Aluminum Intake blasted
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: South Carolina
Aluminum Intake blasted
This was my intake before, with all the oil/gas stains that would not come off.
After a good bead blasting.
And then a few coats of "Old Ford Blue"
It's pretty for now, even though it certainly won't stay that way!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: South Carolina
Two reasons really... I never would have even considered painting it when I first bought it because it looked really great, that is until it started to stain in ways that I couldn't remedy with anything I tried. Then when I bead blasted it, that kind of took the finish off of it and even if I had blasted it and left it at that, I knew what was going to happen to it again over the next few years or so and figured that a painted surface would be easier to clean. The other reason - That Old Ford Blue is just way too cool! JMO though.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,493
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From: SE Iowa
The same reason I painted a Sidewinder intake to match the rest of the motor. To give the illusion of a stock, overweight cast iron intake. Only those who look closely can tell the difference. Especially with the FOMOCO insignia, firing order, and part#.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Edmond, OK
Did you bead blast the bottom as well? There are guys that say you should never use glass media on the oil side of the intake manifold as the shards of glass get embedded in the aluminum, then thermal expansion releases them into the oil and to the bearing surfaces.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: South Carolina
Based on that, I really hope they didn't do that, but honestly, I don't know. A friend did it for me and when I got it back, it had some kind of grey paint all over it, even on the bottom. I have a feeling he did the bottom as well, because it was obviously about as nasty as the top. Oh well. It's back on top of the heads now, so I'll hope for the best. Thanks for passing that along though.
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Joined: Feb 2010
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i've never heard of the glass media getting stuck in the aluminum. i know a master machinist who's built many 800+ hp motors and he blasts all the used intakes. to clean them, he also uses and aluminum parts washer as well... my intake was cleaned by him on 2 seperate ocations.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: BFE
I'd say the thermally released silica particulate issue is a moot point with all surfaces painted. Sounds like your buddy that blasted your intake knew a little about this and saved you the heartbreak of wasted bearings by painting the underside. Note to self: The next time you blast an aluminum intake make sure to paint the underside.
PS: BTW that Ford blue really pops don't it?
PS: BTW that Ford blue really pops don't it?
Last edited by Fordgery; Apr 10, 2010 at 07:15 PM. Reason: To add
