Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here has had there aluminum heads powder coated or otherwise coated?

I am interested in doing this to a pair of '69 GM '074' aluminum heads. The three main reasons I am looking into this is:

#1. Older aluminum has very bad porosity, I figure that a nice clear coating on the outside of the heads and under the valve cover area would help.

#2. Oil drain back, the smoother the surface, the better the oil draining out of the heads.

#3. Lastly, I think it would good great of the outside and making it all that easier to clean.


Does anyone has any thoughts on doing this?

Thanks guys!!

http://www.chevelles.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=020539#000005

VHT clear spray paint on the outside.

I used that clear vht stuff... turned yellow after about 4000miles. Ended up repainting everything black.

the only question i would raise about powder coating aluminum heads is if it would affect the aluminum's ability to dissipate heat. Just a thought.

Originally posted by troposcuba:
the only question i would raise about powder coating aluminum heads is if it would affect the aluminum's ability to dissipate heat. Just a thought. No disrespect intended, but I couldn't care less about dissipating heat. There isn't a coating in the world that would make aluminum heads retain as much heat as their cast iron counterparts do.

Besides, it would be great if they contained heat in the CC.

I had my Performer RPM manifold clear powder coated and NEVER again. Not only did it yellow after awhile but I had problems with it peeling around bolts. Another thing with powder coating is that it can be fairly thick and when you tighten up a fastener on it it tends to "squish" over time and the fastner loosens.

my .02 cents

what about anodizing?

What about Metalic-Ceramic coating like headers? Airborn Coatings in E. Hartford, CT does intakes so I'm sure with a bit of prep work a cylinder head would be okay.

Dave

Cable, the bud who \had the 88 semi-polished them. I paid a man to finish the job for $75. A coat of wax once-in-a while, and a cleaning with Mothers Alum polish keep them fine.

Otherwise I'd paint them orange. tongue.gif

Anodizing doesn't work well at all on castings. Extrusions,forgings,or billet:yes.

I bought an intake from Mr 4spd with the Jet hot coating. Looks ok to me. Might look better with some polishing. Looks about like the headers do color wise. I'd polish out the porosity first if you go that route. And make double sure they can keep it out of where it shouldn't be. May need to spot face the head bolt holes afterward. But I'm a little paranoid. The new stuff from Ebrock looks like chrome. I doubt they have a patend on it. Might be a proprietary mix though.

Originally posted by 427L88:
Cable, the bud who \had the 88 semi-polished them. I paid a man to finish the job for $75. A coat of wax once-in-a while, and a cleaning with Mothers Alum polish keep them fine.

Otherwise I'd paint them orange. tongue.gif Naw, I doubt I'll paint them ANY color. I love the look of an engine with aluminum heads, especially a Big Block Chevy.

I'm in the same situation with my aluminum heads. I want to coat them with somthing that would maintain the aluminum color with little maintenance and won't discolor.
Was thinking of using the POR-15 engine enamel (aluminum color) and lightly coat the heads using a touch up gun. The plan would be to also do my aluminum intake and water pump the same way. What do you guys think?

Anodizing will work. My Victor Jr.s is anodized. However, it should be "Hard Anodized" and this isn't available in clear like soft anodizing. My manifold has a sort of bronze color. Blue and red are also avalible but they are very dark. If you want the original color, this won't do it.

Originally posted by Pat Kelley:
Anodizing will work. My Victor Jr.s is anodized. However, it should be "Hard Anodized" and this isn't available in clear like soft anodizing. My manifold has a sort of bronze color. Blue and red are also avalible but they are very dark. If you want the original color, this won't do it. How much does that run?

How do they not coat certain areas?

Thanks Pat.

On my manifold everything was anodized. I don't know if there is a way to keep the anodizing off certain areas. You'd have to ask. The charge was their minimum charge of $65. You can see a picture here (http://members.uia.net/pkelley2/Engine2.jpg). I guess it doesn't look bronze any more. Seems to have lightened up some. One nice thing, the water jackets are fully protected from corrosion.

Originally posted by Pat Kelley:
On my manifold everything was anodized. I don't know if there is a way to keep the anodizing off certain areas. You'd have to ask. The charge was their minimum charge of $65. You can see a picture here (http://members.uia.net/pkelley2/Engine2.jpg). I guess it doesn't look bronze any more. Seems to have lightened up some. One nice thing, the water jackets are fully protected from corrosion. Looks innocent enough for me, now to find a local shop that does it......