engine paint question(s)

so, i installed my new valve shims and everything looks good.

unfortunately, the previous owner painted the engine black.

as i was cleaning up my valve cover and getting ready to put the new gasket on. lots of the paint just wiped right off.

i'm not too concerned about how it looks (my goal is to getting running and performing good - then worry about how it looks).

but i'm concerned about my valve cover - is there a clear coat that goes on at the factory that i may now be missing?

will it be alright with parts of the cover exposed to the elements?

 

Fitz's valve cover refurb: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=22125.html

I dont really know what you mean about the aluminum cover exposed to the elements, the non-YICS motors had a just plain aluminum cover (I can only imagine with some lacquer or finish on it) and those hold up.

as you can see in Fitz's pictures, he restores a pretty gnarly and exposed cover to very nice shape.

Also, if you're going to repaint, the 500 degree duplicolor paint is pretty tough, it has ceramic in it as well, and they also make a 500 degree clear coat, which holds up pretty nice, and as I recall a very far time back, a member paint his tank with many coats of this clear coat, and said it was gas resistant, I dont know yet if its true, I'm going to find out over spring break...

take care and enjoy the pasties!

 

thanks for the link, schooter (and, as usual, incredible job, fitz).

based on the steps in the walk through that say, "you could stop here"

i think i'll be safe.

by guess is that since the PO probably just used the wrong kind of paint and then painted right over the laquer - and that's why, in some spots, it's just wiping right off.

edit: oh yeah, i had a pasty for dinner last night - it was delicious.

 

I've got a 750 valve cover if ya want one