Valve Covers

pudgy2342000 · Feb 16, 2012

So I would like to paint my valve covers. I was curious if the intake manifold has to be removed. I have never really studied it but from what I see it doesnt appear so. just looking to get that confirmed.

jpplaw · Feb 16, 2012

No, you do not have to remove the intake manifold to take off your valve covers. You do have to remove the coils though.

chgovfk · Feb 17, 2012

Jpplaw is correct - you can also re-use the gaskets (if you have low miles -if high maybe buy new) - but let me give you my own two cents - I painted mine old pre - 73 FoMoCo blue engine temp paint when I did my cams - Don't just try and just 'brush on' some paint by hand with them still installed - I saw this at a car show one time (the guy was actually all proud? ) but it looked really stupid and amateur - take your time - do it right

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I degreased them / took the bolts out - sanded them with a 3M red pad / light prime coat (re-sand with 1200 - any imperfections)/ taped off the oil spout / layed flat and light misted a coat - firm second coat and a final firm coat ....Let dry - they look great to me - even added an old school Auto-lite sticker for fun -

mustangmike6996 · Feb 20, 2012

i REALLY like that blue and the autolite sticker.. it looks amazing. i will be doing this for sure when i install cams in the near future...

chgovfk · Feb 20, 2012

Thanks Mike - There's a few guys on here -who have pulled the 'whole' 4.6 motor and then painted it the old school blue after a rebuild (looks awesome I think) - the autolite stickers are reproductions from a 429 Cobra jet you can find easy on ebay - I liked the larger size -

I painted my 351 W I'm building and sprayed it in the darker corporate /after 65' Blue

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- I may buy another 302 roller motor and paint it the older school blue like the 07' valve covers .....but that's way down the road -

pudgy2342000 · Feb 20, 2012

yea those valve covers look sweet. i really do like the autolite sticker as well. i plan on removing mine for paint. Im looking at the Ford blue for the covers. do you remember the part number and brand for the paint you used? and did you finish it with a high temp clear coat?
also i plan on buying new gaskets anyways. i have almost 36k on it now and i wouldnt want to do the job again for not replacing a gasket

chgovfk · Feb 21, 2012

Let me get back to my garage tonight (post tomorrow) - I have the can's on my work bench - no clear coat was needed - just like (3) three good layers and you should be fine / light primer coat - then ( I lightly mist the cover once (let dry a few min's get tacky- / then put on a good decent coat or two of color .....let it dry completely - come back nxt day and light light sand w/1200 - especially if you have some drips or runs - then a Final ..... it's all in the prep - taping and cleaning the surface - mine have held up for (2) two years as is -- and to me .....they look new - good..

chgovfk · Feb 22, 2012

The 'old' school FoMoCo blue color on the valve covers - Is - Dupli color / High temp enamel - DE 1601 Ford Blue

The corporate FoMoCo dark blue Is - Dupli color / High Temp enamel - DE 1605 Ford Dark Blue

Note ** the best ( I think ) for a matte silver finish / match to like a edlebrock manifold finish - (and I 'went through alot of different cans and types) - Is Rust Oleum (Specialty High Temp Silver) - 7716 Heat resistant silver - it's cheap and you should be able to find at home depot - I painted my water pump / manifold and trans case this color - looks good for a factory look - :crazy:

pudgy2342000 · Feb 22, 2012

cool ill check it out.

jbenevides89 · Feb 23, 2012

I used high temp dupli primer (about 3 coats) the rattle can of dupli color Sonic blue and about 4 coats of the VHT High temp engine clear. i put the stickers between the paint and clear. TAKE YOUR TIME SANDING AND PREPPING THEM!