Head back from machine shop pix and couple of questions

[worzella]

HI all - 

 

What a fun but expensive week! I got my head back from the machine shop and placed my order for J&E pistons with Top End. A couple of head pictures...and after stressing about the exhaust side stud leakage issues, I realize that this '82 later model head has the problem fixed. None of the studs on the exhaust side are cut trough to the inside. They changed the casting and there is solid material built up now where the holes used to come through.

 

A couple of quick questions about media blasting the aluminum parts, in particular the intake manifold and the rocker cover. For the intake manifold, do I need to cover/block the cooling holes, or can I just flush out any media that gets in there?

 

And for the rocker cover breather pipe, is there some sort of "filter" under that aluminum plate that is riveted on? Do I need to mask that off to prevent media from getting in there, even though they won't be blasting the inside. 

 

Thanks for the tips...

 

Randy 

 

Edited April 8, 2017 by worzella

[PaulTWinterton]

I mask off the whole bottom of the valve cover and all holes.  Only the top surface needs to be cleaned with glass bead.

No, you don't want media trapped under that plate.  Some people remove the rivets and the plate. And some of those people screw the plate back on, or not.

 

Can't give opinion on (stock) intake manifold, but on my tii, I blast the crap out of the intake parts inside and out, and then use high-pressure air to remove any trapped media.  I wash the parts in water and varsol before paint or clearcoat.

 

 

Edited April 8, 2017 by PaulTWinterton

[HBChris]

I have successfully media blasted and then tumbled intake manifolds and valve covers (they will look oem after clear ceramic coating). You have to clean them thoroughly though as Paul says.  I used wire brushes and bottle brushes.  For the breather cover, I shot lots of carb cleaner in there and used small brushes and compressed air.  I even did an m30 oil pan but I had it ultrasonically cleaned afterwards as the baffles are larger and much harder to clean.