Painting engine without removing it.

[74 challenge]

Hey guys,

I tried for the life of me scrubbing my edelbrock intake but I cannot get these black marks off of it where some oil had sat on it for a few years due to the resut of an improperly installed intake gasket. I tried engine cleaners, heavy duty degreasers, even a copper wire brush...

So Instead I have picked up some Dodge Blue Engine Paint and I am going to install the intake and all the components and spray it blue. A few questions are:

1. How do I paint the aluminum intake vs the rest of the engine? Do I need to prime it?

2. As for the rest of the block I am going to give it a good cleaning , should I scuff it up a bit with some scotch brite? Prime it?

3. has anyone had any luck doing this?

I obviously only want to do this once and have it looking good.

[Jamiez]

I painted my Aluminum intake last week.  As with most painting, prep is everything.  Clean the intake, then clean it again.  If you can, I'd try blasting it to see if you can't get that stain off.  For mine, after cleaning it twice, I hit it with a scotch brite, then cleaned it.  After that I primed it with engine primer, 2 light coats, then 2 color coats, and finally a coat of clear for protection (not really for shine).

I also painted the top of the water pump while it was in place.  After several cleanings I hit it with the scotch brite and then cleaned it.  Again 2 light coats of primer, 2 color, 1 clear.

You can see it around page 20 in my restoration thread:

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=77949.285

['Cuda Hunter]

I have to think that painting the whole engine in place would be impossible.
At least if you would like to get a quality paint job.
Just no way to get those lower parts without the paint looking crumby while in the engine bay.

 

Good luck.  Let's see some pics!

[74 challenge]

I have to think that painting the whole engine in place would be impossible.
At least if you would like to get a quality paint job.
Just no way to get those lower parts without the paint looking crumby while in the engine bay.

 

Good luck.  Let's see some pics!

I should have said I am only cleaning up the top half of the engine after leaky intake gaskets. Basically the intake, as much as I can see of the heads and the top front of the engine. I will for sure post some pics.

['Cuda Hunter]

My mistake. I misunderstood. 

I fully agree with Jamiez.

[74 challenge]

I painted my Aluminum intake last week.  As with most painting, prep is everything.  Clean the intake, then clean it again.  If you can, I'd try blasting it to see if you can't get that stain off.  For mine, after cleaning it twice, I hit it with a scotch brite, then cleaned it.  After that I primed it with engine primer, 2 light coats, then 2 color coats, and finally a coat of clear for protection (not really for shine).

I also painted the top of the water pump while it was in place.  After several cleanings I hit it with the scotch brite and then cleaned it.  Again 2 light coats of primer, 2 color, 1 clear.

You can see it around page 20 in my restoration thread:

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=77949.285

Took a look at page 20 and I like the look. I am going to assemble everything then paint so all the bolts and fittings etc are blue. I also have black mopar finned valve covers so those are off and will not be painted. By painting it assembled I think I should be able to blend it to avoid the color difference as much as possible.

[Barracudadan]

I have to think that painting the whole engine in place would be impossible.
At least if you would like to get a quality paint job.
Just no way to get those lower parts without the paint looking crumby while in the engine bay.

 

Good luck.  Let's see some pics!

It can be done but it aint easy Lol!  Here is a pic of my engine bay I did all the work with the motor in place headers were not on at the time so that helped. The 318 has since been removed for a stroked 360! Seeing this pic reminds me I gotta get around to selling the air cleaner and Cal Custom valve covers I don`t have a use for them now!