1979 308 GTS valve cover color | FerrariChat
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1979 308 GTS valve cover color

Discussion in '308/328' started by jjk, Dec 16, 2011.

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  1. jjk

    jjk Rookie

    May 15, 2009
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    #1 jjk, Dec 16, 2011
    My covers were painted black crinkle. The covers have been off once to the documentation. I have them stripped and searched the posts for information to the original color if any. I would say that they were either unpainted or black and not ever red in 1979 from what I read. Does anybody have any solid info on this matter? If they were painted, was the script painted or left aluminum?
     
  2. cmt6891

    cmt6891 Formula 3

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    #2 cmt6891, Dec 16, 2011
    No paint, just aluminum
     
  3. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 BigTex, Dec 16, 2011
    This...natural sand cast finish.

    On the North American cars that later mold to hold the air pump bracket een leaves it rougher than the front one!

    I could see polishing them slightly and clear coating, but any painted finish is incorrect.
     
  4. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 BigTex, Dec 16, 2011
    How many miles are ON this car???

    They should come off for a valve shim check every 15K miles, IIRC...
     
  5. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
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    #5 308 GTB, Dec 16, 2011
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  6. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    #6 Nuvolari, Dec 16, 2011
    The front cover is a smooth finish pressure cast aluminum

    The rear cover is a rough finish sand cast aluminum

    The correct finish is bare aluminum. Do not media blast them as you will ruin the finish forever and it cannot be restored. Use chemical paint stripper.

    Why the difference you ask? Euro cars got the smooth covers front and rear while US Spec cars got the rough one on the rear. It is a different casting with provisions for the air pump molded into it.
     
  7. jjk

    jjk Rookie

    May 15, 2009
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    #7 jjk, Dec 16, 2011
    The mileage is about 24K. I am doing a major 30K on it. The black paint on the VC was peeling in spots so I stripped them with a very mild ergo remover preserving the original finish. It took forever, but its done right.
    The car is a survivor with Ferrari maintenance. I am surprised that a dealer might have painted them as records indicate that the VC's were off once unless they came that way. It's rather fun taking the engine/accessories apart for this service as its obvious that some of the fasteners never been touched.
    You are right as the rear facing texture is rougher than the front.
    Thanks for your help. I will leave them bare for best points.
     
  8. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 BigTex, Dec 16, 2011
    Thanks Barry!

    That shows very well what I was trying to describe.
     
  9. Constance

    Constance Karting

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    #9 Constance, Dec 16, 2011
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  10. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 BigTex, Dec 16, 2011
    Now that was very tastefully done, Constance.

    The silver metallic does look very nice, and the SMALL amount of red is "just enough"..

    Thanks for posting those pics.....
     
  11. Constance

    Constance Karting

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    #11 Constance, Dec 16, 2011
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  12. ferrarioldman

    ferrarioldman Formula 3
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    #12 ferrarioldman, Dec 16, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Very nice job Constance.
    I am working on one now that was a real mess. Everything had been media blasted. And I mean everything. The paint had even turned yellow. Probably a clear coat over aluminum paint. Plus the transmission case looked like it had been acid washed and turned the aluminum gray. Anyway, the owner decided on red wrinkle covers. Looks good to me. By the way, VHT must have changed the formula on their red. It is now more like an orangey red.
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  13. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
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    #13 308 GTB, Dec 16, 2011
    You're welcome, sir.
     
  14. brian.s

    brian.s F1 Rookie
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    #14 brian.s, Dec 17, 2011
    Nice job Tom. I paint over the VHT with a closer red enamel after the wrinkle has hardened.

    If the aluminum is media blasted it removes the original outside scale or skin formed when cast, this is what seals the pores and stops corrosion. So if a block or head has been blasted, expect it to look like crap very quickly! only way around it, temporarily, is to paint, either powder coat or Aluminax from Eastwood. So, when you send in your engine for rebuilding make sure the shop has a clue! Ain't no SBC we're dealing with.
     
  15. Fairview

    Fairview Formula 3

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    #15 Fairview, Dec 17, 2011
    Very glad to see this.. I recently stripped the black wrinkle paint from my 78 GTS covers and noticed the difference in the castings front to rear. I feared my engine was a "bitsa", but now I know better..
     
  16. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    #16 Nuvolari, Dec 17, 2011
    Glad I could help. I scratched my head on that one for a while too until I learned the differences. There is also a third rear cover option on dry sump cars with the difference being that they have no oil filler cap as the oil is added to the dry sump tank.
     
  17. Constance

    Constance Karting

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    #17 Constance, Dec 17, 2011
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  18. Constance

    Constance Karting

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    #18 Constance, Dec 17, 2011
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