454 project

[JJSZABO]

BEEEEAUUUUTIFULLLLLL

[SUX2BU99]

Hey Vile, what did you do to paint the block? Regular primer and engine paint? I want to paint my new iron heads, so I picked up the usual engine paint but that's it. I really don't want this to peel or flake. What do you suggest?

[VileZambonie]

I've never had engine paint that doesn't peel so I don't use it anymore.

#1 the engine has to be CLEAN. Then wash it with some mild soap and water to get rid of any risidual degreaser, oil, parts cleaner etc. Then I usually wipe it down with some solvent like denatured alcohol or prep solv. I use a good primer and then I use...are you ready for this? Rustoleum! I reduce it with some good thinner and spray. Usually 4 coats and I let it cure for 24 hrs and if time allows a second coat. I never have peeling issues.

[SUX2BU99]

Wow, that's very interesting. You've used this method quite a bit and seen good results? If I recall, you don't drive your 454 a whole lot, but have you used it other times on more regularly driven trucks?  Maybe I'll take the engine paint back. I have some black rustoleum already!

[Redneckchevy]

Rustoleum hmmm..im going to try that this summer.

[VileZambonie]

I've built more engines than I can count and this is the method every single one of them gets for the last 12 or so years since I stopped wasting $ on engine paint that never seems to hold up as well. Expiriment and see what it does...

[eventhorizon66]

Just curious.  What type of Rustoleum?  The high-performance enamel?  All the rustoeum I've seen says don't apply to surfaces that get hotter than 200 degrees.  My Duplicolor engine enamel is already chipping on my water pump (after getting whacked a few times with wrenches).  Also what primer do you use?

[VileZambonie]

I've had no problems even at the heads next to the headers

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=158

I realize it's not classified as a high temp paint but like I said, I've never ever had a problem with it.

My buddy always uses this stuff on his engines and likes it but there aren't as many color choices

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=104

[SUX2BU99]

Here in Canada, we don't really have Rustoleum availabe but rather a Canadian-made similar product called Tremclad which is also a rust paint. So I bought some gloss black and it was real tempting to buy the high-temp version of that which is meant for BBQ's and such. But I restrained and got the regular stuff along with the primer. I hope it works well.

Any prep tips? I figured on either just degreasing and shooting it, or maybe giving it a once over with the wire wheel to create some adhesion goove.

[VileZambonie]

Degreasing it isn't good enough. Make sure once it's cleaned down to bare metal you do a final wash of hot water and soap. Once it's dry prime and paint.

[VileZambonie]

Thanks Pugsy! I forgot to take a picture of your slick expansion tank I have in there.

Hey cool. Lets see how she looks.

Kind of a dark pic but here it is Pugsy



here's the heater box, I hid all the wires inside the truck and relocated the relay and blower resistor to the inside heater box.

[123 pugsy]

 Tucks in there nicely.
I'm drooling over that engine of yours. Looks fantastic!

[SUX2BU99]

I love wireless engine compartments. The epitome of clean! I'm always looking at my engine thinking to myself which wires I can hide but they all seem necessary to be visible. Which wires did you hide, Vile? I know my gas sender wire goes across from pass to drivers side along the bottom of the fire wall as I had to replace it since it got burnt on the pass header. That wire could be hidden I suppose, but what else? Did you have to drill thru the fire wall at a few points and put gromments in to hide the wires?

[VileZambonie]

I hid all of the AC/Heater wires and vacuum hoses. I plan on also relocating the junction block and wiring harness on the top of the firewall. If I didn't have so many other things going on I woulda done it when I had the engine out but I figured I can play with that on a rainy day.

[JJSZABO]

WOW!!  That looks GREAT