Vapor honing, vapor blasting engine case porn

[MotoSook]

Figure you guys might enjoy this. I have a crusty 3.0 case that’s gonna get built for my backdate project. I finally found a shop local to me that got a machine and wow! This is going to be a new addiction with more and more parts getting blasted for the project.

[mepstein]

It’s great to have a machine at the shop. Makes parts look like new.

[MotoSook]

That’s the same machine. Nice.

[Lyle O]

Magnificent! So, what is the process/media? Soda?

[Dpmulvan]

Glass bead and water

[MotoSook]

Originally Posted by Lyle O

Magnificent! So, what is the process/media? Soda?

It’s a combination of water, media and air. Gentle to the metal surface and leaves a micro shotpeened like surface. Much better than the original surface.

[MotoSook]

Don’t know if this video will post right but her it is in action.

https://instagram.com/p/BfoQjYpDOwt/

[mepstein]

Originally Posted by MotoSook

It’s a combination of water, media and air. Gentle to the metal surface and leaves a micro shotpeened like surface. Much better than the original surface.

All my parts that I did a year ago still look like the pics. Dirt and grease just wipe off.

[Tippy]

I've been super apprehensive in using vapor blast for engine parts as the media is fine glass. It's big in the motorcycle world, but their engines are much cheaper and easier to repair than ours.

The results are phenomenal, though.

[john walker's workshop]

What's the media?

[MotoSook]

Originally Posted by mepstein

All my parts that I did a year ago still look like the pics. Dirt and grease just wipe off.

Music to my ears (eyes)! I was wondering how well the finish would hold up. Glad to hear it.

[MotoSook]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

What's the media?

I believe it is very fine glass beads, John. The operator can choose different grades.

The shop I used, Fluid Motor Union, is in the Chicago burbs, but there is one near you. Vapor Hone I think is the name of the place.

[MotoSook]

Originally Posted by Tippy

I've been super apprehensive in using vapor blast for engine parts as the media is fine glass. It's big in the motorcycle world, but their engines are much cheaper and easier to repair than ours.

The results are phenomenal, though.

I was also concerned about the mating surfaces. Although my case has been split I intentionally had it blasted with the halves bolted together. After watching them do it and seeing the surfaces it’s not a concern. The blasting is relatively low pressure and low temperature. Because the surface ends up more “polished” than original I think it would seal better. All our sealing surfaces use paper, soft metal and or Loctite anyhow.

I may take the case back and have them do the case half mating surface.

[75 911s]

Originally Posted by MotoSook

I was also concerned about the mating surfaces. Although my case has been split I intentionally had it blasted with the halves bolted together. After watching them do it and seeing the surfaces it’s not a concern. The blasting is relatively low pressure and low temperature. Because the surface ends up more “polished” than original I think it would seal better. All our sealing surfaces use paper, soft metal and or Loctite anyhow.

I may take the case back and have them do the case half mating surface.

What about the inside of the case?

[john walker's workshop]

Not going to use glass bead on anything that can get inside the engine, period.

[proporsche]

I do not understand ? you do all this on engine case and still have on it broken studs??
I am never in favor on any blasting on engine parts..it bit me in an ass a long time ago so for now no blasting what ever it is called nowadays..it will create more problems then you think...
i`d rather have original, hand cleaned engine i can trust is clean inside then this ..sorry dude...
Ivan

[MotoSook]

Obviously this is a cleaning. No one in their right mind would reassemble an engine without taking additional measures to prep the case. The head studs are going to be replaced, but I left them there so the case would have additional protection in the blast cabinet.

All the ports and holes will be cleaned. I left parts on the engine to minimize material getting into the parts I will clean later. All the piston squirters will be addressed.

This is not my first rebuild.

[proporsche]

ok that sounds better..still not in favor if this cleaning;-)
Ivan

[MotoSook]

The blasting doesn’t erode the machined surface. You can still see the mill marks from the originally milling after casting. With proper care this isn’t something to be afraid of. I’ve seen guys do more harm to an engine hand cleaning it and are so careless when assembling it that I’d worry more about that.

[MotoSook]

Here’s a shot of the case breather surface.