I want to know if this is possible or has it ever been done before? Completly polishing an engine and head and intake. Inside and out, lifter valley, underside of motor, etc etc. This would not only look stunning but would promote amazing oil drain back.

What are any benefits or downfalls of this as well?

 

It wouldn't look so hot when it started to rust.

 

Theres clear engine enamel out there... and I can't see the lifter valley having corrosion issues

 

Ok then, it wouldn't look so hot when the clear started to yellow, peel and flake, and then it started to rust.

If you wanted a shiny block, you'd be better off ceramic coating it or plating it or something.

 

There would be no clear coat. Just polished metal.

I'm talking hypothetical mostly, and also wondering if there is a car out there with this done. Pics maybe?

 

Here's a link from another site, where this guy polished his entire 400 block. Check it out

Block Prep 101 - CamaroZ28.Com Message Board

Ok I think that worked this time.

 

...wow

 

That guy CLEARLY had too much time on his hands.

Seems that you could ceramic-coat the block after that, with the shiny silver coating I suppose, to preserve the polish.... that would be kind of cool actually, a shiny silver block. It would also last a whole lot longer, and be more durable, than powder-coat or paint.

 

Yea, that seems like way too much effort. However, it would be curious to see what that effects along the lines of coolant temp or oil temp. Seeing as now you've reduced your surface area, but I don't know what a reflective surface like that would do. You would have to build two indentical engines to get a good comparison.

 

I knew I had some more pictures of block prep. IF these pics show up, its a DEI cup block. I'd figure these guys know what polishing is useful and what is just for looks.

 

Sweet, they showed up! I rule!! Alright, here are the rest..

 

That block is shot peened.

 

that would be like bead blasting, but with bigger beads? giving the visual appearance of being sanded sorta thing?

neato.

I like the bronze lifter bore liners. Epoxied screens in place.. Very cool.


Camaro RUS, here's a few more helpful block prep tips you may or may not be thinking about:

groove lifter bores (tool from comp to do this).
groove on the distributor to help oiling for the back of the cam
smooth any sharp edges on anything and everything. Give it a little radius if you can, or a chamfer. If it's a moving part, be careful about upsetting the balance. But the main bearing caps are fair game. MAKE SURE YOU COVER ALL BEARING SURFACES WHEN YOU GRIND. Cover it with masking/duct tape, you do not wanting grinding sand in there. Wash it out good too.

 

Vaguely like bead blasting, but with metallic beads and much greater force. It's a stress-relieving treatment more than a cosmetic or cleaning process.

 

I have heard of it as a stress reliving technique, but it would give the same sort of visual appeal though eh?

 

It flattens out the cast surface a bit so it has a slightly more specular finish. Occasionally it's done for appearance reasons, usually on sculpture or architectural elements.

Also, if you're going to be grinding and polishing for stress-relief, make sure you're doing it in the right direction.

 

Whats the thing running at the bottom of the bores? Thats a stock block with the cylender walls trimed right?

 

Looks like part of an oil scavenging system.

 

no, that's not a factory block. it's a DEI Cup block.

 

Can't be all that bad, seeing the finish on CNC'd billet blocks.

I'm the guy who owns the polished 400.

 

Here's a few more pics:

 

Man, that thing is crazy. How long did it take you to do that? What combo/power are you going to build?

It does look sweet though.

 

Approximately 200 hours...over a 2 year timespan.

I'm still debating that. Option 1 would be to use the 3.25 stroke billet Winberg crank I've got and build a quick revving 355 out of it, Option 2 would be to build a 427. What's holding me up from doing the 427 is the longevity factor.

What gave me the idea for the 355 was this article:
Small Block Chevy Should Have Built

Guys on Camaroz28.com are making pretty decent power with 355's under 7,000rpm, (450-475), so that'll probably be the way I end up going unless I hear a very convincing argument for option 2.


Appreciate the compliment.

 

damn... that looks nice

 

Actually, a member on here already built the engine you are referring to in the article. I cant remember his name at the moment, but he had excellent results.

EDIT: His name here is Wesilva. Might wanna PM him on his results.

 

Thanks for the heads up. Will do.

 

B4CTom also has a 352, though he's either going centrifugal supercharger or twin turbo, can't remember which.

 

there are plenty of people who polish their ALUMINIUM engine block, but thats really the first iron block ive seen polished.. lol.

 

I'm glad I brought this up. I've always wnated to see if anyone (especially the weekend mechanic) has polished a cast iron block themselves.

Very well done!

 

TTT for thesoundandthef....still around? Ever built the thing?

 

We were corresponding for a while. I'll e-mail him and see what's up.

 

"However, it would be curious to see what that effects along the lines of coolant temp or oil temp. Seeing as now you've reduced your surface area, but I don't know what a reflective surface like that would do."

That would be my first thoughts also. What effect does it have on the heating and cooling?

 

There'd be no discernable difference in temperature.