Topic: '65-'66 6cyl Carb spacer Plating...???

[NEFaurora]

Subject: '65-'66 6cyl Carb spacer Plating...

My original '66 6cyl carb spacer has lost its gusto and the original plating is totally gone, though the part is fully crisp and otherwise mint.

The original plating was (appeared to be) a kind of a dull vacuum plated metalized aluminum, The metal underneath is now a Dark Gray which looks like crap.

Would like to get it replated correctly.

Question is, What kind of plating is this on the carb original 6cyl carb spacer?  I would like to get it replated correctly, and it obviously have to be impervious to fuel.  So what is it, Who does it, and how much will it cost me?  I would like to get this done soon.  The spacer has been fully stripped already of its original finish, so its ready to go.

Help.

I am sure Jeff or Charles has the answer to this one.  I just need to know where to send this thing for the correct finish to be redone..

Much appeciated.

Tony K.

[C5ZZ]

Don't believe they were ever plated.
Use to work at a Ford dealer in the parts dept,
the ones I have seen looked to be just cast
aluminum finish.

[jwc66k]

Aluminum does corrode but when it does it forms an aluminum oxide barrier which stops further corrosion. Aluminum oxide is a light gray in tone but it can be buffed. I don't know what you did to get the dark gray but it's not normal (chemical dip, wire wheel?). If you bead blast the spacer it should turn a light gray which is the natural look. As the spacer is in an area with gas or gas fumes present, painting the surface could be a waste of time.
Jim

[NEFaurora]

No way, This thing was definately plated. For sure.  I have another old one for a side by side comparison.. Believ it or not, I think that I can actually get some before and after pics up of this one..  You could buff this thing until the cows come home, and it would still be the Dark gray metal that was underneath the original plated finish.

I had Easy Off'd it a long while back to clean it, and the plated finish literately collected and came off..  I was shocked that it was actually a plated part.  It fooled the hell out of me..  It looks like it was a Cast iron part that had actally been plated aluminum...if you can believe it.

Tony K.

[NEFaurora]

- Yeah - Cast Aluminum finish - That's what it is..... Now where to get it done...Paint will not work here....neither will buffing...

[NEFaurora]

No help? No ideas?  lol.....

[ChrisV289]

Not too familiar with the  6cy setup but on v8's the spacer was on the motor when it was painted.  So wouldn't the spacer be painted blue technically? 

[sparky65]

I'm with Jim on this one.  Quite sure it was just bare cast aluminum.  No plating.

[carlite65]

my vote is also bare cast.

[buckeyeresto]

media blast with ultra fine glass beads and then aluminum prep done that before or just try aluminum prep and see what happens with steel wheel

[NEFaurora]

The piece looks like cast iron, then covered with an Aluminized plating.   Do not think that is aluminum at all. I will try an get some pics up here this weekend..

I guess noone knows who does aluminized plating..

Tony K.

[Murf]

Tony, never paid any attention to the part you are asking about, but many alloy parts of that era were run through a tumbler/ de-burring machine before being shipped to Ford from a supplier and some or many depending upon the media had a very polished, almost plated look to them.  That surface degenerates over the years and any attempt to "restore" it produce poor results, essentially ruining the part in question.  Just wondering if that casting could have had a polished or plated look due to this process.  Again, I have never looked in detail at this part but just presenting this suggestion out for your consideration.

[NEFaurora]

No, It was definately plated Murf... Will get some pics up to show..

Tony K.

[buckeyeresto]

just try some aluminum prep ones i have all seen are cast aluminum