Author Topic: holley rebuild, how to get a "like new" body ?  (Read 2448 times)

Offline dutch

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holley rebuild, how to get a "like new" body ?
« on: October 26, 2011 - 01:03:18 PM »
so, I am cleaning up all parts now.  The body and bowls need to have some kind of finish to get and keep them looking good.
what did you do?  I`d love to see some pics    :picture:  :2thumbs:
*** Bart ***




Offline burdar

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Re: holley rebuild, how to get a "like new" body ?
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2011 - 01:11:33 PM »
You could try blasting the body with baking soda.  Start at a low pressure and see what it does before bumping up to a higher pressure.  There are instructions online how to go about making a soda blaster.

To keep the carb looking new, apply some RPM to it before you put it back together.  Tony from Tony's Parts applied it to some of his carbs and he said they are holding up nicely.

http://www.ecsautomotive.com/RPM/

Offline Road_Runner

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Re: holley rebuild, how to get a "like new" body ?
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2011 - 02:14:22 PM »
Depending on your carbs original finish you can get spray paint to recoat a 'golden' anodized Holley, silver for other carbs etc.  I looked online (Eastwood & elsewhere) and it seems that the results with paint are mixed at best and most recommend replating to get a durable finish.  I look forward to what experiences others here have had refinishing carbs.

Later, Jim
1970 383 Roadrunner Tor Red
1973 318 Barracuda Mist Green
2014 Mustang GT/CS Convertible All Black

Offline dutch

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Re: holley rebuild, how to get a "like new" body ?
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2011 - 10:22:52 AM »
Chromating is no longer done here due environmental regulations. the Rpm looks interesting, but I can`t seem to find a dealer on this side of the planet. I did shoot him an e-mail about that though.
   I have been looking at the eastwood paints and I`m leaning towards the bronze... they say it`s a shine-through enamel paint, does anyone know how much it actually shines through? 
My carb housing starts to look pretty smooth and I think it would be a shame if none of that is visible. I`d rather leave it as is, but I guess it will not look like this very long...





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Offline burdar

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Re: holley rebuild, how to get a "like new" body ?
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2011 - 10:34:48 AM »
I've used both the silver and the gold Eastwood carb paints.  None of them look close to the original finish.  You can definately tell it's painted.  If you want to leave it like you have it now, then RPM would keep it looking that way.  You could try just misting the gold carb paint on it.  At least that way it would be gold.  The only way for it to look original now is to have it replated.

Offline dutch

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Re: holley rebuild, how to get a "like new" body ?
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2011 - 12:24:48 PM »
hmmm  :clueless:  sounds like no option then....

I just got word from ecs. They get me a shippingquote  :2thumbs:
How does this stuff behave when fuel is spilled on?
*** Bart ***

Offline burdar

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Re: holley rebuild, how to get a "like new" body ?
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2011 - 12:52:03 PM »
It was designed to protect bare metal parts from rusting.  It wasn't designed specifically for use on carbs.  Since it's a new product, people are still experimenting with it.  To apply RPM you have to heat the part up to 120 degrees.  When the product comes in contact with the heated part it melts.  The area turns shiny so you can see where the product has been applied.  Once it dries, it's invisable.  If you put it on a little too thick, you can buff it to bring back the shine.

I think it would hold up nicely if exposed to fuel on a limited basis.  Only time will tell.  I've heard some people are going to try it on exhaust manifolds so they can be left bare metal also.  It was never designed to see that much heat but maybe it will work there too.

I started using it on all the fasteners I refinished.  I used it on my UCA came bolts, master cylinder, driveshaft exc...

Offline dutch

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Re: holley rebuild, how to get a "like new" body ?
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2011 - 03:43:48 PM »
is anyone keeping track of the test results?  interesting  :thumbsup:      :thinkerg:  I may make a few samples of different materials and throw em on the roof of my garage ... just curious how it will hold up on different surfaces.     
 120' C  or F ?
*** Bart ***

Offline burdar

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Re: holley rebuild, how to get a "like new" body ?
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2011 - 04:01:49 PM »
120 degrees F

ECS has some test pictures online that show parts that have been sprayed with salt water.  The treated areas still look new.  I'll find a link to those pictures for you.

Offline burdar

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Re: holley rebuild, how to get a "like new" body ?
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2011 - 04:20:44 PM »
I'm not finding the post I wanted but it showed a brake drum with half of it coated.  It was subjected to multiple salt sprays and the only corroded areas are the non treated sections.

This link shows a small part that was submerged for 10 days in water.  The very next page shows a copy of the engineering report.

  http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=6156475&page=0&fpart=9&vc=1