Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-16-2014, 10:35 PM   #1
36 CS
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gulf Coast of Alabama
Posts: 147
Default Polishing Elderbrock heads

I have some Elderbrock heads that I would like to polish. Has anyone done this , if so would you share any info, short cuts, tips a do it yourself method that worked for you. I know it would be better to let a pro do it, however since I a paraplegic I get enjoyment from doing the jobs that I feel I can physically try. Thanks for your help.
36 CS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2014, 05:10 AM   #2
JWL
Member Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia
Posts: 2,204
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

Well, there are no short-cuts or easy methods. I start with sandpaper and gradually change to higher numbers until I get a really nice finish with grade 1000 and then 2000. Then the buffing begins. I use white rouge before the final finish with Mothers.
JWL is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 10-17-2014, 11:01 AM   #3
s nichols
Member
 
s nichols's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 69
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

get a EASTWOOD cat they have what you need-except lots of time
s nichols is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2014, 01:10 PM   #4
19Fordy
Senior Member
 
19Fordy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,921
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

Go for it. You can do it with the right equipment plus patience.
19Fordy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2014, 01:43 PM   #5
Tim Ayers
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,177
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

Quote:
Originally Posted by JWL View Post
Well, there are no short-cuts or easy methods. I start with sandpaper and gradually change to higher numbers until I get a really nice finish with grade 1000 and then 2000. Then the buffing begins. I use white rouge before the final finish with Mothers.
Never thought of starting off with sandpaper. Makes sense. I always thought they hit with different grit rouge or whatever it is called.

I may try the sandpaper method and have a go at polishing myself.
Tim Ayers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2014, 01:54 PM   #6
MuskegonFlatheadFan
Senior Member
 
MuskegonFlatheadFan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Muskegon, MI
Posts: 252
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
doesn't need to be sand paper, scotch bright pads come in various grits too. They are a little more flexible.
MuskegonFlatheadFan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2014, 02:18 PM   #7
lonewolf
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 464
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

Are they new heads or older heads. Ive found that the new heads have a real course texter all over and seem to be a harder alluminum. If they are the new heads i start with 120 grit go up to about 6-800 grit than use a Tripoli compound than a white rouge compound. Make sure u use the correct wheel with the compound you are using and dont mix compounds one the same wheel. Eastwood sells a nice starter kit with a video.


Last edited by lonewolf; 10-17-2014 at 02:32 PM.
lonewolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2014, 02:33 PM   #8
lonewolf
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 464
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

http://instagram.com/p/VNAae1HIv-/
lonewolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2014, 10:03 PM   #9
36 CS
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gulf Coast of Alabama
Posts: 147
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

Thanks guys for your help. I just need to put out some elbow grease and a lot of it. Hey I certainly have more time than money. Thanks again.
36 CS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2014, 11:27 AM   #10
4tford
Senior Member
 
4tford's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Regina Canada
Posts: 1,335
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

I am trying to polish the edges and top of fins on a set of new 8ba Offenhausers and can not believe how rough and scratched the housing is. I hope your Edelbrocks are better.
4tford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2014, 02:07 PM   #11
cadillacoffin
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 158
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

any progress? how much time do you have into it?
cadillacoffin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2014, 08:16 PM   #12
Ralph Moore
Senior Member
 
Ralph Moore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: North Pole, Alaska
Posts: 1,470
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

Yes, pictures please, might want to attempt mine!
Ralph Moore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2014, 10:04 PM   #13
quickchange34
Senior Member
 
quickchange34's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: charlottesville, Va.
Posts: 589
Default Re: Polishing Elderbrock heads

Guys I have done a lot of heads on the blower motors I build. I find the quick way to get the surface ready for polishing is on the outside edges of the heads to take a DA sander and put it in the lock position and use 6 inch DA paper. If they are course use 120 then 220 then 320. As the paper starts to ware it will start to polish. Do not move on with the finer paper until you have removed all of the marks and starches. When you get to the 320 as it wares it really starts to polish. You can also use this to do the tops of the fins. Down in the fins you will need to use tapered sanding rolls 1/4 inch by 1 1/2inch with a 1/8 inch mandrel hole. One place you can get these is MSC You will need the mandrel and three grits of 80, 120, 220.. The mandrel is used with a die air grinder. This saves a lot of time before you start to polish.
quickchange34 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:10 PM.