m/s50 VC, Composite?

[golde30]

is the valve cover for these motors composite plastic, or aluminum like on e30's?

[matt]

Magnesium actually, I think. Or some alloy of aluminum and magnesium. The M52/S52 have a composite valve cover.

[Beau B]

Magnesium actually, I think. Or some alloy of aluminum and magnesium. The M52/S52 have a composite valve cover.

It is Magnesium

[euroshark]

Magnesium parts are titties, a lot of the Alfa V6 parts were magnesium alloy. You can only have so much magnesium before the parts become combustable, look into the new generation of 6 cylinder Bimmer motors, there should be some info on the ratios that they used.

[matt]

Magnesium parts are titties, a lot of the Alfa V6 parts were magnesium alloy. You can only have so much magnesium before the parts become combustable, look into the new generation of 6 cylinder Bimmer motors, there should be some info on the ratios that they used.

Yeah, that's why I think it's an alloy. All the parts that are 100% magnesium that I see on bikes and stuff are all marked magnesium so some poor fool doesn't try to weld them.

And I haven't seen a mark like that on the VC on my M50.

[Mr.SWISS]

Yeah, that's why I think it's an alloy. All the parts that are 100% magnesium that I see on bikes and stuff are all marked magnesium so some poor fool doesn't try to weld them.

And I haven't seen a mark like that on the VC on my M50.

That would be cool. I stole a roll of that out of the science lab in 6th grade, it would freak people out when you lit it.

[golde30]

so can magnesium be polished out to a shine? i was gonna send off my VC to be polished, but then i noticed it was freakin light, and started to think it mite be composite.

[asubimmer]

what about poweder coating them? would that work on magnesium?

[PiercedE30]

The magnesium does polish up quite well actually. Just get at it with some sand paper and you will see how well it could end up.

[matt]

what about poweder coating them? would that work on magnesium?

Yes.

[Van Westervelt]

what about poweder coating them? would that work on magnesium?

NO! Powder coating requires heat in order for the coating to set up. Same as a thermal coating. When you heat up a magnesium peice, it will "gas out" and create bubbles and or flakes all over. It will not bond to the cover. Your only bet it to sand it down and polish it, or use a rattle can high temp paint.

[matt]

NO! Powder coating requires heat in order for the coating to set up. Same as a thermal coating. When you heat up a magnesium peice, it will "gas out" and create bubbles and or flakes all over. It will not bond to the cover. Your only bet it to sand it down and polish it, or use a rattle can high temp paint.

I have seen plenty of powdercoated valve covers. As long as you prep it properly (blast it) there is no problem.

[BDSax]

picture of my wrinkled paint cover and someone posted a pic of a polished one.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=667036&postcount=67

They are alumiuim with magnesium. you can tell by the shit ass quality in the metal, how it has flakes and stuff.

[Beau B]

what about poweder coating them? would that work on magnesium?

They can be powder coated but they are soft metal so they absorb oil particles etc, and you need to get rid of all the oil residue before you powder coat them like was said before they will gas and look like crap.

Beau

[Van Westervelt]

Had one stripped, blasted and sanded. Still gassed out with Powder Coating when it went to bake.