Quicky,
I have a MOWOG rocker cover which seems to be made of stainless steel. Currently it is painted but the chipping of the pain reveals that is was not previously etch with a primer.

Question 1: can I just use plain paint stripper to get the old paint off? once I have done that is it necessary to use metal etch primer before using engine enamel? or should I not bother with the etch and just spray the enamel?

Question 2: what gasket sealing compound should I use for the rocker cover gasket? High temp Solastic? Loctite? Spray on copper gasket adhesive?? Can I use the same stuff for water joining gaskets like the thermostat?

Cheers!

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Personally, I would paint strip, etch prime, prime and then apply gloss. Long process but would give a good result. Depends on what you want really.....show quality or just impress ya mates.

I would use a cork gasket and some Loctite Gasket Goo (don't know the proper name, but it's the brown gooey stuff you paint on). I have had good results with that stuff.

A cork gasket? really?? why not paper?

Thanks for advice. I will do paint strip, Etch, Prime, then gloss because if you are going to do it, then you may as well do it right!

Thanks for that

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Go to Karcreaft and buy a cork gasket. Costs less than $5. Don't use anything else, just make sure you put it on right. If it is leaking iit is because it isn't right. Take it off and do it again. I would personally never use gasket goo or the likes for the rocker cover gasket. It just isn't needed.

Cheers

Aaron

For a rocker cover?? I have always used cork. They compress more than paper and seal better. Once again, opinions may vary.....

I support your theory 110%. If you are taking time to do something, take a bit more time and do an awesome job!!

I was amazed at how well etch primer bonds to bare metal when I sprayed J_A_M with it. It's the best paint prep possible, and so many people don't use it!

Anton.

Thanks Aaron! it was you after all that put the idea of painting my rocker cover into my head!

Now that i have started pulling bits off the car and painting them, i can't stop! I blame it on you!

So i best be careful with the etch primer eh? wouldn't want it bonding to things that I don't want it to bond to!

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

heh heh, speaking of bonding...I still have red paint in my nails and I just can't get it off!!!

Red paint is nasty stuff!! Seems to get into the pores of the skin and it makes me look like I have some hellish skin disease!

anton, i think you would look great with red finger nails. your wife probably thinks you have a little fetish going on.... We know better

hehehe....the ladies at work are giving me some funny looks...it is a Catholic Girls school remember.....

The best way to put a rocker cover gasket on is to use contact adhesive and stick to the bottom of the rocker cover. You will then be able to put the rocker cover on and off quite a number of times with the gasket held in place. We use this for racing where the cover is constantly removed and find it very good.

Also I've never heard of a paper gasket. Cork was standard. You can also get a rubber/Cork mix gasket which are supposed to hold together better. Slightly more expensive. Haven't had much experience with these.

HRS

just for your information, John who owns the little black beast monaco
called it the "tin" cover, referring to the mowog cover. im guessing it is made of tin
the one with the fins (confirmed again: not original) are alloyed, better heat loss

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Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

Nope, no fins, tin... hmmm maybe. It's definately not alloy, feels like stainless

Looks like original one (from the parts book) cept it has MOWOG stamped on it? I have no idea...

Thanks for the tips guys, I have a bigger issue to tackle before rocker cover... my stuffed CV JOINTS! *insert danger music*

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Man it's a stocker, but chromed....

" All that glitters is not gold- it's chrome, man!"

<Edit> if U must paint a cover, come get an unchromed one off me, then sell that one..

I'd keep the chrome.. looks sweet!

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Does anyone know how much chromed rocker covers are or are these no good? I rekcon it will look quite nice in my engine bay with the new engine

Dunno how much $$ now for chrome, but next best thing to alloy, IMO..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.