Polishing Aluminum Cam covers

[cass3958]

So five years ago I polished my cam covers to a high standard and then sprayed them with a high temp lacquer which kept them shiney for a time but the Lacquer started to turn yellow around the edges so I scrapped it all off and left them bare but polished.

During the winter the aluminum tends to fur up due to the moisture in the air and destroys the fine flat finish required to give them a good shine. I do keep on top of them with Autosol chrome polish but over the last five years they have deteriorated slightly. It is very difficult to polish both cam covers with the air filter in the way and even if you remove the housing the bonnet restricts you to getting to the back. As I have the cam covers off at the moment to do the Stakedown kit I thought I would re polish them.

Starting with 250 grit wet and dry moving on through 400, 800, 1200 and finally 1500 grit to get a smooth finish. I then have a buffing mop which I can attach to my bench grinder and with this and some polishing block I can get them to a really fine shine.

Problem is I know they are going to deteriorate again over the next couple of years so does anyone know of a tried and tested coating you can put on the polished Aluminium at home to stop it from furring up and losing its shine or am I destined to remove and polish them every other year?

[Orlando St.R]

I bought some of this White Diamond Metal Polish and Sealant, because it claimed to be a sealant as well as a polish.

white diamond metal polish.jpg (88.92 KiB) Viewed 1937 times

You can buy it on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/White-Diamond- ... B00MN9RKG8

It does leave a residue, which I take to be the sealant element, but I have only recently applied it to my cam covers and other aluminium engine parts and haven't had the chance to see how it does over time. My integral garage is thankfully bone dry, so I tend not to get the oxidation you mention.

[Glyn Ruck]

My first restorer used to do all polishing of cam covers, carb parts etc with newspaper, Autosol & elbow grease & advise all his customers to continue doing that. Now me! I'm always looking for a short cut that reduces effort.

I have wondered how these new ceramic products would work to protect aluminium? They claim to do a good job.


https://carpro.uk.com/products/cquartzu ... 6722425031

CARPRO_CQUK_Set_f574bdfe-325c-44d4-997a-2c2dde46ed86.png (461.15 KiB) Viewed 1933 times

[DevilDog]

OK....I give up. What is a Stakedown kit? Clearly showing my ignorance unless it is a British thing for making tea.

[NigelW]

This is a stakedown kit or one of the plates that secures the cam bucket guides from lifting and wacking the cams.

[DevilDog]

Thanks Nigel for clearing that up....I feel better. Have a great day.

[cass3958]

Both products are interesting and a lot cheaper on Ebay.
I have ordered some Diamond white to see how that fairs and because it is Vanilla scented. Mmmm!
I might also order some of the CQuarts for the paint work.

[cass3958]

OK....I give up. What is a Stakedown kit? Clearly showing my ignorance unless it is a British thing for making tea.

Once I have finished my installation I will do a write up of it for you Joe with photos.

Basically the steel cam buckets and shims sits in a steel sleeve but the steel sleeve sits in a hole in the Aluminium head which is a press fit. As the Aluminium head is softer then the steel, over time, with the head heating and cooling the Cam bucket sleeve can move up and down in its Aluminium hole connecting with the cam lobe. It happens more frequently on the exhaust side due to the extra heat and is recognised by a ticking noise which if left becomes a knocking noise. The Stake down kit is as seen in Nigels photo a set of six metal plates, three each side holding down two cam bucket sleeves each. No more movement of the sleeve so no more noise. Easy to install once you get over the trepidation of drilling 12 holes in your Aluminium head which have to be tapped for the securing screws to be fitted. It is a common fault on old XK engines.

[DevilDog]

Great explanation....look forward to seeing your photos. I guess I will have to consider such a modification.

[Orlando St.R]

Rob/Nigel

Did you actually experience the cam bucket sleeve hitting the cam or are/were your installations precautionary? I read that the 4.2 engine is more prone to the issue than the 3.8.