Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Has Anyone Ever Powder Coated a B5.9 Head?

[Extreme1]

I'm looking at getting the new ported head powder coated by these guys. I'm worried about the coating burning off the side of the exhaust ports. Has anyone ever had a head coated? How has it held up?

 

[ATaylor]

powdercoating the head

I don't think that powder paint will hold up on the exhaust ports. How about ceramic coating like jet hot? I have wondered about doing this when I do the head gasket.



Archie

 

[BHanna]

I don't think it would hold up to high temps either. When they apply that stuff, they bake it for a few minutes at about 400 degrees to melt it and bond the coating together. I'm guessing that means it's not meant for long term exposure to even that much heat.

 

[Bob4x4]

Ceramic coating will be the only option that will be able to stand up to high temps for any length of time,just not many color options.

 

[Extreme1]

The place in the link has a black powder coating that is good to 800 degrees. I was originally going to have them ceramic coat it but they said that the head would likely warp due to the high heat soak to cure the ceramic coat. A solution might be to bolt it to a thick block of steel but I don't happen to have one lying around. It would also add to the price because it would add to the oven time (more metal to heat). And even then they said it still might warp and that they've never ceramic coated a head for anyone.



Has anyone ever put a heat gun on the outside of the exhaust port during a dyno run to see how hot they get? If the exhaust gas is 1200, how hot does the exterior surface get?

 

[HBarlow]

I would be concerned that even if you find a high tech coating that will stand the heat the coating may have an adverse even damaging effect on the cylinder head. Wouldn't a coating tend to trap and hold heat in and potentially cause overheating? I would think the head naturally gives off heat into the atmosphere.

 

[Extreme1]

Radiant heat dissapation isn't a very big heat rejection method for these engines and the differnce in heat loss with a powder coating versus paint is minimal.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have had my 1500 degree pryo pegged for a bit of time while playing hard in my 94. I am sure the entire head was fairly warm. I ported my very early ATS and sent it out for ceramic coating before the install. It still looks the same Many miles and heat cycles later.

Did the coating company tell you how hot the oven has to be to cure their coating?

 

[TBartlett1]

Look at POR15, they have some impressive paints for engines and some that are good for up to 1400deg.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have not been happy with por 15,I have seen rust come through in high heat app's.

 

[Extreme1]

Did the coating company tell you how hot the oven has to be to cure their coating?

I'll call them Monday. As I recall the powder bake was a lot lower and shorter than the ceramic bake but I don't recall the details.



Who did the ceramic coating on your head?

 

[Bob4x4]

I'll call them Monday. As I recall the powder bake was a lot lower and shorter than the ceramic bake but I don't recall the details.



Who did the ceramic coating on your head?

I didn't do the head just manifold

 

[Extreme1]

My bad. I did have them ceramic coat my early ATS manifold, the two exhaust housings, the hot pipe and the downpipe. The downpipe is coated inside and out.

 

[Extreme1]

Powder coat oven temp: 375 (until surface reaches temp)



Ceramic coating oven temp: 700 (until surface reaches temp then hold for 30 minutes)