Silly question...

Would you guys paint the inside of a steel valve cover on a 1987 454 Mag? I have to get my motor back together before Thursday and the inside of one valve cover is pretty rusted. I was thinking of just wire wheeling it, soaking it good with degreaser, applying rust converter, and then shooting it with Mercury Black. Good idea? I don't want to spend $$$ on new covers..and I don't have much time left.

I am worried about the paint peeling off, but then I remembered the hot rod days when we used to paint the lifter galleys to aid in oil drainback....

I wouldn't. Just clean it up, the oil splash in there will keep it in good shape. Why risk paint falling off inside?

Ditto, no other internals are painted, why risk it.

Clean off the rust and do not paint it. At some point the paint will come off and go thru the motor.

+4. Just clean her up, with no paint.


Darrell.

I agree with the rest.. Just clean it up and put it on.. It will have plenty of oil slung on it, def wont rust...


John jr

You guys would think that would be the case. However, ever since my motor was a cappuchino maker back in 2007, the rust keeps coming back from the condensation in the motor - especially after being winterized. I think that once the rust started, it is like cancer, and I just don't want the cover to perforate during the season. So, I will just clean it up and put a rust neutralizer on it with no paint and see what happens.

Thanks!

I guess I'm the only one who read this and figures if it rusted once, it'll rust again?

You've got to get it perfectly clean and put something in there. Aren't engine paints supposed to be petroleum resistant? Lots of heads got painted to help with oil drainback, don't see why painting a valve cover would be different?

You could always get a set of alluminum valve covers. I just sold my old set for $50 on craigslist. Or buy a new set, I have the EMI, CP Perf has several different styles.

+1
IMO would be your best bet.