Best method for original finish on aluminum intakes?

[Blackcar]

Has anyone seen an intake cleaned with a dry ice system ?

[J_Speegle]

Has anyone seen an intake cleaned with a dry ice system ?

Only in pictures

[Drew Pojedinec]

For what it's worth.

I've taken to using zinc shot for restoring intakes.
Expensive, but it is the most original finish I've found so far.

[Drew Pojedinec]

Hi. I'd drew. I can do all kindsa neat obscure stuff. But I'm not smart enough to post photos correctly.

[Bob Gaines]

For what it's worth.

I've taken to using zinc shot for restoring intakes.
Expensive, but it is the most original finish I've found so far.

Drew, I have a very high regard for all of your work. The intake looks nice however it does not look like it did when new. The surface in the picture is too smooth and shiny.The process like so many others peen the porous surface closed and leave a smoother finish . When new the finish was dull and porous . To know what a intake historically looked like when new you only have to look as far as a new over the counter intake sold by Summit, Jegs ,Scott Drake etc.  I have seen and had NOS intakes over the years . For example the recent Scott Drake introduced repro of the S2MS intake when I had one in my hands noticed that the surface of the aluminum looked identical in texture and finish to vintage versions. It is not a big surprised as I believe the process is the same although I am sure equipment advances make production quicker and cheaper relative to the old ways.

[CharlesTurner]

A few period photos... even in black/white, the finish is as Bob notes.

[Drew Pojedinec]

Yessir Mr Bob. The closest I got to the dull stark white was when blasting with fine Garnet.

I think what you see in the images I took is probably "brighter" than reality.

Pictures as they are, often misleading. Especially black and white photos.
Smoother I 100% agree. But I think there is no way around that. When something arrives trashed, it's kinda just whatever you can do to get it to where you can.

Appreciate the input. All aiming for the same thing

[J_Speegle]

I think what you see in the images I took is probably "brighter" than reality.

Pictures as they are, often misleading. Especially black and white photos. ...

+1 Especially the brightness added by the flash used in some many of these film cameras of the time

[JD]

Hi. I'd drew. I can do all kindsa neat obscure stuff. But I'm not smart enough to post photos correctly.

Drew, I'll never be able to do what you can, beautiful work & really glad you help and contribute.

(Rotated ...)

[Drew Pojedinec]

+1 Especially the brightness added by the flash used in some many of these film cameras of the time

It is fun being a investigator of sorts with auto archeology. Half the fun with trying to restore carbs to "original" vs pretty was just this. Finding nos examples, trying to figure what aging added. Same with intakes, finding those hidden sections that were covered etc and maybe retained a few sq inch section of unoxidized finish.
A thing I have to remind myself tho when making something to a standard, is that the original manufacturer did not. They were just making a product. Variations due to batches, or a million other factors left most things wildly variable even when new.
Holleys to a much larger extent than something like raw aluminum.... But the point stands.

I'll try to find the intake photos I took when testing fine garnet. I do not believe it looks correct, but maybe it will send someone else down the path of experimenting with it.

[shelbydoug]

Here's the thing, it depends on which casting you are talking about.

The Cobra single 4's are the most flat, non-gloss ones. Similar to the oil pans.

The GT500 2x4's have a slight glow to them.

The C60A T/A I have has a definite glow to it so if you ask me, they are all different and there is no standard between them.

Now before the bickering starts, of those three, I have two that are original finish. The C7ZX and the C60A. They are from THIS planet and not delivered here by Martians, and yes they are in New York and no the air in not different here.

[csxsfm]

My favorite finish has some random gas and oil vapor stains.

[Drew Pojedinec]

Oh god... I'll regret this.

I totally agree with you Doug. 😂😂😂😂

Probably has to do with the casting sand, or moisture content, etc. I have a lot of original, never molested units that vary greatly.

[shelbydoug]

Oh god... I'll regret this.

I totally agree with you Doug. 😂😂😂😂

Probably has to do with the casting sand, or moisture content, etc. I have a lot of original, never molested units that vary greatly.

It happens but I'm ok with that but you may not be forgiven here by some of the others! 

Look out. These guys like food fights. The Cherry Jello is the worst. It really stains.

[6R07mi]

has anyone had seen what water vapor blasting produces?
It appears to affect the surface finish the least because it's mostly water droplets.

jim p