Powder coating LT-5 valve covers?

[Cenobyte]

Hi there!

As you can see on the pictures, my LT-5 does not look that clean anymore. The problem is that the dirt on the valve covers is not removable: it is the paint of the covers that went bad over the years.



I would really like to clean up my engine, but I would need to start by repainting all the aluminum parts on top of the engine, especially the valve covers.

Since I can't seem to find anybody in The Netherlands with enough knowledge to want to do this, I was wondering if there is somebody else in Germany that has enough experience with ZR-1's to do this? I think powder coating the valve covers would be the best way to go, but since new valve covers only come with compete valve heads (and much $$$) only, it's a risky job.

[Thomas ZR-1]

I thing its quite difficult to explaine everthing in english so what about your german? where do you live in the netherland? I`m living in Aachen it`s close to the border to Netherland.

Well the LT-5 has nothing to do with any other corvette engine. I`m owning my ZR-1 for about 5 years and I rebuild my LT-5 last year completly. Not because of a damage...only to improve the power. The past years I improved everyting on my ZR-1, brakes, suspention, shocks, exhaust, engine etc...watch my gallery, I`m sure I can help you, because I`ve done everything be me own. Interested? whrite a PN

[Corvette.ZR1]

Versuch mal den Dreck mit Aceton abzubekommen.

Um den Ventildeckel abzubauen, muß die Klimaanlage entleert werden.
Dann brauchst Du, 4 neue O-Ringe 10067538 und 24 Cover Bolt Seals 10135851 pro Deckel
Da der Ventildeckel gleichzeitig auch die Lagerung der Nockenwellen übernimmt
und ohne Dichtung ist, sollte er sehr vorsichtig behandelt werden.

Ich würde das nur von SAM machen lassen.
In Deutschland kenne ich niemand, der Fit mit der ZR-1 ist.

Gruss
Raimund

[Thomas ZR-1]

So kann man sich täuschen...will mich zwar nicht mit Sam vergleichen-steht außer Frage- aber ich baue schon seit vielen Jahren Motoren (bringt der Job als Meister so mit sich in einer Firma für Motorenentwicklung) und auch der LT-5 ist nur nen Motor wo die Kolben rauf und runter gehen und die Ventile auf und zu. Jeder Motor hat natürlich seine Kniffe und Eigenarten, aber meinen LT-5 habe ich auch komplett zerlegt, entsprechend be- und umgearbeitet und zusammen gebaut...und läuft wunderbar...die Einzeldrossel folgt im nächsten Winter.

Also nochmal: wenn Dir die Schweiz zu weit ist, obwohl der Sam mit Sicherheit super gute Arbeit macht, kann ich Dir auch helfen...Aachen ist für Dich mit Sicherheit deutlich näher.

Gruß, Thomas

[Cenobyte]

Thanks guys!

While I can't write my messages in German (my German is too bad, I would mangle up your language beyond repair ), it's oke to answer in German, I can read it fine.

I also thought about Sam (a German guy at Fame 2008 in Valkenburg also recommended him), but driving the Z to Switserland and staying there while he fixes the car may be too difficult for me (since I imagine it will be a job that lasts a couple of days). Driving there two times (to drop the car off and pick it up again) would be hard too. I did such a trip once and went to Jeoff Geal in England for a whole week. Was a very nice trip, but a bit hard on the homefront (wife & work).

I haven't got the skills myself to remove the valve covers. I'm too afraid to mess something up beyond repair.

Thomas: is it possible I saw your ZR-1 in Fame, Valkenburg (The Netherlands) a couple of times? Maybe we can hook up there this coming Fame? Otherwise I will mail or PM you for some questions.

BTW, to show you how big of a ZR-1 fan I am, this is my right arm:

[Thomas ZR-1]

Hi Mario

Yes I think you have seen my ZR-1 for a couple of times in Valkenburg. Only last year I couldn`t be there because of an accident. But I`m sure I`ll be there this year.

Where do you live in the Netherlands? If it`s not so far away you can visit me in Aachen before july. The following pics are from last year from the rebuild of my engine

[Thomas ZR-1]

and the finish...

[Thomas ZR-1]

...and this is how it looks in the car

[JR]

Nächsten Sonntag ist das Technische Meeting in Uden!

Wäre doch eine gute Gelegenheit zum Kennenlernen.

Gruß

JR

[Cenobyte]

WOW, that engine looks stunning, Thomas!!

I'm gonna be at the technical meeting in Uden (Mark van Diepenbeek) too, so maybe we could hook up there?