Im thinking about coin my engine in the Wrinkle Black VHT from harley, was going to powder coat everything but it was to expensive for me right now. I am getting the Rocker Boxes and Pushrod covers powdered. What is the best way to prep the motor? The rocker box gaskets are bad and were leaking some oil so I'm not sure what the best way to clean and prep everything. Any help people can give would be great thanks.

 

I've recently painted my engine/transmission, and here's what I did (had some oil leaks/build up that I took care of as well)

First, I bought a lot of blue shop towels (heavy duty), some heavy duty Gunk degreaser, and some powder TSP degreaser. I started with the Gunk and let it soak for a while, wiped it off, then went over the area with hot TSP water

After it dried I used a scouring pad to go over every surface I was going to paint. I again wiped it down with hot TSP water then dried it. After that I dry sanded with 80 grit, then something in the 100 range, then 320, then 400. Hot TSP water again, dried

After that the surfaces were good to go. The VHT primer stuck to it without any problem. It seems pretty durable now that it's had time to fully cure. I'll find out after I finish up my summer build (isn't that what winter is for? doh)

 

double post

 

I did a write up on this a few years back...
I have painted over 15 motors before i started doing full tear downs and powder coating them. here is how i do it...
spray with gunk foaming engine cleaner... scrub with simple green and scrub brush, hose off, by now all the major grime and oil should be gone, 3 cans of non clorinated brake cleaner, wipe down with denatured alcohol, light coats of primer, then paint... done

here are some past motors i did
motor clean waiting on paint


i have a large oven but it is not needed just speeds the dry


all done


another motor i did
cleaned and prepped


light primer


painted


done

 

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