'66 427 Aluminum Intake Restoration

[Bob A.]

What should be done to restore the finish on a Aluminum Intake Manifold for a 1966 427?

[Domenic T.]

Re: '66 427 Aluminum Intake Restoration

I haven't seen any thing better than glass powder blast (fine blass bead).
It is inexpensive and does not hurt the finish as it is much finer than the SAND it was cast in.

Also it keeps the edges that are lost in tumbling along with the original sand pits it was born with.

I clear coat but many do not.

Another way is alumabrite, but if you have dark spots from corosion it may not take them out.

I used the acid rout (alumabrite) first but ended up with the powder blast in the end.

DOM

[Joel F.]

Re: '66 427 Aluminum Intake Restoration

Are you looking for a do-it-yourself type process or to send to someone? If sending out, there are a few players such as Jerry McNeish and a few others who advertise in the Driveline like Chuck Smith and the guy who does Jerry Bramlett's work (I forget his name).

John Degregory does valve covers but does not do intakes unless as part of an FI restoration.

If you want to do it your self I'd search the archives for some ideas. Some try alum jelly, brightener, bead or soda blasting, etc. you could always paint it dull aluminum as well.

[James S.]

Re: '66 427 Aluminum Intake Restoration

I use aluminum oxide 220 grit for the initial blast at 55 PSI. I then use ultra fine high quality glass bead at 95 psi and many have said it is the best aluminum finish they have seen. It's the angle; hint, hint. See pics.

[Domenic T.]

Re: '66 427 Aluminum Intake Restoration

James,
wonderfull job, the only thing you didn't share was how little time it took to make it look NEW again.
Also you can see from your pictures that it does not alter the surface in any way and there are no dark corosion spots to come back.


DOM

[Joe R.]

Re: '66 427 Aluminum Intake Restoration

I use aluminum oxide 220 grit for the initial blast at 55 PSI. I then use ultra fine high quality glass bead at 95 psi and many have said it is the best aluminum finish they have seen. It's the angle; hint, hint. See pics.

James,

That is one fine looking intake! What do you mean by "it's the angle; hint, hint."?

I assume that some of the glass bead gets inside the intake and will be ingested once the engine is run. Does that damage the engine?

Joe

[Joel F.]

Re: '66 427 Aluminum Intake Restoration

James,

That is one fine looking intake! What do you mean by "it's the angle; hint, hint."?

I assume that some of the glass bead gets inside the intake and will be ingested once the engine is run. Does that damage the engine?

Joe

Joe,

You would need to wash it thoroughly like you would a freshly machined block.

Also curious about the angles aspect.

Joel

[Rich P.]

Re: '66 427 Aluminum Intake Restoration

Best to lightly glassbead with fine beads, then rub the entire surface with grey scotch brite. Brings just enough shine back. This way in a few years when you have gas stains you simply wipe with lacquer thiner and it looks good as new. Same goes for any oxidation just hit it with a little grey scotch brite and it looks like the day it was first done. I have done this for decades and never had a complaint from a customer or Judge.

Rich