"Bullitt Ride" (yesterdayknight)
10/23/2013 at 14:32 • Filed to: None
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"Bullitt Ride" (yesterdayknight)
10/23/2013 at 14:32 • Filed to: None | 6
| 16 |
Whilst inspecting my !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! I discovered that the timing belt had just over 100,000km (~63,000 miles) on it, which is about 20,000km past the service interval. Not that the belt broke, but fortunately the B230FT motor is a non-interference motor (unlike the M20 in my E30).
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Based on the build-up on the front of the motor I could tell that there was an occasional coolant leak from the shaft seal on the water pump as well as an oil leak from the camshaft seal.
After obtaining the necessary parts I set out to replace the timing belt, water pump and camshaft seal. Once I got to the cam seal I noticed that half of the cam seal carrier must be part of the cap for the first camshaft journal, so in order to properly replace the seal I’d need to remove the valve cover. Not knowing I’d be taking off the valve cover I hadn’t bought a new valve cover gasket. So seeing as I had a couple days to kill waiting to get a new valve cover gasket from the $tealership I decided to freshen up the valve cover using some of the left over Ferrari valve cover paint ( a.ka. VHT Red Wrinkle paint) from when I built my M20 stroker motor.
So without further ado…here’s how to “Ferrari” your valve cover in 3 easy steps:
Step one: Media Blasting
For those cheapskates reading, sanding the valve cover by hand is possible, but media blasting will always do a better job. Pretty much every local shop will have a small cabinet for blasting parts, so if you don’t have access to one, just ask a shop and they’ll likely do it for you on the cheap ($10 or less). Just make sure that they aren't using a media that's too aggressive (such as steel shot) otherwise it could damage your valve cover (assuming it's cast aluminum like mine). As you can see from the image I had masked off the inside of the valve cover. You don’t want, or need to re-paint that part of the valve cover seeing as it gets continually sprayed with oil while the engine is running. After blasting the valve cover, remove the masking, blow it off with compressed air. Make sure to remove any blasting media that made it past the masking (some always will) because you definitely don’t want to get any of that into your motor otherwise it might land you with a Ferrari sized repair bill. Once the valve cover is clean re-mask the inside of the valve cover with fresh tape.
Step two: Painting
Painting is easy, simply follow the instructions on the can and then let it sit and cure overnight. It's always a fun surprise to leave something that looks glossy and smooth and come back to a wrinkled, textured finish.
Step three: Buffing
Since this paint doesn't fully set-up until it’s baked (or heat cycled on your engine) it stays a little bit soft. Using a razor you can scrape off the majority of the paint on the raised parts of the valve cover and then use a some fine grit sand paper and/or scotch brite to buff the highlights to whatever finish you desire. I happened to use a pistol grip air tool with an abrasive pad to finish mine, it makes the job quick and simple.
So now you look the part, but without the fear of spontaneously bursting into flames, it really does make your engine bay look quite sharp!
PatBateman
> Bullitt Ride
10/23/2013 at 14:34 |
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I looked at the title of your post and thought: "Step 1: buy a linen suit and roll up the sleeves, Step 2: spray paint the car red..."
Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
> Bullitt Ride
10/23/2013 at 14:38 |
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I will never understand the existence of interference motors. I think about the timing belt every time I drive my Alfa.
Sam
> Bullitt Ride
10/23/2013 at 14:44 |
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Does this make your car more prone to spontaneous combustion?
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Bullitt Ride
> Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
10/23/2013 at 14:45 |
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#becauseracecar
I think about it as maximizing the compression ratio by not having a deep valve relief, as well as maximizing the ability to breathe by running higher lift on the cam. The real question is if you're building an interference motor why not use a timing chain? Although generally speaking there's not much to worry about if you change your belt on schedule.
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Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
> Bullitt Ride
10/23/2013 at 15:02 |
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I assume there is some kind of reason, but I'm with you on the timing chain part; it just makes more sense. I know there's not a real reason to worry about the timing belt if changed on schedule, but I often worry about some rock coming up and hitting and cutting it (unlikely), or, more likely, the belt jumping a tooth for whatever reason, causing a joyus fight between piston and valve.
liquid_popcorn
> Bullitt Ride
10/23/2013 at 15:07 |
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Looks good! I have a 240DL with a B23F; I'm thinking of repainting the valve cover at some point too. After mechanical upgrades, most likely; it needs some love on basics before I'm ready to do anything for fun/looks.
Destructive Tester
> Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
10/23/2013 at 15:46 |
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Nah, there's never anything joyous about that fight. It typically goes about as well for the valves as a fight with Mike Tyson would go for me...
I'm fully aware of your sarcasm, I've had the same paranoia since having a timing belt tensioner failure during the expected life span of a belt.
Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
> Bullitt Ride
10/23/2013 at 15:47 |
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Step one: Throw money into it, literally, make it rain
Step two: Buy gasoline
Step three: Douse car in gasoline
Step four: Flick your bic and light it on fire
That's how you make your car into a Ferrari. Thanks for reading my instructable.
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Destructive Tester
> Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
10/23/2013 at 16:52 |
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I forgot to mention the fact that your name makes me laugh every time I read it...
MonkeePuzzle
> Bullitt Ride
10/23/2013 at 17:39 |
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yours looks better than the ferrari one, easily
Remember dialing "popcorn" for the time?
> Bullitt Ride
11/01/2013 at 16:03 |
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Did you also paint "Testarossa" on the back and add the requisite "Type R" badges? ;-)
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Bullitt Ride
> Remember dialing "popcorn" for the time?
11/01/2013 at 16:14 |
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No, but I was thinking of making some superleggera stickers and placing them by the rust spots in order to indicate that the rust is intentional weight reduction #becauseracecar
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Remember dialing "popcorn" for the time?
> Bullitt Ride
11/01/2013 at 16:22 |
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Literally LOL ... and I'm at work!
Is your real name Anthony Bruce Colin Chapman? Adding lightness ...
PS9
> Bullitt Ride
11/05/2013 at 18:34 |
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You forgot the final step...
Joseph Shaul
> Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
11/08/2013 at 01:39 |
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Interference allows for greater valve lift. Greater valve lift improves flow. Improved flow makes everything better.
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Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
> Joseph Shaul
11/08/2013 at 09:15 |
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There we have it, then. Still doesn't help my neuroticism.