Restoring an intake
 

What is the best way to restore an aluminum intake so it retains the original finish and texture?

Re: Restoring an intake
 

This is probably one of the better ones.
http://www.z28camaro.com/restosvcs.html#AIM
I haven't seen one done but I've heard good things about it.
Does anyone know the "reskinning" process that's used by Jerry Macneish?
I do know that glass beading aluminum IMO doesn't look right https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Restoring an intake
 

I have been wondering the same thing, I have a Z intake that is all grimy, there must be something we can blast them with that will clean them up but not alter the finish....??????.

Bud.

Re: Restoring an intake
 

If corrosion isn't a problem could you use a steam cleaner?
I don't mean a pressure washer either but an actual steam cleaner. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif
There must be some type of cleaner around you could drop the intake into. There was a thick liquid carb cleaner that came in metal buckets you could drop a carb into but I can't remember the name.
Seemed to do a good job cleaning aluminum carbs.
If you had some new stuff it could clean a manifold?

Re: Restoring an intake
 

Untouched intakes are great. If you need to clean one real good, I use my friends safety clean tub and a good strong brush for cleaning. If you need it re-skinned call Camaro High Performance, (Jerry MacNeish)Does very good work. sam

Re: Restoring an intake
 

* Soak / Scrub * cycle of the dishwasher. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Pressure wash first. Put in the dishwasher using the toughest setting. Make sure the Jet-Dry is full for no spotting ..... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif Once done, run it again empty.

All of this is of course, to be done, when the wife is out of the house for a few hours. It really does work good, I do it all the time with my aluminum W-31 Olds intake. Soon, the intake off of the Biscayne is gonna get "the treatment" ...... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Disclaimer: I am by NO means responsible for any domestic disputes which result directly or indirectly from the use of the household dishwasher to clean parts.

Re: Restoring an intake
 

Note to self.. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif Don't accept Dinner invite from Casey Marks.
"My Fork has an odd taste?,what's this film on my plate?"

Re: Restoring an intake
 

Casey,
Very inovative!! But extremely dangerous.
Not sure if I'll try that just yet https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Restoring an intake
 

[ QUOTE ]
Casey,
Very inovative!! But extremely dangerous.

[/ QUOTE ]Especially if the Mrs. finds out!

Re: Restoring an intake
 

Thanks jg95z28
That's what I meant https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Restoring an intake
 

...I had my 70 LT-1 manifold STEEL shot blasted(just like when they were mfg at the foundry) at a place that rebuilds Aluminum mostly japanese cylinder heads......not positive but a "Wheelabrator" brand or similar type of machine that they used to run heads thru on a conveyor belt like idea was used....They steel shot is only used on aluminum parts and wasnt contaminated with ferous metal or grease to get into or on intake or my Muncie case.....I'll attach several pics to show you examples of my intake, muncie case, AND muncie DIE-CAST PIECES which I had vibratory/tumbled in ceramic stones with a detergent/chemical cleaner

Chuck Sharin Seattle

THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT FROM JEFF BETZ WHO CURRENTLY IS AN ENGINEER WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER.....previously with G.M. Jeff supervises in the plant where engines are built.

"Guys, I'm a design engineer that has worked with many cast iron and aluminum parts, and sand cast parts DO NOT have any type of skin on them from the foundry. Chuck is exactly correct when he states a "Wheelabrator" brand cleaning process (or similar version) is used to clean the sand off of a cast aluminum part when it goes thru "shakeout" which is the process of removing the core sand and green sand from the casting process. The type of media used may vary among foundrys, but they are all cleaned using an abrasive. To duplicate the "as cast" aluminum intakes may be a trick, because we need to correctly match that intake as it came out of the shakeout line of the foundry. It's anybody's guess today as to what media was used, and I'm sure that varied from month to month and foundry to foundry.
DIE CAST aluminum parts are a different story. A die cast aluminum part gets it strength from the outer skin that forms against a permanent cooled mold, very different from the sand used in a sand casting that is recycled/trashed after each part. Transmission tail shafts and distributor housings are typical die cast parts. Today, some parts are a mix of a permanent external mold with internal sand cast cores."

Re: Restoring an intake
 

Muncie Case............(see attached)

Re: Restoring an intake
 

DIE CAST Side Cover

Re: Restoring an intake
 

Side Cover Again..........

Re: Restoring an intake
 

Muncie Tailshaft....DIECAST

Re: Restoring an intake
 

Picture of shifter mounting bracket after MANGANESE Phosphating myself.............

Re: Restoring an intake
 

I sent my Judge's Ram Air IV Winters aluminum intake to Jerry MacNeish of Camaro Hi Performance. After seeing many pictures of his work and speaking with him I felt very confident that the work would get done properly. It may be a similar process as described above. His prices are reasonable and the end result looks NOS. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Restoring an intake
 

[ QUOTE ]
I sent my Judge's Ram Air IV Winters aluminum intake to Jerry MacNeish of Camaro Hi Performance. After seeing many pictures of his work and speaking with him I felt very confident that the work would get done properly. It may be a similar process as described above. His prices are reasonable and the end result looks NOS.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. Jerry has done several aluminum parts for me and I have always been pleased with the results. He is knowledgeable on Camaro, Chevelle and Vette. He is a reputable guy to deal with and is good for our hobby.

Re: Restoring an intake
 

I think Chuck is on track with that type of process...I have had a manifold shot "tumbled" and that worked out real nice...

Re: Restoring an intake
 

Well I have to confess.
The wife was out & I was all alone so guess what went into the dishwasher https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif?
It came out alot better than when it went in, that's for sure, although I didn't pressure wash it first.
I'll definately try the wheelabrator type machine at a local cyl head rebuilder.
I've seen the aluminum heads rebuilt & they usually look new.
Thanks for the tip Chuck. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Restoring an intake
 

I had the intake on my Caprice put through the Vibratory process also. It came out looking NOS. I was very pleased. Now the only delema is whether or not to do the overspray when painting the engine. Jerry MacNeish restored my alternator and starter. He does great work. I've got a few carburetors for him to do in the near future.

Re: Restoring an intake
 

I was told by a respected member of the Corvette and Camaro communities that Jerry M uses a "tumbling" process with a proprietary media. All I know is my intake looks beautiful since Jerry did it and at a reasonable cost ($120.00 two years ago). If you check out his web site he also has pics of some of the aluminum repair jobs he has performed, some truly amazing.