Edelbrock Performer RPM intake coating question

[72hemi]

Yesterday I received my new Edelbrock Performer RPM intake (part number 7176) and it has a coating on it like a clear or something and its even on the mating surfaces and i am wondering if that is normal for new Edelbrock intakes?
I am also wondering if it will cause any sealing problems for the carbs or onto the heads. The coating looks really nice and is pretty thick as the intake is almost smooth to the touch instead of the rough cast aluminum feel. I was planning on clearing it anyways, just found it odd it came that way.

[Chryco Psycho]

most I have seen have never been coated , I guess you got lucky , I have powder caoted them in clear before

[72hemi]

Neil, do you think I should worry about the gaskets sealing with the coating on the mating surfaces?

[dodge freak 2]

Edelbrock must now be spraying a coating on their intakes. Maybe with sales down in this slow economy they wanted make sure the intake looks like new if it sits a few years before it sells, lol.


I would leave it alone but you could use brake cleaner on the matting surfaces to remove the coating. Can't see what it hurt..might even help seal it.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I had my intake powder coated, but the shop masked off the mating areas for the carb, and heads.

My suggestion is to use Gaskasince on those mating areas. You will also have gaskets under/over each mating area, so I don't think you will have a problem.

[72hemi]

Edelbrock must now be spraying a coating on their intakes. Maybe with sales down in this slow economy they wanted make sure the intake looks like new if it sits a few years before it sells, lol.


I would leave it alone but you could use brake cleaner on the matting surfaces to remove the coating. Can't see what it hurt..might even help seal it.

Brake cleaner won't take this stuff off, maybe a grinder. This stuff is durable. I talked to a guy at a speed shop I was at today and he said that Edelbrock started doing that recently because it holds the nice clean finish of the intake longer and is a lot easier to clean. He also said that it shouldn't affect the sealing ability with the gaskets.

[IMNCARN82]

Maybe try one of those paint strippers you put in a cordless drill. They are soft but abrasive. Look like swiss cheese er somethin'   

I like the new clear!!!

[72cudamaan]

I believe that is the (endura?) coating. There is a different part # for it. So you probably paid extra for it or they sent you the wrong one.

[the_engineers]

  They're pretty helpful when I've talked with them.

[72hemi]

I believe that is the (endura?) coating. There is a different part # for it. So you probably paid extra for it or they sent you the wrong one.

Its not the endura finish that is a mirror polished finish almost like chrome.

  Why don't you just call Edelbrock and ask them what they recommend you do to make the gaskets seal properly?  They should know if anyone does.  

I'm not installing the intake until Thanksgiving and plan on talking to Edelbrock at SEMA the first week of November, I just figured I would get inputs in advanced to see if anyone else had seen this and what they have experienced, because Edelbrock can tell me one thing and what actually happens in the real world may be different.

They're pretty helpful when I've talked with them.

They have been pretty helpful when i have talked to them at shows in the past as well.

Thanks all for the input. 

[72hemi]

So I talked to Edelbrock while at SEMA and got the scoop on my intake. They said it sounds like it is a display piece which is why it has the clear coat on it. They said that there should be no impact to the sealing abilities of the intake and to not remove the clear coat from the mating surfaces as it will most likely cause the clear to chip on the rest of the intake. They recommended to just put some RTV around each port as added protection for sealing, no big deal. While I was there I got to meet and talk to Vic Edelbrock himself! and I got his autograph!

[dodge freak 2]

Maybe a speed shop sprayed their own clear coating on the intake, where did you buy the intake from?

[72hemi]

Vic was cool and down to earth, really nice guy. I bought the intake from a speed shop and it was in a sealed unopened/untampered with box, so it left the factory like that.

[dodge freak 2]

I haven't brought a new intake in ages but if the boxes are just staple closed they can be carefully open and re staple closed. Even things like shrink wrap can be redone. Some Ebay sellers are pros of making demo items look factory sealed, you just need the right equipment.

Anyways your intake looks very nice and will work just great and maybe look newer longer. I don't believe the RTV is needed but if you must just put a thin amount on. Gasoline over time can turn it jelly like that will then leak if put on heavy.