What's the general consensus in terms of finish for a gearbox? It's a cast ali casing, Ford 'BC' FWD box. I've got to strip the box down to fit the slippy diff, so whilst I'm in there I might as well do the bearings, and whilst I have all the parts out to do that I might as well get the thing looking the part.

I've cleaned it up, and obviously it shines nicely in bare ali, but it'll look crap again after a few weeks on the road.

Is it best to powder coat? Paint? Or some other suggestion?

I did think of anodising, but that's a bit over the top I think. I don't want 'bling', just clean and tidy so I'm proud to open the bonnet rather than having a rusty lump of iron in there.

Chris

Satin black

Anodise in Black rather than red/yellow/blue?

Personally, I'd powercoat or similar.

Q: How does clutch fluid react with powdercoat if you get a leak?

I've gone with Satin Black for the Bellhousing and Silver for the Main case. Looks fine, but ask me again after a few weeks on the road! (If I ever get it on the road that is )

gearbox paint job

Hammerite

quote:

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Originally posted by procomp
Satin black

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I would favour powder coat in silver to keep the 'fresh from the factory' look. If you go for a matt (or maybe satin) finish it will attract the dirt like a magnet. Black cars ALWAYS look dirty and a gearbox is a bugger to clean so you want something quite 'slippery' to dirt. Smoothrite is a good alternative.

ive just painted my bmw engine and gearbox, did the gearbox 5 wheel silver aerosol and the engine matt black
also painted my hyabusa turbo engine main casings 5 wheel silver with the bolt on housings and casing in gloss black powdercoat and its transformed it no end, will post some pics this evening

I'm leaning towards powder coat in silver I think. The block is silver hammerite, and I've had the head and inlet manifold done in black powder coat, so should look good.

Thanks guys.

Chris