You want DRAMA? Then READ THIS!

[Django]

I'm showing my newly polished finned valve covers for my 289 to a buddy and he asks " Are they magnesium?" Proudly I say YES! So he proceeds to tell me that they are junk and I've got 3x the money in them than they are actually worth.

Huh?

So magnesium valve covers are bad? They warp and leak like a sieve? Fuck. Now what? I got too much in them to not keep them and they look bitchin'! I love them. Square shape, not the normal SBF valve cover shape.

How can I make them work without leaking? Silicone the shit out of them??

Help! This DRAMA is killing me!

[Roothawg]

I use the 3M weather strip adhesive on cork gaskets. Glue em to the vc and leave the other side dry. I would try em first. I use a lot of stuff other people call junk and never have a problem.

[yorgatron]

has your friend actually ever used a set of magnesium valve covers? probably an old wives tale.

[Ryan]

Uhhh... I've used mag valve covers for years and have never had a problem. Sounds to me like the guy tightens em down too much.

[Bass]

Hmmm...I believe new Corvettes come from the factory with magnesium valve covers these days.

If you use a good gasket I don't know why they wouldn't work at least as well as aluminum. (?) I think most people that swear that all alloy valve covers leak have just had a bad experience with a warped set of valve covers.

I'd definitely suggest that you try them before you give up on them...they sound really cool. Got a pic?

[Django]

I have a huge amount of respect for him, and without his help, my car would still be many months away from roadworthiness. He did say that you have to be careful torquing them down because the magnesium will crack because it is thick and more brittle than aluminum.

The 3M sounds interesting. Ryan, did you do anything special to seal yours?

[Roothawg]

No one likes the Cal Customs I use because they have a small sealing area. A lot of old timers hate em because of this. I started using the "gorilla snot" trick and it seals every time.

[Django]

Maybe he did have a bad set at one time. He was'nt very complimentary regarding the quality of mag in his experience.

I don't have a recent pic, but this is them before they were stripped and polished. Made by Keystone. Looks to me like they were never on a car...

http://www.mdesignstudio.com/chad/other/sbf1.jpg

http://www.mdesignstudio.com/chad/other/sbf2.jpg

[cleatus]

A lot of performance motorcycles use magnesium for cases and side covers. I don't think they would if they were prone to "warp and leak like a sieve".

It don't hurt to try them, they sure look good.

Are they for the 36?

[KIRK!]

Those are badass and seem to have a ton of sea; space. Try a layered construction gasket with even torquing.

[Paul]

being a Chevy guy I can only assume that what your friend was trying to say was that it's a waste of time to put them on a Ford http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

'never used a mag valve cover but, for aluminum I always use Permagasket 2 on both sides of a cork gasket for a leak free cover.

Paul

[Deuce Rails]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm showing my newly polished finned valve covers for my 289 to a buddy and he asks " Are they magnesium?" Proudly I say YES! So he proceeds to tell me that they are junk and I've got 3x the money in them than they are actually worth.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd swap out the buddy.

[Django]

Maybe he was right Paul! This 289 in the '36 and the 302 in the wagon are simultaneously the first sbf motors I've ever had. It's been a learning experience!

Does polished magnesium oxidize faster than aluminum?

[Fat Hack]

Yes, the magnesium will oxidize...or "dull" faster than aluminum.

Come to think of it, your buddy's right...they're JUNK...I'll give ya five bucks for 'em! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(Way cool covers....some of the neatest SBF ones I've seen yet!) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[cleatus]

"Does polished magnesium oxidize faster than aluminum?"

I once paid a metal finishing place to polish a set of magnesium fork legs for me. He told me they would turn black almost overnight if I did not clear coat them right away. I figured "yeah-right." Sure enough, they did turn gray pretty quick. I buffed them back out with Mothers and then sprayed them clear and they lasted through years of abuse.

[Unkl Ian]

I think the factories don't even use gaskets any more.Everything is done with high temperature silicone sealer.Just try and get those Fuckers off. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Spring for some quality aftermarket gaskets,glue them to the rocker cover.
Do not overtighten.

Or I'll give you $10 for them.You pay the shipping. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Django]

Ten whole dollars? Do I hear $10.50? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sounds like I'll be ok then, thankfully. I wonder if this is a case where Zoopseal would be worth the price, so they stay nice.

OPINION POLL: Should I scrap the plans to use my caddy air cleaner and stick with a chrome or finned air cleaner to better match the valve covers? I have also considered changing the color from green to silver to match the area inside the fins. Motor will be green (at least this week http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) Either way, I'm sanding the striping off and starting over.

http://www.mdesignstudio.com/chad/other/caddystriping.JPG

[safariknut]

I think your friend is confusing them with old magnesium wheels that used to leak air if you didn't run tubes!Just my opinion.

[choprods]

Those look real good to me- they 'll work fine....use a 1/4" ratchet to tighten them......so wont break em....snug is good ....also the new Dodge Viper runs Magnesium valve covers- I have one......[valve cover that is http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif]

[Flat Ernie]

[ QUOTE ]
I use the 3M weather strip adhesive on cork gaskets. Glue em to the vc and leave the other side dry.

[/ QUOTE ]

Roothawg nailed it - I love cork gaskets! Glue 'em on with 3M gorilla snot and stick 'em on - I like to use vaseline or even wheel bearing grease instead of dry because that way the cork slides just a bit as you tighten it down.

I do the same on the intakes - I gorilla snot the cork end pieces to the block & coat 'em with a thin layer of vaseline or grease. Bolt the intakes down & they never leak & never squeeze out.

RTV/Silicone is for pussies who can't make paper gaskets work like god intended!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Morrisman]

It's pretty hard to keep a shine on magnesium, so best send them over the pond to me http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Use a smear of quality silicone sealant on the gaskets, after wiping totally clean with solvent all surfaces involved, and you'll have a job getting the gasket off again. And they'll never leak a drop of oil.
Paul
ps. Did I mention, you'll have a hard time keeping a shine on 'em, so best......... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Bruce Lancaster]

Some Corvettes about 1987 or so had magnesium cuovers. Others had the same design in die cast. I don't know when the change was or if it was because of a problem.
I believe the ones I have seen were painted on the inside--probably porosity insurance, or perhaps to protect then from acidic vapors and impurities.

[SKR8PN]

[ QUOTE ]

RTV/Silicone is for pussies who can't make paper gaskets work like god intended!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
God was having a bad hair day when he invented PAPER gaskets.......
So he invented RTV to make up for it.......... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[mr.midnite]

how did you come to the conclusion that they are magnesium? Coming from Keystone and the photo of them plated I would suspect they are zinc diecast

[HOTRODPRIMER]

Those valve covers are nothing but junk,,,,,,,,,Send them to me where they can be properly be destroyed. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have had a set on my 65 ford truck for over 20 years and only used cork gaskets and black sealent,,,,,they do look like crap now but have never experienced any oil loss problems. HRP

[alchemy]

I think Mr. Midnite is on to something. I bet they're zinc (potmetal) too.

alchemy

[Farmer]

those are rad man! just take em to a friend or someone who has a nice big belt sander, or similiar sander and make sure the bottoms are perfectly flat and even first. You prolly already did that though...anyway, those are so cool lookin, i'd run the risk and try to run them anyway! Do it man do it! (or send them to me and i'll burn them for entertainment next time I go surf in the morning...cool beach fire) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[old beet]

BINGO..........OLDBEET

[zman]

They're cool, run 'em. I doubt you'll have a problem getting them to seal. Just put a straight edge on the bottom to check that they're not warped first.

[Django]

The place I had them polished thought they were mag. You think they're zinc? Would that be good or bad?

[mr.midnite]

I would be surprised if they were magnesium. As I stated earlier, my guess would be zinc diecast based on the color of the inside of your photo. As far as good or bad, their valve covers. If you like the design thats good, if you liked that they were magnesium thats bad. Not too sure how they will hold a polish though, I think they will oxidize rather quickly.

[badpat]

if yer thinkin of coatin them and don't want to pop for zoop- i just laid down some eastwood diamond coat tonight on my covers- turned out pretty good- it dulled em a smidge, but well woth it, unless you are a compusive polisher

[quickrod]

if they polished up to a really "bright" almost white looking shine,there more than likely magnesium,zinc or "pot metal"as it's refered looks kinda spotty when it's polished.if your brave you could always go back to the polishing shop and see if there's a pile of metal dust left from when they were preped,if you put it to fire it will make a bright flash,had that happen a few times in my buddy's polishing shop{he does'nt like to sweep the floor much and smokes}kinda kool though...quickrod

[briggs&strattonChev]

[ QUOTE ]
zinc or "pot metal"as it's refered

[/ QUOTE ]

I never knew they were the same!! thanks for the heads up.

The flatform of my bench grinder is pot metal and it cracked in half, what do I do to weld it, braize I was thinkin? Are there special rods made to arc weld pot-metal?

[LUKESTER]

a good way to tell if something is magnesium, is to try and weld on it. Magnesium will make a "green tinted flash....... Lukester

[badpat]

The flatform of my bench grinder is pot metal and it cracked in half, what do I do to weld it, braize I was thinkin? Are there special rods made to arc weld pot-metal?

[/ QUOTE ]
OK- i have no affiliation to eastwood- i just own everything they make- which includes brazing rods for potmetal

[briggs&strattonChev]

thanks badpat ill have to look for some o' those, they'd be handy to have around too

[quickrod]

just to maybe clarify a little,i was always told that "pot metal" was a term given to a metal that was'nt really a "PURE" type of metal,but more a mix of basically crap.also,i was told that's why it's so hard to weld because there's so much junk mixed together,the heat when trying to weld changes{hot and cold spots}hopefully someone with a little more welding experience can give some input,but this is what i was told sometime ago..

[Django]

I don't really care what they are made of, honestly. I just dig their design and the fact that I've never seen another set like them. My only requirement is they stay shiny and seal well.

[mr.midnite]

'nuff said then. If you have an older engine shop around you they will probably have a decking machine. It's just like a tabletop with a flat wheel that spins and raises up to the table deck. Just have them make a few light passes and they will be flat and seal perfectly

[ikillspies]

DEATHMOBILE

ROCKET

[prime mover]

if you decide to get something to match the air cleaner I'd love those valve covers.

If they are mag just let them sit out for a couple weeks and you'll know by how fast they dull.

[Django]

Trust me, you wouldn't want them. I got stupid money into them... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif They stay no matter what. It's the air cleaner that may get cut from the program. I made one silver on an engine shot I have in photoshop, and the results were less than stellar.

[alchemy]

Here's my experience in polishing aluminum, zinc, and magnesium. The aluminum has a bright color and holds polish the longest. The zinc is a little darker with spots as mentioned, and holds polish a bit shorter than aluminum. The magnesium has a tannish or brownish tint when compared to aluminum, and will dull in a week if near any kind of moisture.

alchemy

[skull63]

django, i used to wrench at a ford shop and there was a really nice gasket for small blocks they were steel core with thick silicone beads on either side (not silicone like you squeaze from a tube)they always sealed and they hold their torque , i just cant remember what years they came on.ford parts guy should be able to find em.


skull