Aceshigh

I'm looking to clean my entire motor to a semi-show / new look.

I read that the aluminum intakes are very porous and absorb everything.
Mine is weathered looking and has some dirt and oil spots on it that make it look like crap.
So what are my best options to clean my intake up to look as new as possible??
I'll take it off and send it somewhere if I need to.....

I've read
1. Glass bead blasting (not sand)
2. Some kind of clear coat or powdercoating after.....
3. Or this Eastwood Diamond Clear Gloss sealer

Also, what are the best intake gaskets to get ?


NewEngineChrome2.jpg

Nilsson

I painted mine the engine color. Looks great, blends in and no cleaning required like the bare aluminum.

Aceshigh

I LOVE the contrasting look.
I don't know whose engine this is, but it's MINT looking. I made it my wallpaper.



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Rickman48

When I worked at a speed machine shop, we used some kind of acid that foamed and smelled terrible - brush it on and hose it off - done - looked new!!
Sorry, old brain can't remember what it was from 35 yrs ago, though!!
I'd try a spray carb cleaner, once it's off.

Nilsson

Then clean it with carb cleaner as mentioned and paint it with high temp aluminum color paint if you want contrast. The intake you show in the wallpaper picture looks painted to me.

Olds64

I use Simple Green and an old tooth brush to keep my aluminum intake clean. It works well, plus you don't have to worry about caustic cleaners damaging electrical connections.

joe_padavano

Glass beading is the only way to get the intake looking "new", though it still won't look exactly as-cast. Once cleaned, unless you have blocked the exhaust crossover, any clear coating will ultimately yellow from the exhaust heat. The only coating I've seen that doesn't discolor is ceramic coatings like HPC or Jet Hot. Of course, these are more shiny than bare aluminum.

My442

HPC for coating.

Mine looks brand new 5 years later.

dsolomon

I have glass beaded them in the past and left them bare but they do oxidize and stain. I powder coated the one in my Chevelle with argent silver left over from my ralley rims. That worked well too. I would think a clear powder might also be a good option.

jack69cutlass

I have the same concerns, although my brand new aluminum Edelbrock is already mounted. I'd like to keep it looking good and agree that the contrast; silver and gold, looks the best. I liek the idea of Simple Green and regualr care to keep it looking good--good tip.

I also agree that the "mint" manifold pic looks painted, and actually oversprayed. Love the gold tip valve cover bolt tips!

Redog

I'm going to be going for the stock look so I'm going to be painting the engine (Edelbrock 3711 manifold too) stock to the year of the car.

You could go powdercoat it the same color. Powdercoating stands up very well. I have my manifolds, brake rotor hubs, license plate frame, intake piping and valve cover all powdercoated. Still looks new (except where the battery burnt thru the coating on my intake piping )