powder coating block

[assault187]

Im thinking about having my Block powdercoated, As of rite now the block is stripped except for the the B/S bearings for the BSE kit and will be sent out to a machine shop to be cleaned and decked. My question is, Should a Torque Plate be used when powder coating the block considering it heats up to 300 degrees +? Should I take any precautionary measures before hand?


Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[97 GSX 97]

Let me know how this goes. I want to see it when its done!

 

[assault187]

no problem, will do

 

[snowborder714]

I'm curious about this as well. Post up some pictures or let me know and I'll come visit!

 

[1992awdlaser]

You shouldn't need to use a torque plate when it's getting powder coated. The purpose of the torque plate is to simulate the head being torqued down. This is because the block will distort when the head is torqued down. You wouldn't want to machine the block without it and then when the head does get torqued down the block distorts. You want it machined how it is going to be together.

 

[assault187]

Correct, but I figured it would be a safe measure so the block would be in the situation of a normal heat cycle with the head torqued as if it were togather

 

[1992awdlaser]

The heat isn't going to distort the block. That's why I explained what the torque plate is used for.

 

[Gee-Es-Tee]

Do NOT powdercoat the block.

Powdercoating is a baked on skin of paint which contains heat very well. Your engine will run hotter and cool slower. Bad idea.

 

[Primo101]

That may occur, but it will last a lot longer than paint on the block.

 

[need2boostpsi]

Do NOT powdercoat the block.

Powdercoating is a baked on skin of paint which contains heat very well. Your engine will run hotter and cool slower. Bad idea.

i second this, i would say just spray it with a couple light coats of engine paint.

 

[9520g]

If anything ceramic coat it if its possible.

 

[Defiant]

No, you won't need a torque plate for the operation, and no, it won't have any significant effect on engine running temperature. The block does virtually no cooling, and on engines with oil coolers, neither does the pan nor valve cover.

Don't over-think yourself. Despite your best efforts, it's just an engine. Unless you're building to the point of needing to O-ring the deck, you'll not need a torque plate for boring operations, either.

 

[bastarddsm]

yep i agree with defiant. Honestly I doubt anyone can actually prove a torque plate it beneficial.

Anyway. OP. your spending alot of money foolishly...unless your trying to get you block some goofy color, VHT engine paint is a proven durable engine paint that is glossy as hell, and very durable.

I can show you a shortblock that was painted with it almost 10yrs ago that still look almost as good as the day it was sprayed.

 

[mentalTSiAWD]

Do NOT powdercoat the block.

Powdercoating is a baked on skin of paint which contains heat very well. Your engine will run hotter and cool slower. Bad idea.

I agree with this statement. I certainly would not entertain that as a good practice for a daily driver or track queen.

A trailer queen or show car: maybe.

 

[1992awdlaser]

I agree with this statement. I certainly would not entertain that as a good practice for a daily driver or track queen.

A trailer queen or show car: maybe.

The coolant INSIDE the block does all of the cooling. Powder coating it on the outside isn't going to change how well the coolant cools the block.

 

[VTEC_THIS]

I powder coat and I would not recommend powder coating your block. First, it's a waist of money. Second, just pick up dupli-color high temp engine spray paint from Pep Boys, it comes in flat black, gloss black, red, silver, etc. There's no real point in powder coating it, there's a lot better parts I can think of that you can powder coat.

 

[need2boostpsi]

The coolant INSIDE the block does all of the cooling. Powder coating it on the outside isn't going to change how well the coolant cools the block.

yes this is true but powder coating a block traps heat in the coolant, physics say's heat can only transfer from a hot source to a cooler source, coolant does not cool a block the block heats the coolant, transferring the heat to the coolant, simple thermodynamics. if you add more heat to the engine block my insulating the block, then thats more heat that has to be transferred to the coolant, causing the cooling system to work harder.

To the OP:

Besides a few degrees difference in heat it just doesn't make good sense to waist your money with powder coating the block which has very little visual notice when under the hood.

in the end it's your money spend it how you see fit.

 

[1992awdlaser]

Your NOT trapping extra heat by powder coating the block. End of story.

 

[15psi88]

Powdercoating a block is an awesome idea and it's not that expensive if you do it yourself. I can get a pound of powder for $25,which is more than enough to do a block. Powdercoat is extremely resistant against oil ,fuel,hot coolant, etc which is good because we all know what its like to have something running down the block at one time or another. The paint is great stuff, but I've seen first hand what a bit of gas will do to it in no time. Not that gas should ever be running down your block but stuff happens..I'd like to see it when you get it done as well.
Good luck

 

[erald01]

I agree with need2boostpsi, about powder coating keeping your engine hotter because it traps heat and it makes it harder for heat to escape. I have thermodynamics in my school right now and we do this kind of things where we learn how heat is traped or how it escapes easier, and i work for an automotive company as an engineer where we are told not to powder coat anything that has a lot of heat going through. Thats why btand new car blocks are not powder coated when they come out of the factory. BUT the powder coating will not really affect your performance unless your car is a daily driven car and you drive it a lot. If i was you i would just spray paint. that way way you can take your time and do it right.

 

[15psi88]

If your cooling system is relying on the small amount of heat dissipated through the block to keep your temps within check you are in a world of trouble.

 

[erald01]

Heat is not dissipated through the block but its transfered through your cooling system.

 

[assault187]

I powder coat and I would not recommend powder coating your block. First, it's a waist of money. Second, just pick up dupli-color high temp engine spray paint from Pep Boys, it comes in flat black, gloss black, red, silver, etc. There's no real point in powder coating it, there's a lot better parts I can think of that you can powder coat.

Really?...I was just out to paint the block somehow in some manner so it wont flake off as it has been and as I always see..... For the High temp engine paint, Is'nt it neccessary to bake this stuff on to prevent flaking and such?

 

[InfiniteGSX]

HEAT DOES NOT!!! DOES NOT! Escape through the block, By any means! End of Story! The heat of the block transfers to the coolant which goes through the radiator with fans. Thats where the heat is killed. The block and head are cooled by the Coolant. The Oil is cooled by Oil Coolers. The Air going into the Engine is cooled by the Intercooler.

But with that said I still say it is not a good idea to waste money on powdercoating the block. When everything is bolted on, you can hardly see the block. I say Flat Black or Glossy Black the Block with VHT Engine Block Paint. And if you want to do a good job, then do a good job. Hot Tank the block and for extra support sand blast the outside surface of the block, hot tank again and then paint with VHT Engine Paint.

 

[Defiant]

I'm sure he's not gotten to it since September.