How are you cleaning and detailing your 5.3 engine?
12-19-2009, 12:58 PM
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: N. E. Arkansas
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How are you cleaning and detailing your 5.3 engine? I need some inspiration and just curious what colors and looks you guys have done to the engines in your swap.
I seen these with the LS1 intake painted a graphite color which looked cool, or the blocks painted a wild color. Or the heads or water pumps polished
Lets see what you guys have done, I know some of you have pics with the engine on a stand before it found it's home
Thanks!
I seen these with the LS1 intake painted a graphite color which looked cool, or the blocks painted a wild color. Or the heads or water pumps polished
Lets see what you guys have done, I know some of you have pics with the engine on a stand before it found it's home
Thanks!
12-19-2009, 01:15 PM
#2
Used a wire brush and carb cleaner, then a final cleaning with wax/grease remover. Got some high temp engine primer, then hit it with "cast iron coat" from duplicolor, engine enamel.
The following users liked this post:
vince72 (01-02-2024)
12-20-2009, 01:02 AM
#6
Ummm, I think it was called Aluminum? There are 2 different types of aluminum I think. Mine was the least "shiny", maybe "natural aluminum"? I can't recall offhand, sorry! Hit up O'Rilleys or Autozone. Should have it in there!
12-20-2009, 01:51 PM
#7
Ramdaspadxxx,
do you recall the brand of paint? I want my engine to look like your front cover. Great job.
do you recall the brand of paint? I want my engine to look like your front cover. Great job.
Trending Topics
12-20-2009, 02:44 PM
#8
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having a bunch of my stuff powder coated for my 6.0. Oil pan, front cover, rear cover, and valley pan will be silver. The valve covers are gunna be black. Should make for easy cleanup, look good, and stay looking good for a long time.
12-20-2009, 03:18 PM
#9
That looks great. I would love to do it to mine but I have no talent in the paint department. Me, the floor, everything I don't want painted would be orange. And the engine would have runs and globs everywhere!
12-20-2009, 04:52 PM
#10
Monte,
I'd prefer powdercoating, but I don't have the money. Maybe in a few years. I first want to do the LSx conversion, maybe headers next year, and a MAST LY6 VVT cam kit the year after. Or at least I hope.
I'd prefer powdercoating, but I don't have the money. Maybe in a few years. I first want to do the LSx conversion, maybe headers next year, and a MAST LY6 VVT cam kit the year after. Or at least I hope.
12-20-2009, 04:58 PM
#11
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just stuck mine in for now.
I figure next I'll pull it back out when I change the cam shaft and paint it with something. I'll also be freshening up the tranny at the same time.
I am, however, planning on getting the cast aluminum "CHEVROLET" valve covers, then relocating the coils. Oh, I guess my corvette accessory brackets are also already powder coated red (but that doesn't match my truck at all, so it will have to change.
I figure next I'll pull it back out when I change the cam shaft and paint it with something. I'll also be freshening up the tranny at the same time.
I am, however, planning on getting the cast aluminum "CHEVROLET" valve covers, then relocating the coils. Oh, I guess my corvette accessory brackets are also already powder coated red (but that doesn't match my truck at all, so it will have to change.
12-20-2009, 06:12 PM
#12
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hear ya, economies not too great I know. It cost me $150 to get it done and Id say without doing the oil pan, it would be a good bit cheaper. Not sure what prices normally are though as this is my first powder coating ordeal. Goodluck with the paint though. As someones already mentioned, I'm not very talented in that area lol.
12-20-2009, 07:55 PM
#13
12-21-2009, 01:29 AM
#15
Teching In
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a new engine, which I have not fitted yet.
I had not thought about this before (as it still looks shiny and new).
Are there any downsides to painting blocks I need to think about.
I had not thought about this before (as it still looks shiny and new).
Are there any downsides to painting blocks I need to think about.
12-22-2009, 07:22 AM
#19
Staging Lane
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
^^yes do tell! I'd love to show a little more valve cover and a little less coil bracket.
great thread, be sure you guys mention what your using for paint. my experience up to now has been hit or miss. seems peices either come out beautful and stay that way or chip, bake or flake off in a matter of weeks.
here is my build thus far....I can't decide on any sort of color or scheme so up to now it's been either bare or duplicolor cast aluminum....sort of boring, hoping to dress up the valve covers and maybe the manifold
great thread, be sure you guys mention what your using for paint. my experience up to now has been hit or miss. seems peices either come out beautful and stay that way or chip, bake or flake off in a matter of weeks.
here is my build thus far....I can't decide on any sort of color or scheme so up to now it's been either bare or duplicolor cast aluminum....sort of boring, hoping to dress up the valve covers and maybe the manifold
12-22-2009, 08:13 AM
#20
Launching!
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Cocoa, FL
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I scrubbed everything with Formula 88 and a small scrub brush. That **** is amazing, cleans better than brake clean on oil stains and grease. Plus it is $5/ga and biodegradable. Rinse with water and you are good to go. If you want to clean the inside of your valve covers, rocker arms, push rods, etc. Just drop them into a bucket of 88, 2 minutes later come back and wipe them off. Simple as that. It is squeeky clean after rinsing and does NOT dry it out. Comes out clean as hell then u can paint it up. I will post up some pictures later.
