Polished Intake Manifold

[Rustbucket350]

Has anybody ever polished the upper intake of a 4.0? Not porting the runners but the actual top side. Looking for motivation and tips mainly.

Your standard upper ohv intake

Casting mostly initially cleaned up

My hands hurt already but it's too late to turn back now.

 

[AllanD]

When you are done sanding it smooth I'd recommend a coat of Self-etching primer
and a top coat of mag wheel paint.

 

[adsm08]

I haven't seen it done to a 4.0, but someone here did polish a 2.9 upper to a mirror finish. It's the same stuff.

 

[Angie]

Here is a 4.0L that was done.... scroll to post 10 for the start of the pics.


http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64164

 

[fastpakr]

I haven't seen it done to a 4.0, but someone here did polish a 2.9 upper to a mirror finish. It's the same stuff.

Yep. As I recall it was a guy in the Navy that took a seabag of parts and polishing gear on a long cruise. That has to be 15 years ago though, so I'm not sure if any of the posts are archived that we could find again.

Edit: Was it Zeroidea?
http://zeroidea.com/

 

[adsm08]

Yep. As I recall it was a guy in the Navy that took a seabag of parts and polishing gear on a long cruise. That has to be 15 years ago though, so I'm not sure if any of the posts are archived that we could find again.

Edit: Was it Zeroidea?
http://zeroidea.com/

No, it was some kid, barely 18 IIRC. He was building a Ranger "SHO". Not sure how you can call it a "SHO" when you are leaving the 2.9 it in. It was in the last 5 years. I'll see if I can find the thread.

 

[adsm08]

Found it. He wasn't building a SHO, he was building a Shelby. And it was a 4.0.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64164

Posts 10, 23 and 29 are relevant.

 

[Rustbucket350]

That's what I was picturing. I went a bit wild and removed the casting seams and markings on the front already. Not sure what came over me but I looked at it mocked up after painting the engine and thought "hmm...". His looked pretty good so I'm going to keep at it. I'll probably take it to 800 wet and then hit it with an initial polish to see what it looks like.

 

[fastpakr]

Found it. He wasn't building a SHO, he was building a Shelby. And it was a 4.0.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64164

Posts 10, 23 and 29 are relevant.

Oh, okay. Yeah - that's the thread that Angie linked earlier.

 

[adsm08]

I didn't even see Angie's post.

 

[AllanD]

Just remember if you don't paint it, it will end up looking like "grey soda" crackers in 3-6 months...

 

[Rustbucket350]

Oh come on now, did you think I'd go through all this trouble to not give it a hand polish once in awhile? I could have it clear anodized, but I think most places have a minimum fee which might not be worth it unless my polish job turns out immaculate. My mirrors are rusted and my paint is bubbling but at least the intake will be shiny!

 

[adsm08]

Just spray it with an engine clear coat. The cans cost like $8.

 

[Rustbucket350]

And there it is

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Blingy!