Hey all, have a fresh Weiand action plus intake on the way for Bruce. Hope to cure my long standing impossible to find vacuum leak. (Not just throwing parts at did a bunch of testing to pinpoint)

anywho, my current edelbrock performer is always getting waterspotted and dingy. Any options besides clear coat to keep a new intake looking nice?

anybody try shark hide or something like that?

 

i think you bet bet is a clest coat. Even i if its alresdy installed i think a quick tape and sptay woukd keep ya. With the texture im not sure if any rub on compunds would keep.

 

I powdered coated mine in natural aluminum. It cleans up easy now.

 

How did you find the leak. I also have a new Edelbrock performer. I cannot get my truck to idle under 900 RPMS but I cannot find the damn leak to save my life. I'm not sure it has a leak... could be a carb issue but I rebuilt the damn thing twice.

Very sorry to get off of the topic.

 

I heard about the shark hide too but never got around to trying it and it's too late now. I think clear tends to yellow too quick.

 

Painted mine with high temp cast aluminum engine enamel and then applied high temp clear enamel.

Cleans up really easy and is low-buck.



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Clean thoroughly and paint or otherwise coat it seems to work best. Dedicated aluminum paints like Sherwin Williams "cast blast" spray bomb adhere well, last and clean up well. They can also look surprisingly natural.

 

looks like my reply never posted...

smoke machine evap tester clued me in. Had smoke coming out crankcase breather. So then as another way to check I hooked a shop vac to pull a vacuum on the crankcase and I have a whistle coming through the intake.

guys I just can't trust paint or clear coat. It may take years and years but I've seen enough old yellowed clear coated intakes for me not to want to try it. I'm thinking of rubbing it down with fluid film.

I've always expected a vacuum leak due to low idle vacuum, off-idle lean spot and not great power brakes. I tried carb clean spray across the intake sealing surface to no avail. I suspect the intake ports are leaking at the bottom, sucking air from the lifter valley. I have my suspicions this old intake was machined at some point

 

If you are totally against paint then I think your best option is to polish it.

I usually paint my intakes with VHT cast iron (no matter what they're made of). I just like the darker grey color and I've never had an issue w yellowing, flaking or chipping.