Re: 1948 288 Engine Head Refurbish

Posted by Fish'n Jim On 2017/9/25 9:02:29

No one answered on the powder coating question, so if you do, use high temp powders, just for less possible discoloration over time.
I don't see a need with the modern engine paints, however. They are good to 500+F and seem to be easy to apply. I did the Cad with Eastwoods, only to get the color. Rattle cans are OK too for something like a head.
You can ceramic coat also, and preserve an unpainted cast iron look, but neither of the thermals were factory finishes. They came out spray painted at the factory. Any thermal coating is going to require an oven bake before to devolatilize and after to cure. Cracks can grow from thermal cycles. So consider you're needs before your options. You don't want to do all that head work only to get a crack after/from appearance coating.
ps: I'd opt for new studs. Cleaning rusty threads doesn't ensure integrity. If you snap one during torque, it's start over.