How to refinish cam covers?

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bonsaiwino
Posts: 228
Joined: Sat Jul 13, 2013 8:10 am
Your car is a: 1979 Spider

How to refinish cam covers?

Postby bonsaiwino » Mon May 29, 2017 2:36 pm

This coming winter during non-driving season, I'm going to adjust the valves on our '79 Spider. While the cam covers are off, I thought I'd have them restored. What's the finish of choice that will hold up to high temps.? Thanks guys.

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RRoller123
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: How to refinish cam covers?

Postby RRoller123 » Mon May 29, 2017 3:07 pm

I first solvent cleaned the Valve Covers and Cam Boxes, then did just a light sanding, and painted them with rattle-can red hi-temp wrinkle paint from Eastwood. Same for the Cam Boxes. I think I used a self-etching primer as well. Been awhile. Then sanded away the paint from the ridge running lengthwise. It takes literally days for the wrinkle paint to dry properly, and you have to be careful how it is applied, but with a little practice you can get a good result. The masking is critical and takes quite some time as well to do properly.

Image
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

klweimer
Posts: 550
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:45 am
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Arvada, Colorado

Re: How to refinish cam covers?

Postby klweimer » Mon May 29, 2017 6:04 pm

RRoller123,

Nice looking engine bay. What did you do with your throttle body? Looks like a Fiat FI throttle body, and then it doesn't. No heater on the throttle body?

Kirk

Fiatcatapult
Posts: 36
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Fiat 124 Spider

Re: How to refinish cam covers?

Postby Fiatcatapult » Mon May 29, 2017 9:56 pm

Oh yeah, what's up with that?

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RRoller123
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: How to refinish cam covers?

Postby RRoller123 » Tue May 30, 2017 6:50 am

Throttle body/upper plenum painted, throttle cable not yet reinstalled in this pic. TPH removed, not needed and just a source of leaks, aggravation and damage to the hood insulation blanket.

Pete
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle


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