14 replies to this topic

[Shiney005]

What is the finish that was used in the AC factory for the bottom half of the pump? I thought at first it may have been yellow chromate, but can that even be applied to aluminium? I thought that stuff was put on over zinc.  My L34 pump has lost 90% of it from the outside and I would like to get it redone.

 

I took this photo of a mates one the other day.

 

 

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[rexy]

Looks almost the same colour as an older Holley carb?

[Bruiser]

I was thinking the same thing
Try cleaning a Holley in CLR
Clean as, but not lovely gold colour any more - dull grey
So that holley stuff comes off like some kind of plating, at least

[yel327]

Try Xtreme fuel to see if they can put Holley or Quadrajet gold on it.

[hanra]

This is what Hume Performance did to my quadrajet.

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[LJ RB30]

No expert & don't know what the factory did but i assume the alloy had enough zinc content to make the chromate do its job.

But i had a go at restoring a twin strommie set i had.

This was before.

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Then vapour blasted, glass beads.

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Then the bodies were just dipped in yellow chromate for about 15-20secs, the steel parts were zinc plated first then dipped in chromate.

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Don't know what material pumps are made from though.

[Shiney005]

Wow, they have come up amazing Trevor. Was it Sterling Metal Plating down in Maddington that dipped them in the Chromate?

[LJ RB30]

Wow, they have come up amazing Trevor. Was it Sterling Metal Plating down in Maddington that dipped them in the Chromate?[/quote]

Hey Shiney.
Thanks mate.
It wasn’t quite the colour I was going for but it definitely made them look pretty good in the end.
I did it all myself in the shed.
Started with a basic zinc kit to plate carby links & arms etc then the old quaddy, I’ve yet to do, had lost some of its color so Iooked at the chromates & the strommies are the first attempt. I’ve got some blue chromate but haven’t tried it yet.

[Shiney005]

Want to have a go at my fuel pump?

[LJ RB30]

Want to have a go at my fuel pump?

Yeah can do that mate.
I’ll see if I’ve got an old V8 pump to test on & see what colour it comes up with to show you first. I’ve got plenty of 6cyl ones

[Shiney005]

I will be away from the computer for a few days. If you are close to the freeway I might be able to drop by on Sunday night. 0428 308 202

[LJ RB30]

Caswell plating is the yellow chromate what is used.

 

https://www.caswellp...te-cadmium-look

 

Dont know if mine was their new formula or not now

[LJ RB30]

For those playing at home & Shiney, good to have a chat mate!, i dug out a 6cyl fuel pump & stripped it to end up with just the lower housing.

I gave it a quick degrease.

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Then a vapour blast

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Wacked a bit of copper wire on to hang onto whilst dangling in the solutions & gave it a quick 10sec dip in the alkali degreaser then rinsed.

Then dipped it into the yellow chromate for 20sec then rinsed again.Without touching it i used a heat gun on low to dry it.

This is the result.

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The alkali degreaser & chromate were probably around 30 degrees as the shed was 32 when i opened it, it was probably a bit cool for the degreaser but it didnt have to do much after the vapour blasting.

I also should have wired it better so there wasn't solution trapped in the housing while it hangs but this was just a quick test.

For shits & giggles i dipped it in for another 10sec a couple of hours after the initial dipping. 

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Doubt if it changed the colour as i assume the initial reaction does the job depending on zinc content & dip time etc....

You can also see where the wire has rubbed the chromate off the edge near the mounting hole because i was jiggling it roughly to get the trapped solution out during drying but you get the idea.

 

[Shiney005]

For those playing at home & Shiney, good to have a chat mate!

Back at ya Trev.

You are saying you use an alkali degreaser, but the one I googled says not to use on aluminium?

 

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And the mob that sells the chromate say cast aluminium should have an acid wash before applying the chromate.  It is all a bit confusing. I have bought a yellow and olive chromate kit from Jane Kits https://janekits.com.au/  but I want to make sure I get the prep right.

 

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[LJ RB30]

Yeah the alkali degreaser was a leftover from an old ni-co plating kit I had but yes generally don’t put anything aluminum/alloy in alkali/caustic.
The pump housing didn’t react at all when I quickly dipped it & rinsed it.
You will know very quickly if its attacking it.
The degreaser has been watered down over the years which probably helped but yes the recommended is acid or acidic solution.
Might see if the blaster takes the chromate off & give it another dip & see the result.