ZR1 #730, 1 of 19 in 1991 - Page 2 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Jim Jones · 08-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiceEatingZR1

Shaun -
How did you get the plenum so clean and shiny? I have a few stains on mine and the soap and water just aren't cutting it and I am afraid to use any chemicals on it for fear of making it worse!!

Thanks!

Jim

WB9MCW · 08-14-2005

FROM THE ZR-1 NET/REG. WEB SITE: MAINTAINENCE

LT5 Cleaning and Appearance
Some of you have found out the hard way that the LT5 engine is not "cleaning friendly." IN fact, we would more likely say that the LT5 is a real challenge in more ways than one. First of course, the LT5 cannot be rinsed down with water or the puddling within the intake valley will damage your starter resulting in a $600 repair bill. Secondly, the LT5's finish is not a very durable one to say the least. Although similar powder coat was used on all year models, you may have already noticed a change in the appearance of your LT5. This change can be caused by several factors including UV damage, improper use of cleaning solutions, and reactions to underhood chemicals including coolant, oils, and brake fluid. Cleaning of the LT5 should only be accomplished when absolutely necessary by using a damp towel and MILD soap solution such as dishwashing soap or Simple Green. Remember, the LT5 paint is readily damaged by harsh chemicals so the milder the better. In the event your engine's finish is already damaged or simply suffering the adverse effects of time, there are some remedies. There are some spray paints out there that can be applied but obviously are not very durable. The other choice is to have your competent technician carefully remove approximate labor charge of 8-10 hours) the visible components (cam covers, injectors housings, water outlets, plenum, throttle body and air horn) and have them re-powder coated by an experienced powder coater.

CAUTION. Improper application of the powder coat can result in terminal damage of your LT5 parts. Some of these are very expensive. Cam Covers, for instance, come only when attached to the $5,000 cylinder head. There are also a variety of types of powder coat with some being more suitable for engine compartment use. Be sure you use a facility very familiar with this type of work.

Aurora40 · 08-14-2005

I always thought it odd that write-up mentions gentle soap and Simple Green. There is nothing gentle about Simple Green. The bottle used to peel the paint off my garage shelving before I moved it to a better storage area.

The engine in that picture looks repainted, though.

RiceEatingZR1 · 08-15-2005

I had the engine Refinished by Marc Haibeck

Jim Jones · 08-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiceEatingZR1

I had the engine Refinished by Marc Haibeck

Well he did a great job! It looks like new!!

WB9MCW · 08-19-2005

he sure does do a nice job looks brand new!!!

RiceEatingZR1 · 08-19-2005

He does GREAT WORK! here is a Picture of what it looked up before he refinished it!

Nick · 08-19-2005

Powder coating is the only way to go.

08-14-2005	#12
WB9MCW Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: McHenry, Il. Posts: 6,607	LT5 CLEANING FROM THE ZR-1 NET/REG. WEB SITE: MAINTAINENCE LT5 Cleaning and Appearance Some of you have found out the hard way that the LT5 engine is not "cleaning friendly." IN fact, we would more likely say that the LT5 is a real challenge in more ways than one. First of course, the LT5 cannot be rinsed down with water or the puddling within the intake valley will damage your starter resulting in a $600 repair bill. Secondly, the LT5's finish is not a very durable one to say the least. Although similar powder coat was used on all year models, you may have already noticed a change in the appearance of your LT5. This change can be caused by several factors including UV damage, improper use of cleaning solutions, and reactions to underhood chemicals including coolant, oils, and brake fluid. Cleaning of the LT5 should only be accomplished when absolutely necessary by using a damp towel and MILD soap solution such as dishwashing soap or Simple Green. Remember, the LT5 paint is readily damaged by harsh chemicals so the milder the better. In the event your engine's finish is already damaged or simply suffering the adverse effects of time, there are some remedies. There are some spray paints out there that can be applied but obviously are not very durable. The other choice is to have your competent technician carefully remove approximate labor charge of 8-10 hours) the visible components (cam covers, injectors housings, water outlets, plenum, throttle body and air horn) and have them re-powder coated by an experienced powder coater. CAUTION. Improper application of the powder coat can result in terminal damage of your LT5 parts. Some of these are very expensive. Cam Covers, for instance, come only when attached to the $5,000 cylinder head. There are also a variety of types of powder coat with some being more suitable for engine compartment use. Be sure you use a facility very familiar with this type of work. __________________ http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...9mcw/SIG-2.jpg http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/wb9mcw/vcm.gif "The Budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome will become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero, 55 BC " We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution." - Abraham Lincoln

08-14-2005	#13
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,713	I always thought it odd that write-up mentions gentle soap and Simple Green. There is nothing gentle about Simple Green. The bottle used to peel the paint off my garage shelving before I moved it to a better storage area. The engine in that picture looks repainted, though. __________________ Bob Saveland Former owner of #2517 [IMG]http://a.random-image.net/aurora40/vette.jpg[/img]

08-15-2005	#14
RiceEatingZR1 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 309	I had the engine Refinished by Marc Haibeck __________________ -Shaun 1991 Charcoal Metallic ZR1 #730 [URL="http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2649606"]http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2649606[/URL] [URL="http://community.webshots.com/user/shaun91zr1"][/URL] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/RiceEatingZR1/Forum%20Sig/Sig1.gif[/IMG]

08-19-2005	#16
WB9MCW Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: McHenry, Il. Posts: 6,607	gud as new he sure does do a nice job looks brand new!!! __________________ http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...9mcw/SIG-2.jpg http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/wb9mcw/vcm.gif "The Budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome will become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero, 55 BC " We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution." - Abraham Lincoln

08-19-2005	#17
RiceEatingZR1 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 309	He does GREAT WORK! here is a Picture of what it looked up before he refinished it! __________________ -Shaun 1991 Charcoal Metallic ZR1 #730 [URL="http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2649606"]http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2649606[/URL] [URL="http://community.webshots.com/user/shaun91zr1"][/URL] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/RiceEatingZR1/Forum%20Sig/Sig1.gif[/IMG]

08-19-2005	#18
Nick Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 586	Powder coating is the only way to go. __________________ Nick ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #32 - lapsed...