TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Jun 27, 2004 3:34 pm

Haven't seen this come up, and have heard various opinions in the past.

Is there a paint that would help the engine run cooler? I've heard paint the engine block black, I've heard paint it white, I've heard never, ever paint your block, that it insulates and the engine will run hotter.

What's the general consensus on this?

Oh, and I'm going to need new cam followers. Are there types I should stay away from? Particularly groovy ones? Stock still the best?

thanks,
neal

Sun Jun 27, 2004 6:54 pm

Paint or no paint, it won't make a difference. The engine case itself is not part of the cooling system. The fins on the bottom of the case don't do a whole lot.

Best bet on lifters, is have them reground and parkerized by SLR.

Sun Jun 27, 2004 8:21 pm

If you do paint the case, however, paint it black, as black paint is the most efficient cooling. Don't know why, but I used to work with a very wise man who told me that fact.

Sun Jun 27, 2004 8:32 pm

If painting the case would help... the factory would of done it.

I've never, ever would paint a case.

Sun Jun 27, 2004 9:59 pm

Not familiar with SLR, or parkerizing. The old ones are dished, with a deeper side once it quit spinning. They seemed beyond salvageable.

SLR a company that regrinds and parkerizes used lifters?

neal

Mon Jun 28, 2004 9:01 am

ruckman101 wrote: Not familiar with SLR, or parkerizing. The old ones are dished, with a deeper side once it quit spinning. They seemed beyond salvageable.

SLR a company that regrinds and parkerizes used lifters?

neal

Yup SLR regrinds new and used lifters. I don't have the number here at work but I'm sure someone here does.

Mike
59 single, 69 bus, 73 super

Mon Jun 28, 2004 5:10 pm

It really makes a difference what cam you are using when it comes to the lifters. Stock cam-stock reground and hardened lifters. The new stock vw lifters no longer work with aftermarket cams. hooker

Wed Jun 30, 2004 12:54 am

Ive built many engines that were painted and never had any noticable effects on cooling. I personally would never put reground lifters in my engine.

Wed Jun 30, 2004 8:03 am

SixT7VDub wrote: I personally would never put reground lifters in my engine.

You need to check out SLR then. We haven't had any lifters fail that have been reground by SLR, but out of the box lifters of various brands have failed on us numerous times. SLR is the schiznit!

Wed Jun 30, 2004 6:16 pm

As I recall, it's a stock cam, but the gear is majorly chewed, so a replacement will be due. I think it will stay stock, or very mild cam still thinking about it. 85 mm p/c. Regrounds must be less expensive. They'd have to grind alot off these lifters.

neal

Thu Jul 01, 2004 12:26 pm

the Article was in Hot Vw mag, moons ago, by power coating certin engine parts Black, it actually ran a very little, cooler.
valvecovers
fan housing
cylinder tin
etc,
the block if you paint it, paint it black.

black release heat faster than other colors, like if you put on a black t-shirt and stand in the sun vs a white t-shirt? somehow the color black releases heat faster, especially faster than Chrome plated parts. ?

Thu Jul 01, 2004 7:13 pm

There was quite a lengthy thread on this on shoptalk some months back, I think general consensus was if you were gonna paint it - paint it matt black.

The ultimate has to be black anodising (like a large majority of motorbike engines).

As for why VW never painted the blocks - same reason most manufacturers don't - it works fine without it and it saves a shedload of cash.