jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted January 29, 2014 Show off. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted January 29, 2014 Picked up the stripped valve covers. Quite a bit of pitting particularly on one side. Also found out that high temp powdercoating is too brittle to cover the inside of the cover and too much risk of the oil breaking it down so no way to really protect the metal from future oxidisation. Going to still go ahead with a black ripple on the top to hide as much of the pitting as possible but with a view to replacing the covers with new aluminium ones in the next 2-3 years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2312 Report post Posted January 29, 2014 Yeah black wrinkle will be the way to go! Amazing how the pitting takes hold. I shall look forward to seeing the results Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
740i_Lou 5 Report post Posted January 29, 2014 Same reason I did the textured black. I didn't bother coating the inside of mine. Will see if baking it prior does what I was told. Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted January 29, 2014 Turns out the high temp powder is too brittle to use on the inside of the cover anyway so I'm going to have to rely on baking it too! Outside will be a silicone-based powder with a ripple (rather than a wrinkle). Won't hide everything but will look a lot better... At least for a couple of years until I can afford some new aluminium covers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2312 Report post Posted January 29, 2014 What about clear cam covers?? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr2low 57 Report post Posted January 29, 2014 Lol see through ones ? Or polished then clear coated 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1870 Report post Posted January 29, 2014 What about clear cam covers?? some how I don't think they will be clear for long lol 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr2low 57 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 Not with that crusty engine lol hate to see what mine looks like Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yng_750 247 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 most engine oils have anti oxidation additives as standard so i wouldnt worry about oxidation inside the covers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted January 30, 2014 They were pretty bad on the inside when I took them off. Presumably the previous owner didn't replace the gaskets or oil often enough. All new gaskets now and cleaned covers plus regular fresh, good quality oil should see it looking much better next time I need to replace the gaskets. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Got the covers back. Pitting's still really obvious but they look way 100% than before and the powder coat finish is top notch (thanks to Powderworks in Onehunga). Could have filled the pitting but various sources recommended against this as it would not flex exactly as the alloy cover with constant heating and cooling so would eventually compromise the powder coat. Only alternative was weld filling and that would have been more dollars. All up cost me $125 to strip and powder coat so for that money I'm really happy with them. If I was being fussy I could always apply some wrinkle black paint over the powdercoat which would hide the pitting but the finish on the rest of the covers wouldn't look as good IMO. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Palazzo 427 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Jules, please take this the right way. Will you stop faffing about with pretty bits and bolt the supercharger on? 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 hahah! It hasn't arrived yet so I'm preparing for it. Gotta fit the f***ing drive-shaft safety loops which is a bit of a drama and need to save enough to tune and cert it once it's installed so it might be a little while yet! Got some brand new rotors and pads to go on next so it will slow down with the extra power. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1895 Report post Posted January 31, 2014 Just a couple of things to note for anyone else doing this, DO NOT acid dip the rocker covers!!!! They are magnesium and will dissolve:( sandblasting is the only option. DO NOT powdercoat the inside of the covers, one loose flake of powder coating is enough to block an oil gallery and seriously ruin your day. I got mine blasted and spray bombed them with high temp silver, doesn't look the best but miles better than they did. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 1, 2014 Just a couple of things to note for anyone else doing this, DO NOT acid dip the rocker covers!!!! They are magnesium and will dissolve:( sandblasting is the only option. DO NOT powdercoat the inside of the covers, one loose flake of powder coating is enough to block an oil gallery and seriously ruin your day. I got mine blasted and spray bombed them with high temp silver, doesn't look the best but miles better than they did. They're an aluminium/magnesium alloy. Acid dip is fine as long as you don't leave it in there for too long and clean it thoroughly afterwards though I media blasted mine to provide a better surface for powdercoating. Agreed re: the inside covers. Opted out of powder coating when I found out the high temp powder's brittle and dislodges easily. Engine's looking much better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2312 Report post Posted February 1, 2014 A good move, M6Xs with flaking cam covers are enough to spoil any ones day. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 4, 2014 It's Christmas!!!! This just arrived... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M5V8 337 Report post Posted February 4, 2014 I love opening performance parts 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2312 Report post Posted February 4, 2014 Very excite! I'd be happy to help if you need any assistance with the install 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 4, 2014 Very excite! I'd be happy to help if you need any assistance with the install Cool! Happy to accept all the help I can get. Planning to do it at Martin's place - he has a well setup garage. Not sure exactly when yet... Needs a whole weekend, I think, plus a flat bed truck or similar to get it to Hi Velocity once installed. Plus I need to save up for the tune and cert!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Palazzo 427 Report post Posted February 4, 2014 Cool Random thought. Do you lose your a/c? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) Nope, most of the kit goes where the stock airbox is and normally you'd have to refit the secondary air pump upside down to make room for the new airbox which sits behind the front bumper - since I've already removed the SAP it's no biggie. The metal pipes you can see in the box are the new a/c hoses to accommodate the SC. I will have to unhook the A/C whilst installing but mine could do with a re-gas anyway. Edited February 4, 2014 by jeffbebe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 1051 Report post Posted February 4, 2014 I'll see you tomorrow about 2PM. Have it ready please. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 4, 2014 I'll see you tomorrow about 2PM. Have it ready please. I would... But I don't think it will fit your 525i, I'm afraid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
