Hi,

I have a cast iron intake manifold and I wanted some contrast from the engine paint. I'm painting the block Ford red so I was thinking of powder coating the intake manifold a color similar to cast aluminum (mat finish). I heard there are some good paint products that will produce a similar effect. Interested in some photos if anyone can post them if not please share your experiences.

Thanks

Mario

Powder coating aluminum intakes works well so I don’t see why it wouldn’t also work for the iron intakes.  Just don’t get any powder coating on the inside of the manifold.  It would be recommended to block the heat riser passage at the intake gasket though to keep from burning the powder coating on the intake manifold at the crossover passage.

 

As an alternative, I’ve had an iron intake ceramic coated in silver for my 272 over 21 years ago and it still looks good even at the still open heated crossover.  Ceramic coatings are used on headers so I wasn’t worried with doing that on an intake.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I powder coated my Blue Thunder manifold with Caswell X-treme chrome. Its at Teds now. I think it looks pretty darn good. Not exactly chrome but will look like it under the hood. A lot cheaper too. I'll try to post a picture later if I can find it. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

This is a Wisconsin 56 powder coated intake, pretty smooth to be cast, unless it's been polished, but the owner had it done two years ago. gary

       

Gary, 55 Vicky, St. Germain, Wisconsin

 

Eastwood makes decent, inexpensive powder coating systems.  Use one to powder coat intakes regularly.  We call it "five foot chrome" from eastwood.  If you prep and smooth the manifold first, it can look really good.  Also, parts that have been around fuel and oil for a long time in addition to being cleaned really well, also benefit from heating the part in the oven at 450*F for a half hour or so.  Eastwood refers to it as "degassing" and it will keep any little bubbles from messing up your finish as the part bakes.

Speedbump, I use the dual voltage Eastwood rig for my home shop. Can't complain about it. The biggest thing I've done is the radiator panel for my 56 Victoria. Had to build an extension to my oven and sort of cure one end at a time. I would suggest you take a look at the Caswell Xtreme Chrome I think its much better than the Eastwood. I have yet to clear over any of the chrome coatings I've done but they say it greatly increases the life span. Dulls the chrome look some though. The front cover below was done without any pre polishing. Chuck in NH 

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Hi All,

 Thanks for all the good information.

Mario