|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
02-24-2024, 10:47 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 71
|
Polishing Aluminum Heads
I have a 59A engine with Canadian Aluminum heads. I am considering polishing the heads and was wondering if there was any reason for not doing this? Your replies would be appreciated.
|
02-24-2024, 11:06 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,950
|
Re: Polishing Aluminum Heads
A Fordbarn search reveals lots of opinions.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/searc...rchid=37260964 I've had polished aluminum heads on my flatty since 1999. No problems. I use DEXCOOL. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Prestone...kH30t3hIwMDVg0 Corrosion caused by electrolysis of the head surface from the dissimilar metals (copper gaskets and aluminum heads) can be a problem if you don't maintain the Ph of your antifreeze at the correct level. You can also use the traditional ethylene glycol BUT, don't mix it with any other antifreeze. I also add this product and check the antifreeze with a voltmeter every 6 months. https://norosion.com/norosioncoolant.htm and https://www.bing.com/videos/rivervie...CA1&ajaxhist=0 Like I said, don't mix different antifreezes together. This can cause major, major problems. I have seen coolant turn to jello inside radiator, heads and block due to mixing of different coolants. That's fatal to your cooling system. https://www.bing.com/search?q=can+yo...ANAB01&PC=HCTS I also hang an anode inside the radiator from the radiator cap. You can also use a zinc anode that screws into the head. https://www.bing.com/search?q=radiat...ANAB01&PC=HCTS and still more info. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...adiator+anodes Hope this helps. Last edited by 19Fordy; 02-24-2024 at 11:39 AM. |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
02-24-2024, 11:26 AM | #3 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 8,151
|
Re: Polishing Aluminum Heads
Quote:
__________________
The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... "Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!" "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 |
|
02-24-2024, 12:50 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,181
|
Re: Polishing Aluminum Heads
Timely thread. With your Canadian heads, it should be a fairly straight forward process. I'm in the process of doing the sides and tops of the fins on a set of new Edelbrocks.
3m has an incredible product called Trizact. Comes in 3" or 6" discs. It's very forgiving and will not dig into the surface. Great for a first timer. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/trizact-us/ I would also recommend using felt pads in the 3" variety and 6" felt flapper wheels as well. You can do it right on your work bench. I did a car club plaque and went up to 5000 grit Trizact and got it to a mirror polish. |
02-24-2024, 01:04 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,950
|
Re: Polishing Aluminum Heads
Wow Tim, that Trizact looks to be the ultimate finishing product. Never knew there was 8000 grit.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/collisio...ducts/trizact/ |
02-24-2024, 02:18 PM | #6 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,181
|
Re: Polishing Aluminum Heads
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
Last edited by Tim Ayers; 02-24-2024 at 02:32 PM. |
|
02-24-2024, 04:04 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 691
|
Re: Polishing Aluminum Heads
Just keep in mind that once you polish them you'll never get that factory finish back.
__________________
Mike Wanted: - '32-34 Open Cab Pickup (RPU) parts and documents/articles/info - ARDUN parts |
02-25-2024, 05:55 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: middle of Iowa
Posts: 647
|
Re: Polishing Aluminum Heads
If you sand all the lettering off people might mistake them for the Weiands.
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|