View Poll Results: If you had an aluminum engine block and heads, what would you do
Polish block and heads
2
66.67%
Powder coat block and heads
1
33.33%
Both (explain)
0
0%
Voters: 3. You may not vote on this poll
Polish or Powdercoat?
#1
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Location: Elkton MD USA
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Car: 1983, 1986
Engine: 2.8 2bbl, 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 200C 3 speed, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.42
Polish or Powdercoat?
Hey guys. I am beginning to spruce up the engine bay on my one cars and had a question. Which lasts longer (holds its luster)when exposed to engine heat? Does powdercoating require being redone? What are the drawbacks to each?
#2
Well it really depends on what piece you are looking at.
Steel brackets...powdercoat. Alum housings (alt, etc) polish. Lines...swap in stainless steel lines and polish. Bolts etc...black oxide coating.
Steel brackets...powdercoat. Alum housings (alt, etc) polish. Lines...swap in stainless steel lines and polish. Bolts etc...black oxide coating.
#3
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Car: 1983, 1986
Engine: 2.8 2bbl, 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 200C 3 speed, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.42
So it depends on the material in question?
Cast iron and steel = powdercoat
Aluminum = polish
Is this correct?
Cast iron and steel = powdercoat
Aluminum = polish
Is this correct?
#5
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Car: 85 Camaro SC
Engine: V6
Transmission: 700r4
I say polish. Are you wanting to polish a steel block or a alluminum one? I've polished 16 oil pans while I was in the polishing shop at S & P. Polishing steel is a real pita.Especially since you will need to get into corners. Another good I deal to do if you have a steel block is slick it "remove all rough casting" and then paint it with high temp paint many custom rodders have this done to their blocks at S & P. I have polished a alluminum block before it isnt bad as long as you have a die grinder with 120,320 sanding drums and tapered drums, and a hand held polisher with polishing wheels.
Last edited by 85SportCoupeto89RS; 01-31-2003 at 01:43 PM.
#6
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Car: 1983, 1986
Engine: 2.8 2bbl, 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 200C 3 speed, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.42
Originally posted by 85SportCoupeto89RS
I say polish. Are you wanting to polish a steel block or a alluminum one? I've polished 16 oil pans while I was in the polishing shop at S & P. Polishing steel is a real pita.Especially since you will need to get into corners. Another good I deal to do if you have a steel block is slick it "remove all rough casting" and then paint it with high temp paint. That is a fav of custom rodders at S & P. I have polished a alluminum block before it isnt bad as long as you have a die grinder with 120,320 sanding drums and tapered drums, and a hand held polished with polishing wheels.
I say polish. Are you wanting to polish a steel block or a alluminum one? I've polished 16 oil pans while I was in the polishing shop at S & P. Polishing steel is a real pita.Especially since you will need to get into corners. Another good I deal to do if you have a steel block is slick it "remove all rough casting" and then paint it with high temp paint. That is a fav of custom rodders at S & P. I have polished a alluminum block before it isnt bad as long as you have a die grinder with 120,320 sanding drums and tapered drums, and a hand held polished with polishing wheels.
#7
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Car: 85 Camaro SC
Engine: V6
Transmission: 700r4
polishing a block while its still in the car. I hope your a contorsionist, it will be really hard to do that while its in the engine compartment. The heads are easy to polish, just make sure not to let any alluminum dust get into the engine. Depending on how you take care of the alluminum after you polish will determine how long the shine lasts. Like me I live down a 4 mile dirt road and I can keep my polished parts looking good. But while I had my car in the shop for 3 month working on the body and int fixing all the damage, I didnt keep up the matianence on my plenum,alt,and throttle body and they oxidized but I just need to buff them back out to restore their great shine. I would clean all your polished parts regulary. I put some aluminum polish on them every weekend when I cleaned my car.
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#8
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Car: 1983, 1986
Engine: 2.8 2bbl, 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 200C 3 speed, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.42
Originally posted by 85SportCoupeto89RS
polishing a block while its still in the car. I hope your a contorsionist, it will be really hard to do that while its in the engine compartment. The heads are easy to polish, just make sure not to let any alluminum dust get into the engine. Depending on how you take care of the alluminum after you polish will determine how long the shine lasts. Like me I live down a 4 mile dirt road and I can keep my polished parts looking good. But while I had my car in the shop for 3 month working on the body and int fixing all the damage, I didnt keep up the matianence on my plenum,alt,and throttle body and they oxidized but I just need to buff them back out to restore their great shine. I would clean all your polished parts regulary. I put some aluminum polish on them every weekend when I cleaned my car.
polishing a block while its still in the car. I hope your a contorsionist, it will be really hard to do that while its in the engine compartment. The heads are easy to polish, just make sure not to let any alluminum dust get into the engine. Depending on how you take care of the alluminum after you polish will determine how long the shine lasts. Like me I live down a 4 mile dirt road and I can keep my polished parts looking good. But while I had my car in the shop for 3 month working on the body and int fixing all the damage, I didnt keep up the matianence on my plenum,alt,and throttle body and they oxidized but I just need to buff them back out to restore their great shine. I would clean all your polished parts regulary. I put some aluminum polish on them every weekend when I cleaned my car.
How did you keep it shiney after you did it?
#9
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Car: 85 Camaro SC
Engine: V6
Transmission: 700r4
to me. I keep my stuff clean and shiney by cleaning my polished parts once a week and putting eagle one aluminum polish with a cotton towel on the parts.
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