[RESOLVED] Pulled the valve cover and you'll never guess.

Leonthefaded · 12-01-2011, 12:54 AM

Not sure if this is the right section.

Hey dsmtuners!

I decided to pull my 420a valve cover off for a cleaning and some paint to make it spiffy for the car show next week.

I decided to take a ton of photos with my phone and thought maybe you guys can tell me if these interals are stock or not. Soon as I get inside I'm going todo my part. I figure this could help other 420 guys id their cams, valve springs, lifters and what not.

Also maybe point out any problems I may not see. I'm not an engine expert yet but id like to be.

If you see any bad things going on in these photos, please lemme know how I can fix it and what its called. Also identifying the markings would help a lot as well.
Photos will follow in 4 minutes

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Sorry if it is too photo intensive but I dont have time to be opening and rechecking

BogusSVO · 12-01-2011, 06:38 AM

I can not say about the cams, but look at the back end and see if there is anything engraved or stamped there.

The springs and retainers look stock.

'97boostinGST · 12-01-2011, 06:59 AM

Your head was assembled in Mex? Lol

BogusSVO · 12-01-2011, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '97boostinGST

Your head was assembled in Mex? Lol

Most all the 420a heads I have looked at are cast in Mexico.

FearlessNick · 12-01-2011, 07:12 AM

Mine is too. But I have stock cams and they say 532 on them. The springs and lifters look stock as well.

BoostedPhoenix · 12-01-2011, 10:48 AM

All Stock hardware in those pics. And Good news is it looks pretty clean inside too you have a good healthy engine

bullettdsm · 12-01-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoostedPhoenix

All Stock hardware in those pics

Here^^.

MB

1G90TalonTsi · 12-01-2011, 01:30 PM

Ya deff. looks good inside. Keep up your maintance and it should last for a while longer.

Jared

dsmtun3r98gst · 12-01-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogusSVO

Most all the 420a heads I have looked at are cast in Mexico.

no wonder those 420 engines suck

. Jk Jk

I see nothing out of the ordinary in those pics. Like other members have said... all looks stock to me as wel.

skatershawn · 12-01-2011, 02:19 PM

Besides the "1" that is written on your intake cam, it all looks stock to me!
Might have been rebuilt or worked on in the past.

silicosys4 · 12-01-2011, 02:24 PM

Definitely car show quality!!

Leonthefaded · 12-01-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silicosys4

Definitely car show quality!!

Well I strp the second layer of pay off the valve cover tonight and then I give it a bath again with seafoam. After that some sanding. Rinse. Sand. Rinse and then seafoam once more the my paint. I have two choices. Engine enamel greyish primer as the light base. the engine enamal blue and it says something abotu ceramic. I also just picked up. A light blue VHT header paint. Matte blue. I don't know which would turn out better.

My goal is to have the lettering shiney new. The vc paint itself not shiny or have an anaodized finish at all. I want it flat deep in color.

Any suggestions or thought

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Leonthefaded · 12-02-2011, 02:15 AM

I decided to fill a container with the thinner and water and scrub scrub dub. It work. Surprisingly. I've cleaned it off with simple green inside and out. I bought a dremel and some nice little things for it so I can to the fine touches of griding and polishing/cleaning and here's what I got so far guys

Right now I'm sanding it with 800 then ill use 2000. Before I throw on a thing layer of primer.

My question is why use primer when I have high heat engine enamel?
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Leonthefaded · 12-02-2011, 03:35 AM

Update all sanding is done I decided screw the paper and used a super secret method

wondering if I should leave the vc like this

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Leonthefaded · 12-02-2011, 01:39 PM

Painting is all done and I've baked it at 200 degress and raised it little by little to 400 then about 6 hours later now the oven is off. And I'm going go let it cool of nice and slow. Then dremel clean the lettering.

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glowryder · 12-02-2011, 01:41 PM

you used a DA....? thats not to secret lol

Powder coating it would have saved you time, and frustration later when the paint goes.. Looks good for now tho

Leonthefaded · 12-02-2011, 08:30 PM

Paint will look good for a garunteed 7 years of daily driver use

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Leonthefaded · 12-02-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonthefaded

Paint will look good for a garunteed 7 years of daily driver use

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For the car show on the 4 it will look new

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glowryder · 12-02-2011, 09:25 PM

Ok.. if you say so.

blindboarder_02 · 12-03-2011, 08:11 AM

I think the raw look of the valve cover without paint was neat

Vladimir · 12-03-2011, 08:44 AM

Mom, the valve cover is ready!

Looks good.

bullettdsm · 12-03-2011, 09:01 AM

I use a basic block sander on the raised lettering. Works pretty quick and comes out nice.

MB

1G90TalonTsi · 12-03-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullettdsm

I use a basic block sander on the raised lettering. Works pretty quick and comes out nice.

MB

Thats what I have used on all my VC. Works wonders quick and easy. Then a little clear coat will make it shine!

Jared

Leonthefaded · 12-03-2011, 02:39 PM

Here's the finished product everyone with the engine put back together. Added a blue top and used bed liner on my upper strut tie and rear. Then re plastidiped my hood. Re grounded my grounding kit. Also added blue lug

Car is is tomorrw and I gota work on my buddies 3g
Gota remove bumper, fmic, make seat brakets for his "racing" seats. Tuck his neon and led glow wires. And remove his attempt at stickerbomb.
A lot of ppl attempted to stickerbomb over here about only 6 cars made it

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TRBOBLU · 12-03-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonthefaded

Painting is all done and I've baked it at 200 degress and raised it little by little to 400 then about 6 hours later now the oven is off. And I'm going go let it cool of nice and slow. Then dremel clean the lettering.

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Let us know if your Christmas roast has a slight taste of paint to it

Anyway, looks good. Post up some pictures of the rest of the car.

Bud92gsx · 12-03-2011, 03:22 PM

Pulled the Vc and you will never guess what I found..STOCK EQUIPMENT..

Leonthefaded · 12-03-2011, 03:57 PM

Well its all done my freinds that you for the help and here is the end result

Thank you for your help !!!!

Cutlassjim · 12-03-2011, 04:03 PM

Lol "Henco en MEXICO!!!!!!!" Does blue split loom tubing win car shows these days?

nitrokid · 12-03-2011, 04:05 PM

Well theirs a lot of blue.

WES_393 · 12-03-2011, 04:11 PM

Personally I would have just shaved and polished the cover. It's heat proof, easy to maintain, and will last as long as the metal the VC is made of... which is just about forever.