it?
It's a Fiat no-no and any mechanic who commits the dirty deed on mine (without laying down a drop cloth) must die afterwards.
By the way, how far down will you go??

[RRoller123]

Hahahah! Well I spoke with the owner, and he said that he only meant to flush the coolant and replace a couple of hoses, then he got the thing up on stands and realized it was going to sit there for a few months, so he decided to retorque the head and cam boxes, check the valve lash, paint the valve covers, paint the air plenum and throttle body, remove the TPH, install a new heater pipe, and install a flushing T. Oh yes, and replace a couple of hoses and flush the coolant.

I have a performance head/Cam gears and Cams waiting for the funds so that I can get the HC lower end done, so this is as far down as it goes for now. Been waiting a long time, but again, it won't be this year I think. Money is too dear.

Little steps. Kick the shit out of wife's cancer, save the pennies, keep occupied, carry on.

[RRoller123]

Valve covers crinkle painted in Ferrari Red. They look ok from a couple of feet, but then again, nobody should be sticking their head in there and sniffing around.

One thing I noticed with the crinkle paint that I thought I would share: I followed the instructions meticulously, but if you actually DO put on multiple, very thick coats as instructed, you get WAY TOO MUCH crinkling, and it looks badly. I had to sand and chip away for a number of hours to get them to look acceptable. Next time I will put on the same number of coats, (3, laid down at angles to each other) but thinner, regardless of the instructions on the can.

Once fully cured, you can lightly sand the crinkle to somewhat level it out.

Not sure if a clear coat is advisable or not?

Pete





The Plenum box is next, that will be done in silver, or an aluminum-looking sort of tone.

[njoconnor]

Pete, your last post got me wondering: anyone out there know the original color of the cam boxes? Were they just their natural aluminum finish, or were they painted (like the cam belt cover)? Gonna have mine off to replace gaskets in a month or two; might be tempted to prep and paint 'em for grins, if nothing else.

Maybe a blue matching the exterior....show Allen what he missed by going gunmetal on his block....

Neil

[RRoller123]

I have 2 sets, and they both appear to be natural aluminum. Now they may have been factory clear coated at some point, but I really doubt it. there is no visible evidence to support that. They seem to be just plain old aluminum. Same with the valve covers.

[AriK]

Sharp engine bay Pete!
Clear coated at the factory? Highly unlikely. I doubt that surface was ever shiny even when new and it probably began degrading from day 1.
I spent way too many hours sanding and polishing my cam boxes and covers to a smooth chrome-like finish. The engine bay is a looker however I'll never do it again as i've probably ingested more than enough aluminum either by inhalation or through my skin.

[4uall]

AriK has a beautiful engine bay..................and heart

[RRoller123]

That is fantastic! First prize in my book. Who/How did the artwork on the air filter?

I think it likely that the cam boxes are a zinc-al alloy, die cast, (maybe sand cast, have to look a little more closely) although we tend to call them "aluminum".

Pete

[AriK]

Pete, this is the guide that i followed when i detailed the aluminum. If you have enough patience you can create awesome results on your plenum.
It's an oldie but the procedure lives on.

http://www.poleringsguide.se/english/

[RRoller123]

Thanks, your work is astoundingly good!

[RRoller123]

Gotten this far, so far, this Winter.

Pete

[joelittel]

Pete your plenum looks like a million bucks. What kind of paint did you use?