Hi everyone,
I am building a Ronart 152 incorporating a 4.0L V8 Jaguar engine which has the standard plastic rocker covers and plug covers. For aesthetic reasons I would like o fit aluminium ones if available. Does anyone out there know where I can get them or any alternative solution. Many thanks

 

Welcome to the forum g.dover,

You have correctly chosen to post this question in Jaguar Engines forum but I think in this case it will get a better response in XK8/XKR forum.

I've therefore moved it to XK8/XKR forum but left a redirect in Jaguar Engines so you get double the chances of an answer!

I'm not aware of aluminium camshaft covers for the 4.0 Litre being manufactured in the UK and, if they are available from anywhere, this is likely to be in the US. Members here will be able to advise.

When you get a minute, please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some info about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

I would look at chrome-plating the plastic ones.

Or maybe it would be possible to wrap them Alsa Corp | Strech Chrome Film

But with the heat in the engine bay the finish might not look great for long.

I seem to recall someone here on the forum wrapped their valve covers in carbon fibre look vinyl...

 

Go here: Paragon Design UK



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Thanks for the feed back, however I have looked at chrome plating and everyone tells me that unless the rocker covers are made from ABS plastic, chroming is not an option, unless you know otherwise? I am looking to have them machined from a block of aluminium, but suspect the costs maybe prohibitive.

 

This are coil pack covers the valve covers remain plastic. I have a set and had them custom painted for my car. He does good work. I'm pretty sure they were polished aluminum.

 

This might be an alternative, but I share your concerns re. effect of heat in engine bay. Many thanks for you help.

 

Chrome Solutions

 

Beav, Many thanks for the info, the video was really interesting and I guess the next challenge is to find someone in the UK who can do it for me. As they chrome plated a plastic valve cover, I assume the finish is resistent to the associated operating temperatures?

 

No idea, you now know as much about it as I do. Just tripped over it the other day while binge watching Jay's garage on YouTube and recalled your post.

I particularly like being able to tint the clearcoat. It would make for an interesting repaint, spraying an anodized look to an entire car.

 

http://tinyurl.com/l3s932w

 

I just started palladium plating-leafing ( almost as shiny as chrome ) my intake runners as a dress up - let me see if the "glue" survives the heat load before I call it a success ...

 

I looked into the possibility of having a pair of rocker covers machine from aluminium billets, however the cost was prohibitive ( in excess of £3K). This being the case, I opted to have the coil covers machined from billets, which were also expensive mainly due to the CNC programming time, however now that it's been done any others required would be substantially cheaper, so if any one is interested in a pair, let me know and I can arrange it. They look really great and will no doubt outlast the engine. I have photos if anyone is interested!!!

 

Photo below.

 

Hydrographic coating? They may not have chrome but the carbon fiber looks good.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...2l-xkr-112687/