need some ideas/ sandblasting

E

Edgecrusher

Promoted Users
Hey guys. Getting prepared to powder coat my valve covers on this toyota V6. Problem I'm dealing with is the baffling underneath the covers. When I go to sand blast them to prep for PC it's gonna be extremely hard to keep grit out of the insides. Grit that will probably never come out in my mind.

All I can think of is duct taping several layers spreading out or filling the inside of the cover with a semi hardening wax of some sort that I can melt out of it when I'm done.
AP1GczPd7qSD7F4lqYadNSKhql7LxchUCvxfnDTkdrbRw_l7Ldgw1GEfyO5GOhB_BD2mtczT7cW5PT5cxUEbCqY4X0Z2kRzKm_Oa6U1uBiY_2TX0zQ68eWGiz1huUtq0OETVCdToE4rVV-d5hGlcuawwPww3cw=w432-h926-s-no-gm
 
Can you make a flat cover blank that goes just past the gasket groove to block it, you would need to plug the 3 holes and cam indents also. It could be clamped by running 2 bolts through the spark plug holes and into the cover blank. You could seal it with the old gasket or a thick bead of silicone (< dirty word here)
 
My thoughts were similar to Renew. Only way I can see to actually keep out the material is to block the holes off and then use some MDF and cut a piece that conforms to the profile of the base. Insert your valve cover gasket in the cover, drill holes in the MDF that match the valve cover bolt holes and bolt the MDF to the base of the cover. That and blocking off the holes well by whatever means neccesary (high quality duct tape like Gorilla comes to mind) would work to keep it out. Multiple layers of duct tape would hold up to blasting. Or make some MDF inserts and adhere them similar to Renews suggestion. Or combination of MDF inserts and gorilla tape to hold them in.
 
Last edited:
I wonder how much meat is under those pressed down areas. I'd be tempted to make the baffles serviceable by grinding down the mushroomed out areas, then drilling and tapping blind holes for fasteners. Probably because I am offended by the way they made it, lol.
 
I was shown a video on a tacoma forum of a gal who did just that. When i get a chance I'm gonna see how hard it is to drill out those Rivets. Yeah they're Rivets. Im looking directly at them and it just looks like mushroomed aluminum. She tapped and used some wide head screws then tacked them to the plates so they wouldn't come loose in the engine.
 
My 2 cents worth.

Leave those baffles in place and instead of media blasting the inside of the valve cover, use a Maroon Scotchbrite pad to clean it up. Most, if not all, of what I see in the picture should come off leaving a decent scratch for the powder coat. If you have to use a rust remover, be sure to neutralize it properly and then get everything clean.
 
I am dead set against blasting of any inside engine surfaces. I think particles, like glass bead for example, can embed and pop out down the road with heat cycles. I know of Harley Davidson aluminum engine cases that were glass beaded inside and the engine later self destructed. (not mine).
 
I'm sure the OP wasn't intending to blast or powder coat the inside surface.
I was just stating my opinion in general about blasting on insides of engines.
 
Yeah, I have no reason to get the inside. I just know no matter how hard I try the dust and grit will get in there even though I'm just doing the top sides.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top