I Polished Gladys's Valve Cover Today - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

KarTek · #16 12-05-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Looks good. I would like to hear from those who have successfully clear-coated a valve cover after polishing. My recollection of Japanese motorcycle engines in the 1970s is that the clear-coat would start to flake off after awhile and the resulting patchwork looked terrible. Perhaps coating compounds are better? A local shop recommends powder coating but the process is fairly expensive.

Jeremy

A motorcycle engine gets much hotter than that valve cover. If it was me doing it, I'd use DuPont Chroma Clear automotive clear coat. If not that, I'd clear powder coat it.

Powder coat kits are less than $100, especially from Harbor Freight. When I'm done with my engine, I'll be powder coating the intake manifold, valve cover and other induction parts.

DeliveryValve · #17 12-05-2008, 08:08 PM

Looks good Chad! When you get the bypass pipe and have the Turbo off, you should also polish it or at least paint the rusty parts

.

I have an extra used metal cap if you want it.. But you might to change the gasket though...

Jeremy5848 · #18 12-05-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

A motorcycle engine gets much hotter than that valve cover. . .

Sorry, based on my experience with motorcycles and Mercedes diesels, I do not agree. The clear-coated parts (crankcase, etc.) of a motorcycle engine do not get significantly hotter that a Mercedes diesel valve cover. Alas, no longer owning a motorcycle, I cannot pull out my trusty infrared thermometer and provide numbers.

OTOH, the motorcycle engine is certainly more at risk for physical damage (scrapes, etc.) that will remove clearcoat as effectively as any other process, just not very neatly.

Finally, I would note that my 617 and 603 valve covers, polished six months or so ago, have retained most of their luster with no additional treatment at all. For a show car, some kind of coating would be nice but otherwise I do not think it necessary.

Jeremy

MBeige · #19 12-05-2008, 09:10 PM

I think it's nice to polish it up especially if it has become pitted and grainy. On my car, however, the valve cover is smooth and shiny already, no need to polish it like that so I'm keeping it that way.

Reason being, is if I polish the valve cover, it won't match the rest of the ancillary bits - fuel filter mounting bracket, power steering pump housing, oil filter housing cover, turbocharger shell, etc. Maybe I'm just being picky

daw_two · #20 12-05-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79Mercy

chad, i'll grab you a metal oil cap and send you for free next time I go to the junkyard.

Chad, I'll send you a free one, too.....if you need TWO of them. The black plastic ones are 300SDL era as I recall.

The fuel caps are not the same.....if I recall correctly from reading on this forum.

So you need a w124 console? Why didn't you say so?

::matthew · #21 12-05-2008, 09:29 PM

The black plastic oil cap is what my 85 California came with. It doesn't leak, so I'll likely just leave it alone.
I plan to do some polishing too next time I have the cover off. I assumed I'd start with some bar keepers friend to deal with the oxidation and use a metal polish for the final step.

I agree with MBeige that the other bits and pieces ought to roughly match the sheen of the valve cover, so it will probably end up being a big project.

Maybe one day, I'll just drive the damn thing and go whole weeks without spending money on it.

kerry · #22 12-05-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pizzachef

sweet :d

and i don't care what people say about the california setup, i like that you can see the turbo

x2

::matthew · #23 12-05-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

x2

While Forced is on "vacation" we california folks can talk about how swell the california setup is.

I like my setup too, especially the air filter. but I'd just assume have the trap/ox out of the way for easier access to that side of the block. It's not worth it to me to do anything major though, at least until something needs to be replaced.

Chad300tdt · #24 12-05-2008, 09:58 PM

Thanks guys.

I guess I have just begun my polishing journey. I plan to eventually get to everything like Jeremy and maybe even beyond.

daw, I'd love a metal cap for both w123's and a w124 console would be awesome too. I think the w124 stuff would be the most popular. I need to come up with a console box design for each chassis too.

I must admit, the California setup is growing on me. With a trap bypass tube, I think it will be just right. I posted before that the trap can was hollowed out by the PO and seems to cause a delay off the line. As I've been doing different maintenance tasks, the car is getting quicker and better all around. I'd say it's at least equal to my Fed wagon now.

bgkast · #25 12-05-2008, 10:58 PM

You should mount a pyrometer in the bypass tube while you are at it.

That bypass tube would make it easier to fit a new turbo too.

Jeremy5848 · #26 12-08-2008, 12:43 AM

While I had the intake manifold of my 603 off to replace failed glow plug #4, I tried cleaning the dirt, stains, corrosion, oxidation or whatever it was off of the manifold. The results exceeded my expectations and means that I won't have to have the manifold bead blasted.

My primary cleaning tools were a bucket of hot soapy (dish detergent) water and an assortment of (hand-operated) wire brushes. I scrubbed the manifold for about half an hour and was able to remove most of the corrosion or whatever it was. I followed up this cleaning with a second one using steel wool and Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish. The results can be seen in the following "before" and "after" pictures.

Jeremy

compu_85 · #27 12-08-2008, 01:25 AM

Wow that looks great! I'm going to have to do that to mine once I get all the other issues sorted out...

-Jason

Chad300tdt · #28 12-08-2008, 08:03 AM

That looks GREAT Jeremy. You made it look new.

Dee8go · #29 12-08-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

Looks good! Hey, if you go after it with a polishing pad on a buffer, it'll look like chrome. Did you spray it with clear so it keeps it's shine?

Yeah, I was going to say that looks pretty good, but you can make it gleam like chrome, as Evan said, with a buffing wheel or even just by hand with a soft rag. Mine just seems to run better, the cleaner and shinier it is.

Chad300tdt · #30 12-08-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

Yeah, I was going to say that looks pretty good, but you can make it gleam like chrome, as Evan said, with a buffing wheel or even just by hand with a soft rag. Mine just seems to run better, the cleaner and shinier it is.

I agree.

Next time I do a valve adjustment, I'll buff it. Eventually, it will be so shiny, you won't be able to look at it without sunglasses.