Abrasive Blasting Heads???

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macedon, NY - USA

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Vette(s): 68 COUPE 454 HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP, BUCKET HEADLIGHTS. CAN-AM FRONT RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20, LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!

hi ,
i just tore down my engine, 454, and dissassembled the heads.
the heads have a lot of rust on them, on valve side and outside. (they were sitting in a barn for 8 years.)
my question is, can i abrasive blast them (black beauty) to get all the rust and exhaust deposit off them ? will it hurt anything ??
note that i will plug the valve guides before hand !!
or what do you recommend?
thanks in advance for all the help.
joe

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Abrasive Blasting Heads???

Posted: 4/12/07 10:05amMessage 2 of 8

Adams' Apple

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You can blast the heads with no problems, as long as you protect the valve seats. This is best done with the valves still in the heads, or at least a set of old valves. (Unless you are going to have a valve-job done, anyway, in which case it wouldn't matter)
Then, the heads need to be completely washed/cleaned of any remaining blast material.

Joel Adams
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Abrasive Blasting Heads???

Posted: 4/12/07 10:51amMessage 3 of 8

Standard Member

macedon, NY - USA

Joined: 7/20/2006

Posts: 367

Vette(s): 68 COUPE 454 HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP, BUCKET HEADLIGHTS. CAN-AM FRONT RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20, LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!

hey joel,

yes i do plan on having a valve job done.

i also believe i will replace the old valves. they were rusted also.

if the seats do get blasted, will the machine shop be able to clean it up?

or will the blast material pit it too much?

(its been over 30 yrs since i've had an engine apart ! so i am re-learning a lot !)

i do like the idea of putting the valves in to protect them.

thanks,

joe

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Abrasive Blasting Heads???

Posted: 4/12/07 6:19pmMessage 4 of 8

Adams' Apple

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Depends a lot on the blasting media used. Glass beads shouldn't hurt the seats, but sand probably will, to some extent. A valve job will involve grinding the seats, anyway, so it shouldn't be an issue, unless you just stay on the seats for too long with the blast nozzle.
I would probably do a little lite blasting around the seats, and then stick the valve back in the hole to do the combustion chambers, just to be safe.

Joel Adams
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Abrasive Blasting Heads???

Posted: 4/12/07 6:50pmMessage 5 of 8

Standard Member

macedon, NY - USA

Joined: 7/20/2006

Posts: 367

Vette(s): 68 COUPE 454 HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP, BUCKET HEADLIGHTS. CAN-AM FRONT RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20, LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!

joel,
yea ,good advice.
i'll do it with my old valves in place.
that way i don't need to worry about the inside of the guides also.
thanks again.
joe

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Abrasive Blasting Heads???

Posted: 4/13/07 2:58amMessage 6 of 8

tuxblacray

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Joe I see your back to working on that beast (nice car). I take it you got your job thing straightened out. Sure hope so!

Wishing you the best, Tux...

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Abrasive Blasting Heads???

Posted: 4/13/07 5:40amMessage 7 of 8

Standard Member

macedon, NY - USA

Joined: 7/20/2006

Posts: 367

Vette(s): 68 COUPE 454 HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP, BUCKET HEADLIGHTS. CAN-AM FRONT RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20, LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!

hey tux,

good to here from you.

still did not find a job yet. i'm doing everything right now that does not cost money !!!!

getting parts blasted and painted.

as you can see by the forum i'm about to do the heads.

i'm doing abrasive blasting on the side to help bring in some extra money.

might as well use my equipment that i bought.

this forum is great !

very helpful with info.

as you can see joel helped steer me in the right direction on what to do .

hope all is good with you.

do you have your baby on the road yet?

joe

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Abrasive Blasting Heads???

Posted: 4/13/07 10:00amMessage 8 of 8

tuxblacray

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