Input on Engine Enamel - 3FE Rebuild - Satin, Gloss, or Flat Black

[4Cruisers]

Just talked to the machine shop doing a rebuild of my 3FE and was given the options for paint. I am leaning towards black for everything but the valve cover (satin finish - pewter/silver/etc.). I was thinking of going with satin black for the block and gloss black for the oil pan, side cover, and timing gear cover. How does that sound?

The good news - the engine appears to have little internal wear. They will have to do a little machining on the crankshaft, it's a tiny bit under the low end of the tolerance band. Other than that it's a very solid core.

 

[NCFJ]

Gloss is easier to keep clean, you won't see much of it anyway.

 

[Output Shaft]

Any black is fine (except flat). Gloss is slightly more impervious than satin. Either one will eventually get kind of dullish once a bit of dirt and grime coats it. Toyota 's black is satin. I painted my head with gloss. I really like how it looks. (Pic below was before I painted the head).

As for the valve cover... Why not just get it polished? It will come out looking like new and will look great for years..slowly dulling over time. Then you can polish it again!

I think painting the valve cover is kinda a loser... Cuz you're painting aluminum, and that never lasts for too long... and then it starts chipping off.

This is how it used to look.

 

[Skniper]

Damn, I like that polish look. Totally boss!!

 

[4Cruisers]

Thanks guys. Good points re: gloss. I guess I forgot that the valve cover is aluminum - the finish on mine is so dull (and dirty) that I really couldn't tell. I'll ask the shop if they can polish the valve cover or send it out.

 

[SteveH]

I would do satin for the block. On a 3FE, the stock valve cover (mine, at least) is a painted steel composite, so polishing won't work (or won't look a nice as alloy).

I did polish the alloy 2F valve cover on my FJ45, and looked great. I did not powder coat (clear) it, as the polisher guy pointed out that the engine heat and fumes will cause the clear powder coat to turn yellow over time. In a humid climate, it may require a coating, however.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

I like base coat/clear coat. Good for around 400F and easy to color match your rigs exterior.

J

 

[4Cruisers]

And your shop cabinets in the garage!

 

[Spike Strip]

Flat black radiates more heat.

 

[Cruiser Jimmy]

I went flat black on most of the engine.

 

[gregnash]

I like base coat/clear coat. Good for around 400F and easy to color match your rigs exterior.

J


View attachment 1195443

Now you are just showing off J!!

 

[jfnall]

I went Chevy orange and not sure I would very do that again. My thinking was (besides lovin' orange) that i could see potential future oil leaks better against a bright paint. It seems to be not wearing very well, and the orange highlights my terrible painting skills. Next time it will be a medium to dark gray.

 

[klinetime574]

I like the Duplicolor Engine Enamel Cast Coat Iron

See more of the photos HERE

 

[Jesper]

I'm a fan of any clean, freshly painted engine.

And loving the polished valve cover...How'd you do that Output - some compound and a drill/buffing wheel or what? I'm finding my painted valve cover chipping everytime I move the air cleaner or whatever, might have to do that but want to make sure it comes out good.

 

[Output Shaft]

Someone did it for me. At a polishing "shop". He had a big polishing wheel mounted on a bench and he held the cover in his gloved hands as he pressed it in the wheel. With compound of course. His "shop" looked like a place you'd see in Tijuana. Chickens scratching around in the yard. Crap everywhere. He did a great job though. Whenever I take the head off for a valve job (this was the second time), I splurge and get the valve cover polished just so I have something pretty to look at... to remind me of the rebuilt head.

I tried polishing it a bit by hand. No dice. It requires a power buffing wheel.

It won't stay shiny like that forever. The aluminum will oxidize over time to dull gray again. But if you keep on top of it with just hand polish, maybe once a year. It'll look good for much longer.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

I did not powder coat (clear) it, as the polisher guy pointed out that the engine heat and fumes will cause the clear powder coat to turn yellow over time. In a humid climate, it may require a coating, however.

We put clear powder on lots of aluminum parts--including valve cover (on a turbocharged 3B). No yellowing at all, and it's been there for a few years and a few thousand miles.

10/10 would do again. Actually, we did so it again on Dad's 2F. But that truck isn't driving again yet.

Dan

 

[SteveH]

Good info - thanks.

 

[mattn]

Wait, what am I missing here? If the valve cover on a 3FE is aluminum, then why is mine rusting?

 

[4Cruisers]

Wait, what am I missing here? If the valve cover on a 3FE is aluminum, then why is mine rusting?

Actually, it's painted steel.

 

[mattn]

That's what I thought. I just noticed Output's above was a 2F. Trying to address the ugliness soon and Ive never owned a vehicle with a steel valve cover lol