I had my Edelbrock 573 tri power manifold powder coated with a cast aluminum looking powder. It looks really good but doesn’t resist staining from gas leaks at all. Because of tuning issues and other things I experienced a lot of fuel staining which leaves the yellow stains that are impossible to remove. I probably tried everything known to man and everything posted in different places online. None of it touched the stains. So right now the manifold sits on my work bench and I’m taking it apart for re- finishing. I’m going to weld some aluminum pieces into the exhaust crossover ports under the middle carb, previously I had them blocked off with the gasket and thin stainless steel. After that I want to have it re done. Here’s the question. What finish will be best to avoid future staining from possible leaks? Don’t forget that I’m running Strombergs A different color of powder coating? Or maybe polishing the intake? Or chrome? Or just blast it and leave it on the work bench? I love the Tri power and the Y Block looks and runs great with the Strombergs but this is frustrating.
My Edy dual quad is just raw blast with fine beads and uses 1953 WCFB's. Brake clean on a rag when I see stains. Since your going to really block the xover the powder coaters near me have a non glossy coating. There is also a dull clear from Eastwood for cast iron that would look good and a clear for engines that's good for at least 300*. After its dry hard for a week or so take alittle scotchbrite pad to it to dull it to look like raw. I use phenolic spacers under each carb that may help you too.
On my tri-power I had it Jet-Hot coated with their hi-lustre chrome finish. My center carb leaks all the time and I just wipe up the puddles. There is some light staining but not real bad and if I gave it a light polish it would look better but I don't spend a lot of time cleaning the car. I've got a carb kit and I really should fit it instead of just wiping up the fuel LOL On his blown flathead my son used a local guy who does a water bead blast with detergent/chemical in the water. The oil and fuel don't soak into the alloy and can be washed off with detergent and water. He reckons it's great as you get the sandcast look without the stains.
Sorry @Blue One I can't post pics but I would recommend Jet-Hot or HPC for your manifold as I've found it fine over 8 years and 33k miles.
on a couple of my motors i have the intakes creamic coated looks just like chrome/polished and is very tough and easy to clean...just a wipe over....i also have a tri carb manifold i am preparing to get ceramic coated for my 56 vicky.....the trick is sand to a fine finish then get coated...the finer the better then it will looks pretty much like chrome
My whole Y block motor, but the tripower intake is ceramic coated white.The original 2v intake was also ceramic coated but I removed that for the tripower.It cleans up so easy.
I own a powder coat shop, applying an Acrylic clear or a Urethane clear over the base coat would have helped with the staining from fuel. Acrylic & Urethanes are more chemical resistant than straight Polyurethanes. Most all "Silver" & "Chrome" powders require clear top coats. I have clear powdered over just sandblasted aluminum intake manifolds with great success. No reports of yellowing or staining. I have done several manifolds for friends of mine and no bad reports yet!
I think that’s great for fuel resistance, not sure about the staining from the yellow fuel dye. once that stuff dries on a hot manifold it’s there for good.
Talked to the owner at the powder coating shop that does my work and he recommends ceramic coating for my manifold. So today I made some aluminum block off plates and welded them in to the Exhaust crossover on my manifold. I also made a template of the holes so restoring the manifold in the future would just be a matter of drilling a hole and opening up the crossover with a die grinder. So off to the shop tomorrow.
Wow Larry, you really do have problems with fuel stains on your manifold plus the added problem of the heat effects from the exhaust cross-over. Interesting that you've got the 573 version of the Edelbrock manifold as I've been told that is the best one to have.
Yes, I think it’s going to be even better. I searched for the 573 for a long time while I was doing the build after researching and finding it was the best of the Y block tri power manifolds. Once I found it I quickly sold my Offenhauser tri power manifold which was the poorest one of the bunch during testing. It’s at the powder coating shop now along with the valley pan and a few other parts. I’ll also be reporting some details on the carbs as things develop relating to solving the leaks as much as possible and other fuel delivery issues.
Back from the powder coating shop. The manifold came out nice and the valley pan too. Waiting for the rest of my stuff to get here and then I can get it all put back together. I also had the hold downs and the bracket for my fuel log done. While I was at it I had the headers redone which had suffered some scratches and scrapes
Looks good. I was going to suggest just having it polished for that traditional look, but then I'm sort of a glutton for punishment. I too have been wondering about intake manifold coating because I have a factory Buick cast iron 2x4 intake that I would like to make look like cast aluminum. Good info here.
Looks great Larry and will be much easier to maintain. I gather that's their Hi-Lustre chrome finish same as Jet-Hot and HPC have. Isn't it a bit soon to be doing a re-build on your RPU-LOL
Yes it is. Thanks, there’s a reason for the redo, this just happened to be a convenient time. I think it’s going to look a lot better.
Thanks for tips and pics. I’ve got a Weiand tri power for my y block, want to keep it in a raw look but might polish it up. Got a while to go yet!