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View Full Version : Restoring an aluminum intake manifold


WildBillyT
01-16-2009, 02:37 PM
I picked up an intake for pretty cheap and I'm looking to bring it to spotless condition if possible. No damaged threads, no cracks, none of that. Just some oil spots.

I am not sure about blasting it, because that would leave the surface porous and it might collect crap again. If I do, I guess walnut shells are the best bet?

How would you guys do it? How would you protect it from oil, gas, and grime?

BonzoHansen
01-16-2009, 02:58 PM
Glass bead

WildBillyT
01-16-2009, 02:59 PM
And then how would you protect it after that? Clearcoat? I think some of them turn yellowish...

BonzoHansen
01-16-2009, 03:03 PM
For long term you will have to coat it with something. You could paint it or powder coat it clear or aluminum color. GB does seem to knock the pores down a bit. I did my serp brackets with it and they came out nice.

I drive my car, it gets dirty. Some brake clean on a rag is all I use.

WildBillyT
01-16-2009, 03:05 PM
Yeah, realistically I won't give two ****s about it staying spotless after a while, I was just wondering if there's something decent to coat it with to repel oil better.

Thanks

BonzoHansen
01-16-2009, 03:06 PM
oil goes in the engine...not on it!

WildBillyT
01-16-2009, 03:18 PM
oil goes in the engine...not on it!

I am aware of this. But the engine is a beat '74 350. Not the best on keeping all of its fluids in the intended areas.

LTb1ow
01-16-2009, 03:26 PM
Blast it and then powder coat it.

WildBillyT
01-16-2009, 03:29 PM
Blast it and then powder coat it.

Yeah, but won't powder coating retain heat?

LTb1ow
01-16-2009, 03:37 PM
I suppose, if your really concerned about that, wash it in a parts cleaner?

LTb1ow
01-16-2009, 03:43 PM
I suppose, if your really concerned about that, wash it in a parts cleaner?

Edit: I just washed mine real well and so far it looks great. I am not sure about the heating part, most people powder coat the LT1 intake but we also don't have the crossover so I am not sure.

HardcoreZ28
01-16-2009, 04:00 PM
You can powdercoat it with no heat issues.

sweetbmxrider
01-16-2009, 04:00 PM
chrome or nickle it?

BonzoHansen
01-16-2009, 04:44 PM
Yeah, but won't powder coating retain heat?

Really? You gonna worry about losing 3 hp? Put a milodon valley pan in. :)

WildBillyT
01-16-2009, 06:50 PM
Really? You gonna worry about losing 3 hp? Put a milodon valley pan in. :)

Meh. I dunno if I want to spend the money to PC a low rise dual plane.

BonzoHansen
01-16-2009, 06:52 PM
Just GB it & be done with it.

WildBillyT
01-16-2009, 06:53 PM
Just GB it & be done with it.

That's what I am doing.

LTb1ow
01-16-2009, 07:01 PM
Spray paint it!

Mike
01-16-2009, 10:56 PM
You can powdercoat it with no heat issues.

you guys miss this post?

and billy i have access to a soda blaster if you want somthing more fine than walnuts or glass bead

bad64chevelle
01-16-2009, 11:00 PM
Bill, I blasted and cleared the intake manifold on the chevelle, done a bunch others, they always came out great.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c358/bad64chevelle/327%20Rebuild/7.jpg

HardcoreZ28
01-17-2009, 07:29 PM
Jon that looks great. Bill is right.....you just have to watch what clear you use....some yellow almost instantly. Obviously you didn't have that problem.

Bill whatever route you take I'm sure it'll look good.

JL8Jeff
01-17-2009, 09:28 PM
I cleaned one up with some 409 and a brass brush. It cleaned up really nice but I sold the car before I put a lot of miles on it so I can't say how it held up. I don't know if I would clear coat it. You may be risking the yellowing if you coat it vs oil stains if you don't. If it's a rare GM intake, Jerry MacNeish's company does a reskinning on aluminum intakes if there is any damage that needs to be repaired.

PolarBear
01-17-2009, 10:42 PM
Actually your best bet is to polish it. When you put a high shine on aluminum the natural oxide that forms afterwards helps protect it from other elements. Other option would be to have it anodized. You can get clear anodize but it is more expensive than other options

Pampered-Z
01-19-2009, 10:41 AM
You could try using a solvent such as Simplr Green to clean it. It that doesn't work then you may need to blast it.

Seal it with this. http://www.zoopseal.com/zoopseal.asp

bad64chevelle
01-19-2009, 03:58 PM
Jon that looks great. Bill is right.....you just have to watch what clear you use....some yellow almost instantly. Obviously you didn't have that problem.

Bill whatever route you take I'm sure it'll look good.

Thanks, however I have not run the motor yet, I dont know what will happen with it. Another manifold I painted, did not yellow so I think I will be fine.

69BirdX
01-19-2009, 04:20 PM
You could always try scotch brite and some wd40. Also fine grit sand paper. Thats what i use at the machine shop to make aluminuim parts clean up

brp88gta
01-21-2009, 10:00 PM
i glass beaded and cleared my whole tpi intake and cleared it. 5000 miles later still looks great. i used the satin clear coat from eastwood

WildBillyT
01-22-2009, 09:31 AM
i glass beaded and cleared my whole tpi intake and cleared it. 5000 miles later still looks great. i used the satin clear coat from eastwood

Yeah, I think that's the route I'm going to go. Do you have a pic?

brp88gta
01-23-2009, 10:44 AM
http://alexqphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/5669621_vR9aH/1/349084511_VwZkn#349092993_QkJSc

pic 57 is my engine bay. sorry i couldnt find a better pic and im at school and the car is home so i cant take a better one at the moment

rscamaro73
01-25-2009, 01:48 PM
You could try using a solvent such as Simplr Green to clean it. It that doesn't work then you may need to blast it.

Seal it with this. http://www.zoopseal.com/zoopseal.asp

+ 1

I used some "Purple Power" from Wal-Marx and let it sit....then took a small detail brush to it to hit up the 'tough spots'.....then I did a quick power wash.

From that point the surface is pretty clean. Another thing you COULD do is hit up a truck stop for some aluminum cleaner, but most of that stuff has acid in it, and it turns porous aluminum white. Permanently.

Clear coating is fine if you stick with a high-temp coating....

(or just get it jet-hot coated) :mrgreen:

HardcoreZ28
01-28-2009, 07:54 AM
i glass beaded and cleared my whole tpi intake and cleared it. 5000 miles later still looks great. i used the satin clear coat from eastwood

Brian....was that Eastwood's Nylac clear? If so I'll give it a thumbs up as well....I've used it on a number of parts and always had luck.

It's very thin and runs like crazy but you can actually dab the runs off while it's still wet and they won't show in the end.

brp88gta
01-28-2009, 08:38 AM
if i remember correctly it was estwoods satin diamond clear.

ta350
01-29-2009, 05:54 AM
I have glass bead at work :D if your in the area i could do it. (medford/marlton?Mt. Laurel)

ta350
01-29-2009, 05:55 AM
Brian....was that Eastwood's Nylac clear? If so I'll give it a thumbs up as well....I've used it on a number of parts and always had luck.

It's very thin and runs like crazy but you can actually dab the runs off while it's still wet and they won't show in the end.

now only if you could do that with clear like sikkens and PPG lol

HardcoreZ28
01-29-2009, 07:18 AM
Haha yeah. You should see the runs I got in the PPG clear on the Cuda I painted last weekend. But I'm too the point where I feel like if I'm not getting runs I'm not using enough clear. It's not that big of a deal to wetsand them out with the rest of the car before buffing. This way I know I have plenty of protection over my paint and plenty to work with when buffing.


Oh and Bill....if you haven't done anything yet....also check out POR's Glisten HP coating. We used that on a lot of the stainless for my T-Bird.

WildBillyT
01-29-2009, 07:59 AM
Haha yeah. You should see the runs I got in the PPG clear on the Cuda I painted last weekend. But I'm too the point where I feel like if I'm not getting runs I'm not using enough clear. It's not that big of a deal to wetsand them out with the rest of the car before buffing. This way I know I have plenty of protection over my paint and plenty to work with when buffing.


Oh and Bill....if you haven't done anything yet....also check out POR's Glisten HP coating. We used that on a lot of the stainless for my T-Bird.

I'll definetly look into that. I just got the manifold in the mail yesterday.

Is it heat resistive? Restomotive doesn't mention anything about that.

HardcoreZ28
01-29-2009, 09:34 AM
I'll definetly look into that. I just got the manifold in the mail yesterday.

Is it heat resistive? Restomotive doesn't mention anything about that.


Give them a call. Anytime I've ever called them they have been very friendly and helpful.

WildBillyT
01-29-2009, 09:46 AM
Give them a call. Anytime I've ever called them they have been very friendly and helpful.

Yeah, I plan on it. I need to get some POR for my chassis and yellow Hardnose for my trac bars. You aren't a supplier for them, right?

HardcoreZ28
01-29-2009, 12:52 PM
Nope....sorry. But a lot of times they have 10% promotional codes. If you're gonna order let me know and I'll try to find one.