Refinishing Engine Hardware - Alternatives to Yellow Zinc
 

I have been searching the forum but haven't had a lot of luck answering my own question. I am in the middle of a top end rebuild, contemplating just going all the way to the crank, but I want to know what my options are for refinishing hardware. All of the heads of my case through bolts are pretty rusty, in fact most of the hardware on my engine has lost its plating. I would like to refinish these items. I know yellow zinc is an option, but I have talked to two platers so far, neither of whom has a process that controls for hydrogen embrittlement. Are there other options I can search for that aren't as complicated as yellow zinc / cad, which would provide corrosion protection and also peace of mind that the hardware was not weakened by the process? Nickel plating? Anything else that I should consider? I'm not dead-set on having gold hardware, as pretty as it is. I just don't want to buy new hardware, I don't want to put back on rusty hardware, and I don't want to be up at night wondering about hydrogen embrittlement. Thanks as always...

I pondered this during my nearly complete top end too and ended up with new hardware from McMaster in various grades of stainless. A few packs of M6/M8 and M6/M8 locknuts will handle most of the non unique fasteners. The ones that are exposed to oil don't need replacement or refinishing in my opinion. What sorts of quotes did you get for batch replating? I'd be surprised if it were cheaper than buying new hardware at this volume - excepting the really expensive specialty items.

I brought a box of fasteners to my plater and I think it was $40 for the platting and an extra $30 to bake it for a couple hours. This included case through bolts, tins, pulley's, etc. Seemed a lot cheaper than buying new.

I also sprung for the $200 kit from our host that has all the engine tin fasteners, barrel nuts, shroud bolts, etc.

The entire thing looks too nice to be hidden back underneath the lid, but it's going there anyway :D

Todd

Anyone ever heard of "mechanical plating?" Apparently they tumble your hardware with glass bead, not sure entirely of the process, however it avoids the issues of hydrogen embrittlement since there is no hydrochloric acid dip nor electrolysis since the coating is forced mechanically into or onto the base metal. Got a minimum quote today of $240 for anything from 1 lbs to 50 lbs... I may look into it further. If I go through with it I will get back to you and let you all know how it worked.

Using Google provides an answer:
Mechanical plating - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Another process to consider. However, that min. quote seems a little pricey. That price might cover a normal batch of zinc/cad plating plus the post bake to mitigate hydrogen embrittlement.

Sherwood