Painting Cobra Valve Covers

[BlackenedSVT]

Hey guys. I've been debating painting my valve covers on my 2004 Cobra. Make it match the rest of the car and stand out more. Had a few questions maybe you can all help me with since I'm new to the DOHC motors.

1) do you have to removed the spark plugs to take the valve covers off? What is their tightening torques to reinstall, if so

2) probably should replace the valve cover gaskets after removing the covers, right? 14k miles on the engine/car

3) how hard is it to even remove the valve covers, anything out of the ordinary I should know about?


I want to paint them a matte/flat black color...but with that rough texture to it. I can't remember what kind of paint or type of paint that is. But maybe some of you know what im talking about. When its done, it looks almost like a truck bed Dura-Liner. Know what black paint I'm talking about?

Anyway, what do you all think of this? anyone painted their valve covers?

Any painters or body shop out there that could maybe give me some advice? Do I need to strip the paint off the covers now and coat with anything? Or just clean them and paint over?

Any help would be appreciated, I know I just wrote a lot.

 

[CENTENNIALSTANG]

I got the black crinkle finish with the aluminum 4.6 32V coil covers http://www.karkraft.com/valve_covers.htm and had my intake painted crinkle black also. Ill post pics thursday my mechanic said it looks awsome.




But dont steal my idea dammmmmit jk

 

[DaNd4Speed]

Are the 2003 Mach I valve covers interchangeable? If so, they're already painted black.

 

[BlackenedSVT]

I got the black crinkle finish with the aluminum 4.6 32V coil covers http://www.karkraft.com/valve_covers.htm and had my intake painted crinkle black also. Ill post pics thursday my mechanic said it looks awsome.




But dont steal my idea dammmmmit jk

Do you have to clearcoat these or anything? did you buy yours from KarKraft? You just installed them?

Post pics! thanks for the link. I guess "crinkle finish" was the paint type I was looking for. thanks bud

 

[DTNODYA]

I would use a ceramic type paint ... like the duplicolor high temp (like 1500 degree) paint. For that stuff to cure really well, it needs heat and running the engine would make it durable as the heat would cure it completely. You wouldn't need to clear coat it because when the paint cured, it would look nice.

Food for thought .....

I definitely wouldn't clear a 'crinkle' paint.

 

[bdcardinal]

spark plugs dont come out, just the coils. the drivers side is the most difficult because you have to finagle it past the master cylinder.

if i was doing it i would get high temp paint and wetsand it and then clear coat. get the new valve cover gaskets. also clean up the hardware, nothing looks worse than a pretty motor with ugly hardware.

 

[CENTENNIALSTANG]

I bought mine from karkfraft no need for prep work. I didnt install them my mechanic did, im getting my car wednsday so ill get some pics up for you then.

 

[BlackenedSVT]

Yeah i've found these Karkraft ones. They are exactly what i'm looking for...

Did they come with new valve cover gaskets? Or did you have to buy them? What type of gasket sealant (if any) did your mechanic put on them? Did any sealant come with the KarKraft Valve Covers?

 

[CENTENNIALSTANG]

Ya they came with gaskets i have no idea what sealant he used. They didnt come with sealant. Call em tommorrow they have great customer service they might sell sealant idk...

 

[BlackenedSVT]

Ya they came with gaskets i have no idea what sealant he used. They didnt come with sealant. Call em tommorrow they have great customer service they might sell sealant idk...

Get some pics up buddy!

How long did it take you for your mechanic to install. what did he charge you?

Independent shop or Ford?

 

[bdcardinal]

you use a little silicone sealant where the front cover and the head meet.

 

[CENTENNIALSTANG]

Get some pics up buddy!

How long did it take you for your mechanic to install. what did he charge you?

Independent shop or Ford?

Its a independent shop I have know idea how long it took knowing him 3-4 days hes a major procrastinator (sp) ) but i would guess 1.5 hours maybe. The price i have no idea, he did a complete motor for me so the individual price of the valve covers i couldnt say.