Big Blue's Transformation

[85lebaront2]

Gary, I have been putting my head gaskets on dry for years, ever since Fel-Pro released their "Permatorque" ones. The exception was the MG Midget 998 cc engine, it was real hard to keep a good seal at 11:1 compression on an engine designed in England for 8:1 compression. 9 head bolts in essentially an isosceles triangle (5 down the outside straddling the plug areas and 4 down the inside through the rocker stands). Cylinders are paired 1-2 and 3-4 with a wider space between 2-3 due to being a 3 main bearing block.

He had what were supposed to be high strength studs and nuts, no, they were the stock late 1950s British fine thread nuts and studs ARP studs and nuts helped immensely.

[The Mad Porter]

Thank you for the shout out Gary.

Staying current on emails, social media messages, texts etc is a 7 day a week enterprise.

We try to be available with in reason.

Yes those head bolts are questionable. Especially true for a fresh build.




SJ
used 2b RHP

[Gary Lewis]

Thanks, Scott.  Given what I have in this truck (you can see the first post of this thread for more detail), new head bolts aren't that big of a deal.  

Next question though, do you happen to have the EFI valve cover bolts, the 3" long flange-headed ones w/the nylon washer?  If so, let's add them to the "order".

And, while I'm on a roll, what about stainless bolts for the water pump?  I can get them from Totally Stainless, but if you have them.....

[Gary Lewis]

To close the loop, I got an email from Scott that said "We bead blast and reuse the OEM VC bolts with copper washers when needed. They seal better than SS bolts."  So I'm going to blast the bolts and powder coat them, and if in the two sets of bolts I have I don't have enough of the nylon washers I'll probably use copper ones.

Also, Scott said "I buy bulk hardware in SS for assembly."  And then later "The 93+ HD water pumps use 5" bolts in several places. I will have to look Monday.  I have the list written down and posted in the assembly area."  And I'm pretty sure he sent me the 93+ HD water pump.  So I'll get the stainless water pump bolts from him, along with the head bolts and the locating dowels.

So today I plan to gather the many fasteners, and maybe some other parts, and start media blasting them.  Oh yes, and I'll also blast the 2nd valve cover as I'd already done the first.  Then I'll have to figure out what color to PC the valve covers, thermostat housing, and all the fasteners.  Suggestions?

[ArdWrknTrk]

Bright Red!?!?















Chevy Orange?  😜




Dark Ford Blue, of course!
After all, what is the name of the truck?

[85lebaront2]

You did mine in an aluminum powder, same as the intake and plenum.

[Gary Lewis]

Jim - Obviously there's not gonna be any red.  A for the dark Ford blue, the block and heads will be that color, so do you also think the valve covers should be?

Bill - Yes, and that Silver Lining was what I was thinking about for Big Blue's covers, but wanted to see what others thought.  Do you have yours on?  If so, remind me how they look with the upper and lower plenum in that color?

[ArdWrknTrk]

Stock covers are silver.

I think it would be very attractive.  👍

[85lebaront2]

I haven't put any of that on yet, I wanted to finish the engine harness on the extra lower intake then do all of it at once.

[salans7]

Gary Lewis wrote

Then I'll have to figure out what color to PC the valve covers, thermostat housing, and all the fasteners.  Suggestions?

John Deere Green?

[Gary Lewis]

I could, but NO! (I got that powder when I bought the oven and haven't found a use for it, but unless I'm going with a cherry red pair of plenums I think I'll pass on that idea, thank you very much.)

[ArdWrknTrk]

Gary,

Are you able to blend powders?

Say you wanted a metallic black, or a candy clear coat?

***and didn't want to buy a whole container of it?***

[Gary Lewis]

As for reality (), Scott called today and we got the details worked out on my order and he got it on the way:

Head bolts: They aren't ARP's, but they are what he uses and are much less expensive

Water pump bolts: A stainless set

Head dowels

And then I media-blasted a part or two.  These are the ones that will be PC'd black.  I'm not sure I'll need all of those, but they were in the bag of parts that supposedly came off Huck.  However, I think I may have merged the ones from Huck and the F450 Jim parted out so probably have too many.  But, too many is better than too few when assembling things.  

[Gary Lewis]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

Gary,

Are you able to blend powders?

Say you wanted a metallic black, or a candy clear coat?

I have done some blending, but not very successfully.  However, Eastwood has come out with a plethora of powders over the last few years, including 3D Shimmering Metallic Flake Cataclysmic Black, and Black Diamond Metallic, and Black Stardust, and Black Chrome.  I've not used any of these so can't say what they look like, and the website's pics don't really do much for telling.

What did you have in mind?

[salans7]

I come from an IH family, so I'm glad you chose the correct answer.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I'm just a material science geek,. 🤓

I know a little about pottery glazes, and think of powder coat as much the same process but at lower temperatures.

Some glazes look nothing like when they are fired, and some glazes you can layer but not mix.

So, I was just wondering

[Gary Lewis]

Shaun - Maybe you could put a 6.9 or 7.3 IDI in your truck and paint it IH yellow?

Jim - Some of the powders come out looking very different from how the raw powder looks.  I'm sure some can mix and get something that works, but it didn't work for me.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Some strange magic occures when things pass their TG.

[Gary Lewis]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

Some strange magic occures when things pass their TG.

Ok, I'll bite - what's "TG"?

As for what I did today, I got the valve covers blasted so they are ready for PC'ing:




And, speaking of PC'ing, I did a bit.  Here is a before and after:

[ArdWrknTrk]

Transition to Glass temperature.

I.e. when they become molten and fuse together.