Dartthunder340
Well-Known Member
I'm trying to clean up a set of these and was wondering how to remove the finned pieces without damaging them. Also they are supposed to be a satin sheen right? Not polished? Thanks.:thumrigh:
273 valve covers
- Thread starter Dartthunder340
- Start date
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Rcuda2
Well-Known Member
I didn't remove them, taped them off and painted the covers. I don't know what type glue the factory used but I decided not to take them off.
65Val
Average Length Member
Take one of those plastic extendable blade utility knives and cut the glue underneath.
If they are the factory Commando/Charger ones, the covers should be wrinkle black. You can either try painting them, or have them powder-coated by our very own "Mistress Of Metal" CudaChick1968.
The fins tops should be shiny, along with the plug wire uprights. The rest is a satin-type gloss.
bamacuda
Well-Known Member
I had Leanna do mine (cudachick1968) and they are spot on perfect!
Me 2 She does great work!
64physhy
Well-Known Member
Thems purdy. I used the spray can, bake-on wrinkle finish and they turned out good. Did them about 10 years ago and they still look good.
Hey DartThunder, I've restored probably thirty sets of those over the years, and quite a few of them were for FABO members. Thanks for the kind words guys. :love5: I love those picture memories!
If you have a heat gun and a strong nose, point it at the underside of a finned piece from inside the valve cover for a few minutes. They're held on with 2 or 3 (usually very sloppy) dabs of black RTV silicone that will soften up with the heat. Grab the uprights with a pair of rag-covered channel locks and give a gentle twist; if it doesn't come right off, heat it up some more. DO NOT pry under it with a screw driver ... they're apparently easy to bend judging by some of them I've seen in my day but aren't so easy to fix.
The fins can be either fully polished or a 2-tone such as you describe; I've seen them show up both ways from customers who claimed they were factory so I can only presume they're right (I wasn't born yet when they started making them lol). Some of the uprights are full like Toolman's up there and others have an opening like this set.
View attachment IM005740.jpg
View attachment IM005742.jpg
View attachment IM006395.jpg
Hope this helps! Good luck with your resto. Keep us posted!
If you have a heat gun and a strong nose, point it at the underside of a finned piece from inside the valve cover for a few minutes. They're held on with 2 or 3 (usually very sloppy) dabs of black RTV silicone that will soften up with the heat. Grab the uprights with a pair of rag-covered channel locks and give a gentle twist; if it doesn't come right off, heat it up some more. DO NOT pry under it with a screw driver ... they're apparently easy to bend judging by some of them I've seen in my day but aren't so easy to fix.
The fins can be either fully polished or a 2-tone such as you describe; I've seen them show up both ways from customers who claimed they were factory so I can only presume they're right (I wasn't born yet when they started making them lol). Some of the uprights are full like Toolman's up there and others have an opening like this set.
View attachment IM005740.jpg
View attachment IM005742.jpg
View attachment IM006395.jpg
Hope this helps! Good luck with your resto. Keep us posted!
65Val
Average Length Member
(sniff,sniff) Those in the 3rd pic make my eyes water!
65Val
Average Length Member
...but the 3rd ones are soooooo purrrrrty!!!!! ;-)
I used a thin putty knife and slowly cut through the "glue" underneath. Also the things are held on with black RTV sealer so when you put them back on just glob then area with a quarter sized drop and press the fins back on and tape then in place overnight. I did mine with VHT wrinkle paint and they came out pretty good
ham_r_down01
Is Freak Nasty
I like the 4th one down...8)
Dartthunder340
Well-Known Member
Right on guys, thanks for all the input!
bargeahead
Wishicouldre member
CudaChick, CudaChick, CudaChick, CudaChick
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