MFI Velocity Stack refinish Q

[mhackney]

I just dropped off my throttle bodies and stacks at Eurometrix and Matt will get the stacks back to me later this week after putting new bushings for the throttle crossbar in them. I am having the clamps zinc plated. The upper steel part of the stacks is ok but I would like to finish them up and there is rust on the clamp mounts. Any recommendations? Is it as simple as stripping and respraying?

You can see the part I am talking about in this photo. It is the glossy black part with the Glad wrap on it.



This photo was taken when I had the engine out a few years ago. It was a major pain in the $%^^ to get to the nuts holding the throttle bodies. Anyone have any suggestions/ideas when I put the rebuilt ones back in?

cheers,
Michael

[Zeke]

I powder coated some and told the guy I wanted VW sheet metal semi black. He knew exactly what that was. Given the stand off and raw gas that is present enough of the time. powder coating makes sense.

Yes the back left nut can be a bit of a task. I don't have every tool made and I'm not afraid to bend up a wrench with heat it I have to. IRC, I made it work with long extensions using 1/4" and wobble drive.

[SP2]

Michael,

How much does it cost to do the throttle bodies and stacks?

[304065]

check matt's website at www.eurometrix.ws

First of all, get yourself some M8x1.25 nuts that are SW 12 that is 12mm across the flats-- these are a better fit on the throttle bodies.

Next, you need a swivel socket, which is like a universal joint except instead of a square drive there'e a six-point socket feature.

Don't forget to use the correct wave washers on the stacks and have a telescoping magnet handy so WHEN (not IF) you drop hardware down into the engine you can retrieve it. Be extra careful on the two cylinders where the intake valve is open

[304065]

check matt's website at www.eurometrix.ws

First of all, get yourself some M8x1.25 nuts that are SW 12 that is 12mm across the flats-- these are a better fit on the throttle bodies.

Next, you need a swivel socket, which is like a universal joint except instead of a square drive there'e a six-point socket feature.

Don't forget to use the correct wave washers on the stacks and have a telescoping magnet handy so WHEN (not IF) you drop hardware down into the engine you can retrieve it. Be extra careful on the two cylinders where the intake valve is open

[mhackney]

Thanks guys. Does the top section come off the stacks? I don't remember seeing any nuts/bolts, I thought they were riveted.

John, my throttles were held with 12mm across the flats nuts - is that what you are referring to? What was originally used. I will see if I can find a swivel socket. I also had an idea to grind down a 1/4" 12mm socket by about 5 mm to get enough clearance. The problem I had was the socket bound up after less than a revolution.

SP2, check Matt's web site or give him a call. I live about 3 miles away and know Matt so it is easy for me! He did the Solexes in my 62 Roadster and they turned out fantastic. He does excellent work.

cheers,
Michael

[304065]

Oh, I see. Yes, the cans come off the stacks. There are some very small nuts, like M4 or M5 that hold them on. These can be stripped and powder coated or painted. Be very careful of the rubber seal for the airbox-- this must be removed before stripping or painting and it's NLA, so don't inadvertently slice it-- pull it out carefully.

What was original, 999 084 601 02, locking nut, NLA-- I don't actually know, but the "locking" was either a DIN 985 nylock or an all-metal lock nut (like a zinc plated version of a copper lock nut)

[Henry Schmidt]

If you're asking how to refinish the air filter bases, we send them out for powder coating. We generally have them finished in satin black, the same as the sheet metal and air filter housing.
The velocity stacks get plated with electroless nickel.

[mhackney]

Thanks Henry. That was the original question! I suppose I need to get them bead blasted first. I had my sheet metal powder coated a few years ago (you can see the result in the photo above). The results were great but the turn around time was really long since the coater does not do bead blasting and it was difficult finding a shop to do a small blasting job.

cheers,
Michael

[Henry Schmidt]

Most top quality powder coating companies do their own blasting in house. By doing so they can control both the consistency of the blasting media and the speed at which the product moves through their facility.
We use Olympic Powder Coating in Santa Ana Ca.
714-979-2720 Mark is the owner and oversees the operation to insure the finest in finishes. Start to finish is generally one week. The only time it's seems to drag on (2 weeks at most) is if Mark decides the finish is unacceptable and they start the process over.

[mhackney]

Any tricks to getting the old gaskets off the cylinder heads without dropping gasket pieces in to the opening?

cheers,
Michael

[Henry Schmidt]

Pack the port with wads of cloth. Any material that falls in can be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner. Then simple remove the cloth.

[mhackney]

Super, thanks Henry.

Cheers,
Michael