I have a set of those ultra-cool GMPP cast aluminum valve covers for the bbc http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif I had a fellow tell me this, and I now noticed it myself...they are a porous casting and oil creeps through and is visible from the outside. Also, they show stains terrible.

Is there any product/paint that I can coat the inside with to seal off the oil? Obviously the paint would need to be able to withstand engine temps & not peel off. Also, how can the oil that's in the casting be cleaned out and allow the paint to stick?

I would consider painting the outside, but don't know what color I would use and compliment my engine compartment, so I will just try and concentrate on the inside for now.

Thanks

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Todd Geisler
79 Malibu
Malibu Muscle
http://www.MalibuMuscle.cjb.net
Naive...I was.
Skeptical...I am becoming.
Determined...I have always been.
"The only way to fail is to stop trying."

Man, my typing stinks some times http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

The topic title was supposed to say "valve". lol

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Todd Geisler
79 Malibu
Malibu Muscle
http://www.MalibuMuscle.cjb.net
Naive...I was.
Skeptical...I am becoming.
Determined...I have always been.
"The only way to fail is to stop trying."

Todd, i have a freind that used some kind of high temp clear on one of my intake manifolds.i don't know what it was... but it never pealed or yellowed.i'll find out what kind of paint it was tomorrow. and let you know.and BTW, I'm very JEALOUS!!! i've been wanting a set of those valve covers for the bottlerat.i'm glad i found this out before i got them so i can clear them first. Thanks!!

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Don Edmonds
T.C.Member 1033
1969 Chevelle
2000 Harley softail deuce
www.bottlerats69.homestead.com

Todd, what about the stuff a lot of people use to paint the inside of their block. It is called glyptol or something like that. I have bought it at electric supply stores.

Todd, the clear that i was talking about is PPG,DU75.you have to mix a hardener in with it.the ratio is 16 to 1. and it looks very cool when you paint the outside of your valve covers. i just did a set of old mickey thompson valve covers for a small block i'm doing for a guy. and they look very cool.

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Don Edmonds
T.C.Member 1033
1969 Chevelle
2000 Harley softail deuce
www.bottlerats69.homestead.com

I would degrease the inside with Final Clean.
Then, use an epoxy primer after roughing up the surface. The epoxy primer is 2 part and after drying is impervious to almost everything including brake fluid. Degrease the outside and shoot it with urethane clear with a hardener.

Dave

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

Don, yes I feel very lucky to have these valve covers...they werea christmas present from my wife two years ago...ain't she great? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Dave, what is final clean? Is is a wax & grease remover product?

Should I consider having my local machine shop "cook" them to remove the oil fromm the pores before doing any painting/coating?

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Todd Geisler
79 Malibu
Malibu Muscle
http://www.MalibuMuscle.cjb.net
Naive...I was.
Skeptical...I am becoming.
Determined...I have always been.
"The only way to fail is to stop trying."

Todd, I don't know if you would have to cook them or not...but if it were me, I would. just for piece of mind if nothing else. you've been through enough with your car already.READ http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gifno surprises).and tell your wife that i said that you are a lucky man. even though my wife is very understanding of my affair with my chevelle. I have yet to weasel a pair of those bad boys out of her.

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Don Edmonds
T.C.Member 1033
1969 Chevelle
2000 Harley softail deuce
www.bottlerats69.homestead.com

I would just soak them in Castrol purple overnight then rinse well. Dry and wipe down with plenty of laquer thinner or acetone. Bead blast the insides, don't get greasy finger prints on the newly beaded surfaces and coat with Glyptol (only stuff I know of rated for the intended environment). This will keep the oil from seeping through. I wouldn't clear the outsides, just polish them

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Triple Black 69 SS 396

[This message has been edited by Jimmy P (edited 02-07-2001).]

Clean them with the Castrol super clean and water. Get them bead blasted and then clear anodize them. At least that's what I want to do to mine if I ever get them!

Powder coat them black. I don't know how it would hold up on the inside but I know they have to seal aluminum with a "special" primer.

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone!

I have a buudy who owns a body shop who offered to use some epoxy primer on the inside for me once I clean them real well, and blast in his cabinet.

I like the idea of the Glyptol, but wonder if it would hold up to carb/brake cleaners? I typically remove the covers from time-to-time and spay them down to remove any stains on the outside.

thanks again

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Todd Geisler
79 Malibu
Malibu Muscle
http://www.MalibuMuscle.cjb.net
Naive...I was.
Skeptical...I am becoming.
Determined...I have always been.
"The only way to fail is to stop trying."

Todd, take a look on page two of my web site at the engine shot. That intake has the clear on it that I mentioned earlier. gas, heat never touched it.and the best part. no stains. good luck on what ever you do.sounds like you've got a few good ideas.

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Don Edmonds
T.C.Member 1033
1969 Chevelle
2000 Harley softail deuce
www.bottlerats69.homestead.com

What do these covers look like? I just got a set of black aluminum covers. They look like the 502 ones but with no emblems on them. They use an O ring type gasket that is reusable and have the oil fill and pvc holes. Philip

Hey Philip,

just for reference, these valve covers are part # 12371244. They come to a peak in the top and have a bowtie emblem and say "Chevrolet" cast next to the bowtie. These are very similar to the valve covers used on sbc's when NASCAR used 18 degree heads.

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Todd Geisler
79 Malibu
Malibu Muscle
http://www.MalibuMuscle.cjb.net
Naive...I was.
Skeptical...I am becoming.
Determined...I have always been.
"The only way to fail is to stop trying."

Todd,
Been wanting those myself, how did you go about making an oil fill, pcv, or breather holes, was it a pain, did it compromise the looks?

Thanks Todd. I looked inside mine and they are smooth and might even be sealed. They don't appear to be porous. I also found out mine came off a stock replacement 454 crate motor.