Rocker Cover

[greentouring]

Just been and bought some black heat resistant paint, which is apparently ok up to 650 degrees C. It states it is suitable for very high temps, and that the paint won't completely dry until up to 250 degrees?! I'm guessing it will be dry to the touch though...........

The rocker was quite clean anyway but I've sanded it down and prepared to spray it. Anything I should be aware of before I begin removing the rocker cover? When it's removed what's the best way to cover the exposed area before replacing the cover?

[GDBN]

Just pull the bonnet down .. maybe put a cloth over the exposed area.

Just make sure the rocker is completely free of grease etc.

G

[greentouring]

Got my rocker cover looking lovely......run into one slight problem! I have placed everything back where it should be, and there's this plastic cover thing that contains the ingnition leads keeping them all neat and tidy. They're supposed to run along channels within the plastic cover, but of course, will they heck! And now I can't fit the cover back!

Has anyone got a diagram as to show which cable goes into which slot? I put them where it looks obvious but the bloody thing won't click back into position................

Before you ask, when I took it apart, the cables just sort of 'fell out' before I could make a note (that's my story and I'm sticking to it.....lol)

Will post a photo of the rocker cover when I've got this part back in position.

[munky30]

I had this problem... a bit of patience, cable ties and some trial and error worked wonders.

The little plastic guides on the bottom part of it help a bit.

[greentouring]

Cheers Munkey, will give it a go.......

[munky30]

also... I've been told that the rocker and inlet on an m20 wont get hot enough to set very high temp paint properly.

A good primer and top coat of ordinary matt black will do the job.

[davidt]

Try VHT wrinkle plus paint its the best I have used on engine parts.

[greentouring]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Hey, David, that braided hose is looking good; I want to get some of that myself.

Right, below are photos of my work. As I'm always have a temporary cash-flow problem, it was a modification done on a budget of around 7 Euros and a lot of elbow grease. It's not like some of the spectacular mods many carry out on here, but if anyone wants a cheap and cheerful way of spending a daywith some good end results, here's a way………..

[davidt]

Nice and clean I like the polished air flow meter and inlet manifold, did you use lacquer to give it a shine.

[munky30]

Looks spot on chap.

Might be worth spraying the plastic spark plug cover thing and dizzy cover too.

[greentouring]

David, I think that the manifold looks cleaner because of the camera's flash. However, it was always quite clean, but pitted. I just put the sander on it with a wire disc thingy..lol (wear a mask as it gets dusty). I may paint it with some silver heat paint. As for the airflow meter, I carefully sanded it down bit by bit with various grades of sandpaper. It's all time very consuming, but worth it. Every time I open the bonnet I get a nice surprise how clean it all is…………..this is something only us car enthusiasts can understand apparently…lol.

Munky, thanks mate! Yes, I'm going to spray the spark plug cover with a plastic primer then paint it. Now, this is where I show my mechanical ignorance: what is a dizzy cover?

Later plans: well my strict, non-existent budget means I choose one piece under the bonnet and begin working on it until it looks pleasing to my eye. I use everything available and so far the cost has been that 7 euros. I will later get a nice oil cap, a strut brace, fit my K& N and paint the exhaust manifold. With a 1.6i engine, I won't be able to break any new speed records, but enjoy making the most of what I already own as it's a challenge. May put a stainless steel exhaust system, a chip and a few other little mods later.

Thanks for our interest fellas

Shi*, I've written an essay!

[dom-1984-320i]

That looks good mate, nice tidy job!

[munky30]

Distributor cover.

The black plastiv thing at the front of the rocker cover. It comes of with a couple of clips and can be sprayed to match up to the rocker. My mate has a nice black rocker that I did for him and it really shows up how bad his dizzy cover is.

If it was me I would have done this btw... not a fan of polished inlets (ooer!)

[Speedtouch]

With that engine, why bother with removing the inlet & rocker cover to paint them when you could have just masked up the stripes and sprayed the whole engine crackle/satin black...

[munky30]

I took the rocker and inlet off my old engine and swapped them for his. I did advise him to take all the plastics out and spray them black, polish his afm and tb etc etc... If he doesnt make the rest of it look nice to match my hard work I will kill his pets.

[munky30]

oh and they're not masked, they get sprayed, then I sand them down with varying grits of sandpaper on a block until it looks like brushed alloy not (very poorly) cast stuff.

[Speedtouch]

Cool, they do look pretty smart it has to be said

[tezk]

Thats an impressive engine bay. The rocker covers look so much better in black with the silver higlights.
So what do people use to clean up their covers? I've got a wire brush for the drill I used to clean up the alloys but it took whacking great chunks of metal out.
Are they safe to put in the dishwasher, ie would they warp? Or is the only danger there the missus finding out?
I've got vague memories of that bloke doing the car is born series putting something in his..

[munky30]

spray on some gunk (engine degreaser) then attack it with a wire brush on a drill until its clear of grime and vaguely shiny, then spray.

320ise - I was very pleased with the result... just a shame they went into such a stinking filthy engine bay!

[snoops]

[cliffybabe]

i cant wait to get my new stuff on not painted but polished

[greentouring]

Me like!

Not a big chrome fan like yourself, but this does look great and will make your car even more a chrome deviant machine!

How was it done, who did it and what was the cost?

[cliffybabe]

Me like!

Not a big chrome fan like yourself, but this does look great and will make your car even more a chrome deviant machine!

How was it done, who did it and what was the cost?

cheers dude, its being done by TNG from what i gather lots of hard graft, i can put u in touch if u like

[greentouring]

Thanks, but I'm over here in SW France............ Anyway, just done mine black. They've done an awesome job with yours though.

[cliffybabe]

They've done an awesome job with yours though.

cheers dude

[E30Till]

cliffybabe how did you get them parts to look like that want to get mine done
Thanks