Anyone ever thought about powdercoating an engine block/heads?

[ARAMP1]

Yeah, I'm thinking about it for the engine I'm building for my truck (while I have everything apart anyway). I want it to look nice and last a long time. Paint would definitely be cheaper though. What do you think? Oh yeah, it's aluminum too. Isn't there's a little bit different coating process than steel/iron?

 

[howdiy]

Just make sure you get the high temp stuff

I belive it melts at 500*. I don't think the block gets that hot

Although the painting/powder coating does hold some heat in the block. I don't like to paint mine. Just a little extra measure to prevent overheating

 

[4X4HIGH]

NEVER paint anything made of aluminum. Things that are made of aluminum are made to disapate heat and if you paint it that can no longer happen.

 

[ARAMP1]

NEVER paint anything made of aluminum. Things that are made of aluminum are made to disapate heat and if you paint it that can no longer happen.

I've never heard this. The engine came painted from the factory. I was thinking instead of re-painting it, I might powdercoat it. It's an engine block which was also made in cast iron (which was painted from the factory also). I believe they made them in aluminum not to disipate more heat, but to save weight (among other things).

 

[4X4HIGH]

What engine are we talking about? I've NEVER seen any aluminum block, heads, intake manifolds or anything else painted. At least not from the factory.

 

[ARAMP1]

It's a Detroit 4-71.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Well, i can't help with any info on diesel stuff. My knowledge is in gasoline engines.

 

[ARAMP1]

Well, i can't help with any info on diesel stuff. My knowledge is in gasoline engines.

Sorry, I probably should have made that clear. However, this does make me wonder though.

 

[howdiy]

Why do you want to paint it anyways? Aluminum looks good. Just try to bead blast it

 

[ARAMP1]

Why do you want to paint it anyways? Aluminum looks good. Just try to bead blast it

I want to paint it the factory color. (about the same color as the guitar in my avitar)

 

[79k20350]

If it came painted from the factory i see no reason why you couldnt re paint it...

 

[howdiy]

Oh, but it will look nasty soon enough and it will be oil/dirt colored

Unless it's for show and shines


^^^
Edit: To the the OP was it painted from the factory?

 

[ARAMP1]

If it came painted from the factory i see no reason why you couldnt re paint it...

Right, but I was wondering about powdercoating vs. re-painting it.

 

[79k20350]

Right, but I was wondering about powdercoating vs. re-painting it.

Give a local powdercoater a call. I dont see why it cant be done. Im not sure of the temp restrictions of powder coating but I dont think that the motor will get hot enough to hurt anything.

 

[4X4HIGH]

There is no difference in painting versus powder coating other than powder coating is a much stronger finish and pretty much will never come off. The process is tha same for steel or aluminum. It is baked in an oven at around approximately 400*.

 

[roadnotca]

You can get a reasonably close look using Rust-O-leum gloss. I did on my LEGO motor in the Avatar. Painted with a brush, generously loaded but not enough to drip. Two coats, >24 hours in between coats.
The heads, water pump and intake are aly.
Just got back from a very hot and challenging trail run. I know my temp gage is accurate. The worst I saw was 220. Thats with the sensor in the head, and a 180* stat.

 

[smalltruckbigcid]

All the old detroits were painted from the factory, we are talking about a 4-71 here. You might burn the paint on top of the exhaust ports some. The block and the head should be iron. The blower is aluminum. I don't know if the heat from powdercoating would effect bore through the housing or not.

*edit* I just found an aluminum block on ebay. I didn't know they existed. So on that note I can add this. be prepared to redo all the machining on the block and heads after the powdercoating because the oven process could effect things like thread inserts and valve seats. Heat straightening an aluminum head usually causes the seats to fall out. Think seats and injector cups too.
George

 

[ARAMP1]

All the old detroits were painted from the factory, we are talking about a 4-71 here. You might burn the paint on top of the exhaust ports some. The block and the head should be iron. The blower is aluminum. I don't know if the heat from powdercoating would effect bore through the housing or not.

*edit* I just found an aluminum block on ebay. I didn't know they existed. So on that note I can add this. be prepared to redo all the machining on the block and heads after the powdercoating because the oven process could effect things like thread inserts and valve seats. Heat straightening an aluminum head usually causes the seats to fall out. Think seats and injector cups too.
George

The head is iron. All thread inserts are steel.

 

[smalltruckbigcid]

Yes but a time sert is screwed into the aluminum block.

 

[southernspeed]

If you get it done, insist that the painters let you take it away for cleaning after blasting but before painting. Personally, after learning the hard way, I will never have any engine components shot blasted again.