if you dont, you will only look at the engine in a few monhts time and wish you had...
For the £30 odd quid it will cost to do it properly I would
I am just coming to the end of my engine pre-assembly. Making sure tolerances are okay etc. Now its getting to the stage where I am going to strip
the block back down to the short engine (crank and pistons only). Its a chemically cleaned Rover V8 and it looks shiny at the moment. I am keen for
a shiny engine bay and am considering painting the block. It is Aluminium. Worth it?
[Edited on 6/5/10 by Irony]
yep.
unless you want your engine bay to be rust coloured.
Its ally - polish it to a mirror finish!!
I would... go for a dark colour like black so it wont show the dirt..
if you dont, you will only look at the engine in a few monhts time and wish you had...
For the £30 odd quid it will cost to do it properly I would
quote:
Originally posted by bartonp
Its ally - polish it to a mirror finish!!
Lashed a couple of coats of hammerite on mine and it looks much better.
Will keep the engine looking fresh and clean much longer. Worth it now while its out imo.
Steve
Hammerite on alloy looks terrible after a while, it all starts flaking off 
ignore my stupid comment
I have some Jotun Hard Top Flexi. Although it likes to be cured in a hot place. Say 40 - 50 degrees I have found by trial and error. Once its on and
cured it doesn't come off. Seemingly ever. Get some on your hands and let it go off and its on you for a month.
I would just build a wooden box to go over the engine and cut a hole for the missus's hairdryer to poke through. Job done. I have a choice of
Red or Black? Opinions?
[Edited on 6/5/10 by Irony]
Not sure about Hard top flexi.... It tends to shrink and pull away from the substrate...
I did some experiments with it in the past and its not ideal...
Go to Frosts website.. they have some paint specifically designed for engine blocks...
I've never been a fan of engine paint... tried loads and at some point it always flakes off and leaves the block looking really tatty!
Much better (IMHO) to leave it as it is and give the engine a clean once a month.
I'd paint it nice shiny black
quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
Not sure about Hard top flexi.... It tends to shrink and pull away from the substrate...
I did some experiments with it in the past and its not ideal...
Go to Frosts website.. they have some paint specifically designed for engine blocks...
i got some paint from a military vehicle restoration siete, it claims to be military grade engine paint? went on a treat, hasnt come off at all and ive used all sorts of cleaners on it to clean oil/dirt/shite of it now and still nice, all for an £8 tin of paint thats still half full (or empty if you like!)
I have been told by an engine builder to use Plasticote.
Looks hard wearing and I presume flexible enough to withstand a few knocks and scrapes as you install stuff. I've bought both a silver and black
spray can ready to do my engine block and head.
Hope that helps.
Rich
quote:
it claims to be military grade engine paint?
I have heard of people getting good results with plasicote.
There aren't many paints that will stay on ally very well, its is notoriously difficult to get good adhesion. You need to use a purpose etch primer, and ensure its scrupulously clean and 3-400 grit abraded 1st.
on bike engines we use PJ1 gloss black engine paint, does exactly what it says on the tin great finish, fuel resistant, and on bikes they are
exposed and it seems to hold up very well to stone chips and salt etc.
I have also done bike engines in 2 pack, mettalics and metal flake etc etc, the only places that it was a bit iffy was after a period of use it
discoloured slightly around the exhaust manifolds
nothing meant by military grade, thats why i put the ?, but it has worked well! plus tank grey seems to go well on a pinto engine.
I have a knackered block sitting at home. I shall do some tests on it.