I just picked these up over the weekend at the Englishtown swap meet. I only paid $20. I want to powder coat them, but I am not sure what color. Any ideas?

 

Depends upon the color scheme of your engine bay.. I would recommend Plasti-dip as a cheap solution. You can re-spray those for less than 30 bucks in an aluminum/chrome finish . It holds up really well to heat too, and a lot simpler to change should you have a different mind about it.

 

Nice score, by the way.

 

Thanks. A new emblem costs more than what I paid for the covers.

 

Thanks for the input. I am thinking I am going to powder coat since it holds together longer than paint.

 

Just for my information...the "circle" that is formed into the top of the valve cover, where that emblem goes....is it perfectly circular, or does it have the same little "wing" shapes on the sides that the emblem itself does?

 

Definitely pass on the plastidip for the covers. Gas and oil melts the stuff. I did my headlight buckets in dip and dripped gas on one when changing the fuel filter. Melted it in seconds. One drop of trans fluid did the same a week after fixing it.

Edit: they're magnesium aren't they? You ever consider polishing them? A lot of work but they would be handsome when done.

 

I like where I think you're going with this. IROC or Pontiac center cap logo?

 

IMO, the only thing Plastidip is good for, is testing ideas.

Powder coated black with polished fins would look nice.

 

I plan on doing the buckets with satin black, it was a test. 6 months out of paint I didn't want to just have at it and possibly make some mistake.
I was thinking polished with black between the fins since it would be near impossible to polish well there.

 

^^^looks awsome!!!! I've had success polishing in similar areas like the top of tpi intake with dremel extentions

 

Yes, I was thinking something Pontiac-ish.

Wow, those look fantastic!

 

How about a colour close to Duplicolor Charcoal Gray Met. paint.

 

I've been looking for years...
Many people that have polished these say they look great... for a matter of hours or a day, then they start to oxidize and turn gray due to the high magnesium content (as opposed to the runners / plenum).

They've tried all sorts of sealers, powder coat, etc... and it still ends up turning gray...

I did talk to someone about powder coating them "chrome", he said he would need to use a special primer to prevent pin holes because sometimes magnesium pops with high heat (just before totally combusting) and he said he could do it... that "Mirror Finish Polish" looks great... I'm going to contact them to see what they've experienced.... I'll post here...

I did not inquire about chrome, but they would need to be sanded smooth first anyway.... I did read that prepped right, magnesium can be chromed too...

Rafael

 

Had these on an 85 Vette. Looked pretty shabby so I tried to remove the coating, not a good idea. Real rough surface under the paint. The paint seems to be actually a thick coating. Those do look really good as is, I'd suggest, maybe, correct valve cover paint for these. Back when I had the 85 I used Mid America Designs paint #18127. Sort of a hammertone metallic slightly dark silver look. Not sure if it's still available though.

Something like this;
http://home.everestkc.net/cbrzon/SDC12378.JPG[/img]

 

That wouldn't surprise me. You have magnesium covers, on aluminum heads, and an iron block. Electrolysis would be a concern, and a heavy coating would help save the lip on the head and the valve cover itself.

 

If you're wondering what to do with Corvette magnesium valve covers, search one of the many Corvette forums.

 

Well, I got a reply back from Mirror...
They said they do apply an "anti oxidizing" coat... and for sanding / polish / paint inside fins, and applying anti oxidize coat, as seen above is about $580...
Pricey, but they do look amazing...

I stumbled upon these this morning and bought them for $78...
They are aluminum and very polished already.
They have the basic TPI dimensions / angles but no circle for Corvette emblem...
I will polish them up and paint in the fins black...
Never seen these before, and couldn't find them anywhere else...





Even inside, don't see baffles, so I may be able to run 1.6 rockers... (the red is a paint that helps oil drain)...



Will be selling a set of Vette TPI covers soon

 

How do you put oil in the engine with those? With grommets for the PVC hoses there's no oil fill cap opening? Or am I missing something. Good looking covers at any rate.

 

Excellent point!
Remove PCV, or add another hole?

 

They look a lot like Street & Performance valve covers($$), it looks like....

http://www.hotrodlane.cc/2015%20Catalog.htm#p=36

The gyptol (sp?) inside them is normally/usually used to paint the lifter valley.

 

They are....

Link didn't work...

 

Their online catalog is a bit weird...

For those that can't view link..

 

Yeah, those look nice. If those are Street & Performance like in that catalog, you stole those too. Where the heck do you live?

 

Probably in house (or apartment)

 

I suppose.

Looks like the land of cheap valve covers to me.

 

Tampa Bay...
The guy said they are $300 valve covers, slightly used. The main reason I got them is because they look a lot like the TPI ones, but I don't have to mess with the magnesium, polishing, etc.

 

Anyone have the "Street and Performance" PDF Catalog?
Mark, the owner passed and it looks like they closed up shop...

Thanks,

Rafael