gemellocattivo.com

It does my heart good to see you on solutions again. Very cool.

BTW - I don't know if it was on this thread or over on GRM, but I remember you mentioning concern about powder coating forged wheels (way back when you had those wheels made), as the powder baking temp can be pretty close to the annealing temp for aluminum. As it turns out, my powder coating guy runs his PC shop as a side gig, and his day job is as a mechanical engineer. Last night I was picking up some parts from him and (finally) took the time to ask him about this. He explained that a crystalline transformation like annealing doesn't just require temperature, it requires time. While the temperature for powder coating may be close to a temp that can anneal forged Al, the PC process has the part at those temps for only about 10 mins, while for annealing the time required would be 6+ hours. He said that in cases where there's any doubt, he refers to a "TTT curve" (Time, Temperature, Transformation) for the material to make sure that he stays away from the conditions that can weaken the part.

He also said that forged Al is relatively easy - the margin is not especially small, and the lighter forged wheels heat up and cool down faster than heavier cast wheels. He said that magnesium is way more stressful both because the margin is much narrower, and the risk of stuff actually starting on fire.

I know this isn't even close to a current topic now, but since you're the one who made me curious, I thought you'd like to know what he had to say about it.

We are drifting off current topic but I'm just starting a set of wheels for a guy. Everything you said it right as far as I know BUT the time is cumulative and its a FULL annealing at x temp takes y time deal so as the temperature rises, the gains begin to change. The areas with the highest residual stresses change 1st, that is the whole way tempering steel works. So yeah, you can PC wheels, but you need to be very mindful of the heat cycle you're using and the heat history....or you can just paint them and not worry which is why its the OEM solution The last tire place I used damaged the paint on my wheel though.....so I understand wanting PC

I do so love a challenge

Well...not *quite* as bad as in 2019...I guess. I must say you seem to have the patience of a saint.

Yeah, not as bad as last time, small wins.

Friday I sent the spare piston for coating and ordered a set of head gaskets figuring they are probably the longest lead item.

Saturday I finished tearing the heads down Saturday and gave then a good clean...I'm still finding the kseal crap.



Today I was cleaning up oil on the floor and had to move the cam covers which reminded me I had epoxied a leak on one so I took care of that properly






The removed the epoxy from the oil return that was leaking....quite a hole

but sorted now.



I gave the other one a good look and found or created another bigger hole which I fixed.


The the combustion chamber....a couple bits of seat were really deep


warm it up


and its welded and ready to machine.


I need to look up what I did with the seats last time and figure out what to order. I also need to look at my small tig torches and see what condition they are in and what I need to be able to get into the ports to seal the oil leaks there....the heads will keep me busy for 2 or 3 more weeks I suppose.

I've been following your journey for years now so I've known this for some time but for some reason, seeing the result of your repairs prompted me to say:

You are an artist! Those "simple" fixes are invisible. But saying that doesn't give you credit for the artistry of your entire build! It's really amazing stuff!

I just had to say that!

Every time this engine gets a bit more welding rod, an angel gets its wings.

That is funny sh@t right there.

_________________
Wade Williams
Master Ferrari Tech
Restoration Tech
Engine Machinist
Fabricator
Racecar Driver

Thanks. I started with those as a warm up to the chamber repair which is more scary to do.

I've been kind of lazy the past few days....did nothing monday other than order valve seats which are coming Tuesday. Last night I thought about setting up the mill to to cut the seat pockets....then got looking at the intake ports and decided to try leak testing using alcohol then carb cleaner in the cam galley but saw no leaks so eight there are no leaks or the test method is bad and that is as far as I got, no wait I pulled out my smaller but I think broken tig torches to see how I might replace the epoxy with weld. It looks like the 24W torch is what I need and its all kinds of broken but I found a replacement head (I think, it I read right) for $20 so I ordered it.

Hopefully more productive today....plus I have a set wheels to do for a guy, different from past stuff so will take some time to figure out but will help a little with the repair budget so important to get done.

You okay? Haven't seen anything lately. Just checking in.

_________________
Wade Williams
Master Ferrari Tech
Restoration Tech
Engine Machinist
Fabricator
Racecar Driver