Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: w113bkk on July 21, 2017, 01:05:28
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What is the proper valve cover finish? When I look at restored engine bays that are immaculate the valve covers look like the one I attached. Is it anodized? How can I get mine to look like that? I am assuming the thermostat housing would be done in the same finish.
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Here is a photo of mine when the car was 6mo old and what it looks like today. No anodize, just a nice dull, natural aluminum finish.
John
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What a great comparison and priceless documentation!
I am amazed how you mainteined it! It is just the battery, yellow plating and a Castrol sticker on the oil cap that have changed!!
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Wow that's a great before and after! I'm sure very few people could duplicate this. Your engine bay is well preserved considering your car is almost 50.
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According to the site where you found that photo, the aluminum parts including the valve cover were refinished in a ceramic tumbler.
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I had the photo on my desktop. I searched ceramic tumbled 280sl valve cover on google and found the site you might have been mentioning.
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If you want to do it on the cheap, remove the valve cover/parts. Lots of elbow grease and Barkeepers Friend. Its a lot like Comet but less abrasive. My valve cover took me about 2 hours
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Vapour Blast it is the best results. This will make the valve cover and the intake plus all other casting look new again as per factory spec's
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When Metric Motors did my engine rebuild I believe they did a chemical cleaning. It came out looking like a fresh casting, a bit different than some you see here, but see my photo. It's been about 15 years now, so things are a bit dull (that's what happens to it over time) but if I wanted to when I removed the valve cover I'd do another chemical cleaning to bring it back, and maybe a clear powder coat to preserve the look. They do have matte powder coats that can withstand temperature excess.
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My mechanic just started using tiny glass beads to blast clean the aluminum parts of an engine he has apart (someone else's). The parts look absolutely brand new.
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Glass beading the valve cover is problematic because it is difficult to keep the beads out of the covered breather area that is caked with grime inside. That cover is not easily removed and there is a post on this site where a member did just that to clean it. I would be very careful glass beading your valve cover.
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I currently have my valve cover and other aluminum parts (about 30) at a local deburring company. They have huge tumblers. Probably more than 6 feet in diameter. I showed the owner the same photo from MotoringInvestments and he said he could do it. I will let you know how they turn out when I get them back.
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Does anybody know the exact location of decals or stickers that are supposed to be affixed on the cylinder head of my 1970 280SL? Pictures would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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So I was wondering if anyone might be able to shed any light on our new to us 70 280, valve cover. Ive searched the forum for "black valve cover" (and many other combos), posts were limited, and if I recall, was a painted black. This cover has a crinkle powder coat finish, and the 3 pointed stars, are silver (aluminum sub straight is exposed). Is this a common MB replacement part? Or done by a prior owner? Works on this car as its a silver / black color combo.
Apologies in advance, if this is covered already here. As I'm new, I don't want to be asking dumb questions.
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Never saw a black valve cover. Also, the underside of the hood should be body color.
John
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Agreed, the car has had some front end damage (likely a long time ago, as the clear coat is lightly cracking), one fender and the hood have been replaced. The stamped body number is missing from the hood, and spot welds are missing on one side, and filled over on the other. The valve cover is a mystery.
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The only time I know of for the black valve cover was for the show car option. 997 I think. This was a shiny finish, and the fuel lines were chromed.
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So I guess its a bit of a mystery.