Polishing/cleaning rocker covers and inlet manifold

[TrevS]

Hi all

In my quest for a nice shiny engine bay I'd like to get a few parts looking like new again. My rocker covers and inlet manifolds are looking a bit tired and despite trying to polish them by hand they don't look great and have some small scuff marks and just don't come up that well. Does anyone know of a specialist that can refinish these parts or are there any DIY tips to get them looking like new.

I am in the Warwickshire area so any help much appreciated

Thanks

Trev

[Mark Gordon]

If the cam covers and other aluminum bits are badly oxidized, you will probably need something more aggressive than metal polish to get the job started. I used 0000 steel wool to get rid of the oxidation and then followed up with White Diamond polish. The first time that I polished mine, some areas even needed wet/dry carborundum paper (2000 grit or finer). I've tried several different polishes that are intended for aluminum and WD was by far the best. It will take some time and effort but the final results are well worth the work and once it's done, the shine remains for months. I touch mine up with White Diamond about every 4-6 months or so to keep them "show-ready."

[nottsman]

Hi,

I found a metal finishing service close to me (AJ Calladine near Newark) by using the old tinternet and although it cost a couple of hundred quid, it was well worth the effort. I had cam covers, inlet manifold, carb pots and oil breather outlet polished.

Engine has just been rebuilt, with the head cleaned and block painted - the bling sets it off nicely

I apologise to any S2 purists out there but I love the look, especially as I've ditched the painted air filter plenium as well.

[TrevS]

Hi,

I found a metal finishing service close to me (AJ Calladine near Newark) by using the old tinternet and although it cost a couple of hundred quid, it was well worth the effort. I had cam covers, inlet manifold, carb pots and oil breather outlet polished.

Engine has just been rebuilt, with the head cleaned and block painted - the bling sets it off nicely

I apologise to any S2 purists out there but I love the look, especially as I've ditched the painted air filter plenium as well.

Looks amazing Nick, that's the sort of engine bay i want. I assume you supplied the parts to the company for finishing so how easy are the chrome parts to remove from the engine with it in the car?

Trev

[chrisfell]

Some years ago I saw a S2 with polished cam covers and triple SUs. And the manifold and breather cover. And the fan shroud (yes, really) and the pedal box (yes, that as well).

In truth, I dont think it looked good - rather too much polished metal.

[nottsman]

Trev,

Thanks for the kind words.

There are no chrome parts, just polished aluminium. I went the whole nine yards because my engine had to come out for a re-build and hence everything was coming off.

The cam covers are easy to remove as are the pots and oil breather and they can be sent away for a professional polish or your could do it yourself. There are threads in the forum where S2 cam covers have been polished by hand.

If you plan to leave the block and head in the car, you might need to consider what polished parts would like on a not so clean head, block and carb bodies.

I also changed all nuts, bolts and studs and bought the full kit from Barratts to refresh the chrome nuts that holds the head down. New hoses and stainless steel hose clips.

Stainless steel exhaust manifolds replaced the original cast manifold.

A lot depends on how far you want to go?

I sourced the polishers and bought stuff myself from the usual suspects and delivered to the guys doing the engine. They specialise in classic cars and classic rally cars.

[mgcjag]

Hi Nick...looks great....youve put a lot of work in since you got that car.....now all you have to do is get all those suspension parts zinc plated, youll like them better than black

[neal herridge]

Most of the firms that do plating also do polishing as most times its required as part of the plating process.
Adam Howell do good work & state in their advert they do rocker covers etc.
Also Castle Chrome.
It is best to take them off to get them polished the first time.
Neal.