Got my parts back from the welder. I'll go over what I like and what I don't.
Water neck: I like a lot. Discrete and eliminates the need for a rubber cap. Less water leak points are ideal.
![Bicycle part Auto part Tool Wood Fashion accessory]()
Intake manifold: Very good. After sanding the "patches" are level and blend well. I honestly should have shaved off the whole block in the back, but it's good I didn't and I'll explain at the end.
![Wood Bumper Trigger Automotive exterior Air gun]()
Turbo manifold: Also good, exactly what I wanted.
![Motor vehicle Automotive tire Automotive lighting Automotive design Automotive exhaust]()
Valve covers look good. But they likely won't be.
![Product Wood Bumper Line Automotive exterior]()
![Automotive exterior Wood Bumper Machine Engineering]()
I thought it would be really cool to shave off the OEM fitting bosses and extremities. Good idea in theory, but in practice it's starting to raise hairs on the back of my neck. I failed to remember that filler rod does NOT have the same makeup as cast aluminum. It doesn't polish up the same whatsoever. The filler rod looks chrome in comparison. Also the welder tried his best, but the areas that were welded shut are very lumpy and will require some trickery to get smooth. Whoever came up with block sanding is going to be weeping looking down upon me. Using a rotary sanding tool the welded areas look like the moon. Craters and low spots everywhere.
I got it pretty shiny a few weeks ago and I'm sure I can do it again, but I would NOT recommend anyone else try and do this. Unless you're going to powder coat your covers, in that case I say do better than me and learn to weld your own stuff so you don't have to hope someone does a good enough job. Finished product will be coming soon after I buy more paper.
Water neck: I like a lot. Discrete and eliminates the need for a rubber cap. Less water leak points are ideal.
Intake manifold: Very good. After sanding the "patches" are level and blend well. I honestly should have shaved off the whole block in the back, but it's good I didn't and I'll explain at the end.
Turbo manifold: Also good, exactly what I wanted.
Valve covers look good. But they likely won't be.
I thought it would be really cool to shave off the OEM fitting bosses and extremities. Good idea in theory, but in practice it's starting to raise hairs on the back of my neck. I failed to remember that filler rod does NOT have the same makeup as cast aluminum. It doesn't polish up the same whatsoever. The filler rod looks chrome in comparison. Also the welder tried his best, but the areas that were welded shut are very lumpy and will require some trickery to get smooth. Whoever came up with block sanding is going to be weeping looking down upon me. Using a rotary sanding tool the welded areas look like the moon. Craters and low spots everywhere.
I got it pretty shiny a few weeks ago and I'm sure I can do it again, but I would NOT recommend anyone else try and do this. Unless you're going to powder coat your covers, in that case I say do better than me and learn to weld your own stuff so you don't have to hope someone does a good enough job. Finished product will be coming soon after I buy more paper.
