Finned Valve Cover Repair

[Ken G.]

I have a set of 57 valve covers that need minor repair, it was suggested I contact Jerry McNeish, but he does not seem to be returning any phone calls.

Any other recommended sources for this type of repair??

Thanks
Ken

[John D.]

Re: Finned Valve Cover Repair

Ken, How about a nice pic of the damage. I know someone who can repair them. Not easy to do though but not impossible. Course after the repair then they need TLC and refinished. If they are 9 fins they are worth doing as those are getting rare. Even the low script 7 fins are drying up. John D

[Don Y.]

Re: Finned Valve Cover Repair

Jerry can be hard to get a hold of at times. He does a lot of vehicle authentication work that involves travel.

I have a set of 57 valve covers that need minor repair, it was suggested I contact Jerry McNeish, but he does not seem to be returning any phone calls.

Any other recommended sources for this type of repair??

Thanks
Ken

[Tom P.]

Re: Finned Valve Cover Repair

If they're not too bad, I do my own.
Just a few weeks ago, I was GIVEN a pair of 9-fin covers which had a few nicks on some of the fins, plus a chunk missing from the corner of a fin. I cleaned them up and a dear friend of mine, who is an artist when it comes to welding alum, welded the damaged areas then I used a die grinder with a cutoff wheel, sanding disc and 3M buffing pad to finish the welded areas myself. I then lightly blasted the welded areas and dipped them in an alum brightener solution.
Below is start to finish.





















I will replace the existing 9-fin covers on my FI 56, which are not nearly as nice as those above!

Tom Parsons

[John D.]

Re: Finned Valve Cover Repair

Tom, You did a really nice job. Want some more to do? You certainly have a lot of patience. You really brought those VC's back to life. Problem is if a guy has to farm out a job like that the cost is prohibitive. John

[Steven B.]

Re: Finned Valve Cover Repair

Tom, what aluminum cleaner do you use?

Steve

[Tom P.]

Re: Finned Valve Cover Repair

Tom, what aluminum cleaner do you use?

Steve

Steve,
Another good friend of mine owns an auto detail supply business. He supplies all kinds of supplies, chemicals, etc to dealerships and auto detail shops. He makes up some kind of "industrial strength" chemical for brightening up tarnished alum products. This chemical is VERY popular with the horse trailer manufacturers in the area. They spray it on alum trailers after all the welding is finished then power wash it off.
I don't know just what all is in the brightener, but one of the ingredients is Phosphoric acid (did you know some kind of Phosphorus compound is in many laundry detergents?). The solution comes in gallon jugs and must be diluted (about 4-5 parts H2O/1 part brightener). I have a BIG plastic barrel about 1/4 full of brightener solution that I dip parts into for a FEW SECONDS, then remove and power wash with HOT water immediately! As you can see, the final finish is a little duller than the original factory new finish, but it sure makes a nice, even, clean finish. And after several months on an engine, it won't make much difference.

John D,
Yes, it requires patience and it's time consuming.
Not only is this an example of why I do as much of my own work as possible, but also I do not have the BIG $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ that MOST of the independantly wealthy NCRS members have!

[Stuart F.]

Re: Finned Valve Cover Repair

Tom;

Yes, you do great work. You are the epitomy of what this hobby is all about. Doing things yourself, and finding the way and the means to do it gives a sense of pride and satisfaction that is priceless. I hope the younger fellows in our organization take notice of your fine example.

Stu Fox