Haven't seen much by way of pros or cons on this topic so I thought I'd toss it out there. I'm replacing my valve cover that has developed some cracks (168k) with a good condition (84k) replacement cover. Since these have a tendency to develop problems, I was thinking that having it powder coated may help preserve this part.


Thoughts, suggesstions?

 

I have been looking into doing this as well with a ceramic coating. From what I can tell there seems to be a few potential problems.

Because the cover is a casting (and a rough one at that), it is quite porous. It must fully cleaned and all the moisture/oil removed in order for the coating to adhere properly. This is done by baking the cover at temps of around 450F for about an hour or so.

Unfortunately magnesium is a soft metal and can be weakened or warped by exposure to high heat conditions. I think it can be done successfully but you need to find someone very experienced at working with magnesium alloys.

 

In a previous discussion there was a link to information to a Corvette forum. In the mid 90's and maybe a lot later they also had mag covers and powder coating was one of the techniques used.
Doing a search here for Corvette or powder coat may find that thread.

 

I think one of the issues is that there are all manner of magnesium alloys and types of castings. Most are an alloy of magnesium and aluminum but just a small percentage difference in the amount of aluminium in the alloy makes a big difference in it's physical properties.

Looking around the web it seems that just as any people succeed as fail when powder coating mag covers, so I think the secret lies in getting someone who really knows the correct prep/coating/cure procedure for your alloy.

 

Thanks for chiming in, and I wanted to pass this along:

I talked at length today with a great guy that works at the local Jag dealer. He consulted with one of their techs that he described as "the best jag knowledge base he knows".

The techs advice on preserving the cam cover from warping is using a product he said is generally used on alternators. He said it was called "varnish paint" from Grainger, just spray it all around and inside the coil housing (or whatever you call the "holes" where you plug in the coils!) to protect it from arcing coils.

I didn't find that exact item, but I did find a spray on varnish for electrical parts. Think I'll give that a shot.

He also said what so many before here have said - after market coils are not as dependable as OEM. He also said that it's the arcing coils (usually aftermarket) that are generally responsible for the warping cam covers - and not as I have heard the warped cam covers ruining the coils. Food for thought, like what came first, the chicken or the egg.

 

never understood the mystery here- the rooster of course!

 

Arcing coils cause corroded valve covers? Hmmmh, let me see.

 

That would be "non OEM" arcing coils. Because, of course, the covers are great!