Vintage Pontiac Engine Compartment Makeover - Rattle-Can Roll-Call - Pontiac Tech

Conclusion
"Originally, the assembly line workers had the benefit of working with each part individually, but with the proper coatings and attention to detail, the same look can be had even if you leave the engine where it belongs," says Eastwood. We found that to be true with this story. Though this engine compartment was detailed to the taste of its owner and not to please a concours judge, the overall effect is a clean, stock appearance that should impress cruise-night spectators and show-goers alike.

Eastwood now makes the correct Pontiac engine paint under PN 10022 Z, available in quarts.

The components were painted,...        read full caption The components were painted, allowed to dry overnight, and reinstalled. The main generator body was shot with Satin Radiator Black and the end caps with Alumablast.	The fan is Radiator Satin...        read full caption The fan is Radiator Satin Black, and the fan pulley was sprayed with Detail Gray. This belt is incorrect because we were waiting for the correct one to be delivered when this photo was taken.	The oil breathers received...        read full caption The oil breathers received Radiator Gloss Black and new decals.
The carburetors are best restored...        read full caption The carburetors are best restored off the engine. After removing the linkages, Steve separated the baseplates from the bodies. He began with scuff pads and progressed to stainless steel brushes. PRE removed any remaining residue, and Steve applied two light coats of Carb Renew to restore the color while keeping the finish translucent. After soaking the baseplates in carb cleaner and drying them, he sprayed them with Spray Gray. (Note, the air breathers are chrome replacements for the original "bathtub" Tri-Power air cleaner.)	Exhaust manifolds can be difficult...        read full caption Exhaust manifolds can be difficult to paint. Steve recommends that you remove them from the heads, send them to a professional paint shop for beadblasting-or you can use elbow grease and wire brushes-then paint them with a brush using Eastwood's Factory Gray Exhaust Detailing Kit. (The ACCEL wires shown here mimic the 7mm factory wires in look but come in 8 mm for better performance.)	Our power booster was already...        read full caption Our power booster was already cadmium-plated and in good shape. Had it not been, we could have used Eastwood's Gold Cad system (Part No. 10349Z) to somewhat mimic the look of plating. The master cylinder was sprayed with Spray Gray for a cast-iron appearance. Steve used the Silver Cad on the brake lines.
"Here's a trick the professionals...        read full caption "Here's a trick the professionals use," Steve says."Rinse your hinges with brake cleaner to remove any residue, let them dry, and they're ready to prep and paint. Use Clear Zinc for the hinges and Radiator Gloss Black for the springs."	With the paint dry, Steve...        read full caption With the paint dry, Steve reassembled the remaining engine components and added reproduction radiator hoses, clamps, and cap; spring ring battery cables; decals from California Pontiac Restoration; and a 558-DC12 reproduction battery from Restoration Battery. He shot the wiper gearbox and fuel pump with Alumablast, and used Detail Gray on the wire looms, with Radiator Gloss Black on their tips.	Steve applied Silver Cad to...        read full caption Steve applied Silver Cad to the coil bracket and all linkage brackets. He used Clear Zinc on the fuel lines, trans cooling lines, and the heater hose tube, and shot Detail Gray on the oil-filter housing adapter.