By Chuck Hanson "Finish"-ing Touches Under The Hood
With the engine back together, we can now turn our attention to making sure all the components and sub-assemblies have the correct finish. Actually, this step of the restoration process is a lot more difficult than many people think; there are several different types of finishes appearing under the hood and getting them right can often make the difference between cleaning up in your class or merely having a car entered in the competition.
Many of ACES members don't have access to expensive paint equipment... and that's okay. We've gotten by for years with paints that spray right out of a can. For Chevrolet orange, we rely on the Dupli Color engine paint, although VHT hi-temp engine enamels are an excellent product, too. And since many of the underhood painted components are 40-60% gloss black, we've had excellent results with Krylon #1613 Semi-flat black. Of course, if you want a little more gloss and a more durable finish, consider Rustoleum Satin black #7777 as an alternative. Both of these spray can paints will yield an excellent finish if applied according to the instructions. Remember, like anything else, preparation is the key to success (and a little Primer doesn't hurt, either!).
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1a&b. You can work wonders with a little imagination and a can (actually, several) of spray paint. Dupli-Color has about the best Chevrolet orange we've found, with VHT's product also very acceptable. Krylon clear acrylic will protect most bare metal finishes, while a coat of primer will really help your finish stick. | |
Preserving the natural "as cast" finish of some components can be a real difficult proposition, too. Check out the tips from Flying "A" Restoration on page 14 of this issue. The light grease coating really does work, although if you drive your Chevelle more than off and on the show trailer, dust and dirt accumulation may become a problem. If that's the case, you can try EMT Technologies' manifold treatment for the freshly cast look, or coat the bare components with a semi-gloss acrylic. Be advised, however, the acrylic doesn't handle heat very well.
Finally, gray phosphated items look great, but will corrode, too, if left to fend for themselves against the elements. Here, we've had decent luck with either Seymour's Cast Blast or Krylon Flat black paint. Either way, apply the finish at least 12 inches from the component for a fairly "dry" application. This will also add a bit of texture, furthering the phosphated "look," but with the protection of paint.
 2. Chrome valve covers adorn all '70 Super Sport Chevelles. Smog tubes are black oxide, while the exhaust manifolds are natural cast iron (we like EMT's manifold treatment) and the dipstick and tube assembly are natural steel. A clear acrylic will help keep the dipstick and tube from corroding. |
 3. Lots to look at here. The intake is left natural aluminum, and the thermostat housing has been painted dull silver to match. Gold cad dichromate is the finish of the carb; the fuel lines are natural steel with the fuel block being natural brass. |
 4. The open element air cleaner has a chrome lid with a 60% gloss black base. The power brake hose line is silver cad dichromate, while the air cleaner wing nut is also chrome. Unlike our filter element, the original AC item should have a "square" wire mesh, rather than the "diamond" shape shown here. 5. Most aluminum components are left natural, like the alternator and smog pump cases. The alternator pulley, however, is silver cad dichromate compared to the 60% gloss black on the smog pump pulley. Mounting and adjusting brackets are generally 60% gloss black. |
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6. Head bolts and the temp sending unit are Chevrolet orange, too, since they were installed before the engine was painted. Valve cover bolts and retainers are silver cad dichromate.
7. The throttle cable bracket is gray phosphate, the coil bracket is silver cad dichromate, and the throttle spring is gold cad dichromate. Intake manifold bolts have a shouldered head, and are painted dull silver or aluminum when used with an aluminum manifold. They are Chevrolet orange when used with a cast iron intake. |
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COMPONENT FINISH Block & heads Chevrolet orange Oil pan Chevrolet orange Dipstick & tube natural steel Timing cover Chevrolet orange Harmonic balancer Chevrolet orange Valve covers chrome VC bolts and retainers silver cad dichromate VC to breather elbow gray phosphate Oil filler cap chrome Air cleaner base 60% gloss black Air cleaner lid, open element chrome air cleaner lid, cowl induction 60% gloss black A/C wing nut, open element Chrome A/C wing nut, cowl induction Dk gray phosphate Carburetor gold cad dichromate Intake manifold, aluminum natural Intake manifold, cast iron Chevrolet orange Intake manifold bolts dull silver/aluminum Exhaust manifolds natural cast iron Exhaust manifold bolts black oxide Choke stove cover silver cad dichromate Thermostat housing, alum intake dull silver/aluminum Thermostat housing, CI intake Chevrolet orange Water pump Chevrolet orange Fuel pump natural Fuel lines natural steel Fuel line block natural brass Fuel line to carb brkt gray phosphate Carb return spring gold cad dichromate Distributor natural Distributor hold down Chevrolet orange/natural Alternator natural Alternator pulley/fan silver cad dichromate Water pump pulley 60% gloss black Crankshaft pulley 60% gloss black or gray phosphate Alternator mtg bracket 60% gloss black Alternator adj bracket 60% gloss black Fan blade assy 60% gloss black Fan clutch assy natural/silver or gold cad dichromate A.I.R mtg bracket 60% gloss black A.I.R. pump natural A.I.R. pump pulley 60% gloss black or gray phosphate A.I.R. anti-backfire valves gold cad dichromate A.I.R. muffler cover gray phosphate/flat black A.I.R. smog tubes black or dk gray oxide Coil 60% gloss black Coil bracket silver cad dichromate Throttle cable bracket dk gray phosphate Power brake line/bracket silver cad dichromate Bellhousing Chevrolet orange Clutch linkage natural/60% gloss black Transmission natural Transmission crossmember 60% gloss black Starter motor 30-60% gloss black Starter motor brace 30-60% gloss black Engine lift hooks, CI intake Chevrolet orange Engine lift hooks, alum intake Dull silver/aluminum Hose clamps silver cad dichromateCool info!
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