Valve Spring color - HiPo 289

[6s1640]

Hi all,

I have 16 NOS HiPo 289 valve springs and they're not very pretty. The one with paint shown in the below image has been cleaned up. They've been sitting around for too long and who knows what environment.They're fully functional, but I'd like to clean them up.  The factory painted them a dark red I assume for identification purposes. Does anybody know what color that is if I were to repaint the outer spring?  When I soak in the rust remover, it takes all the paint off. How can I make them look OEM again?
Thanks
Cory

[JohnSlack]

Any valve springs that are from the distant past need to be checked on a valve spring tester.

Valve springs that have sat NOS in a box for 80 years plus with no rust are still going to be happy. However valve springs that have lived in an engine, not run for the past 10 years are going to be unhappy.

I'd suggest checking them out.


John

[pbf777]

     I do understand the interest in attempting to reutilize all of the original parts in ones' restoration undertaking but com'on, valve springs?   

     Also any corrosion to the point of damaging/pitting of the surface of the wire winding which creates micro/macro fissures and this which encourages fractures, is reason enough to discarded them.   

     Scott.

[Bob Gaines]

I do understand the interest in attempting to reutilize all of the original parts in ones' restoration undertaking but com'on, valve springs?   

     Also any corrosion to the point of damaging/pitting of the surface of the wire winding which creates micro/macro fissures and this which encourages fractures, is reason enough to discarded them.   

     Scott.

+1 . If you want to look like original I would suggest to paint new aftermarket springs instead.

[TA Coupe]

Why would anyone want to paint a spring and take the chance that some of it would start peeling off and getting into the oil system? And possibly clogging up your filter or something else. Makes absolutely no sense to me. Do they take the valve covers off and look for paint on Springs when they're doing a concourse inspection?😵�💫🤔

      Roy

[Bob Gaines]

Why would anyone want to paint a spring and take the chance that some of it would start peeling off and getting into the oil system? And possibly clogging up your filter or something else. Makes absolutely no sense to me. Do they take the valve covers off and look for paint on Springs when they're doing a concourse inspection?😵�💫🤔

      Roy

Never have heard of opening a engine up in concours and most likely never will. It would only be a personal satisfaction knowing thing. I suspect what some spring mfg's would use for identification was/is not conventional paint but what was more like a stain or maybe a glyptal type paint like some racers would paint the insides of the engine block so oil would flow easier/faster back to the oil pump.You sure would not want to use conventional paint for reasons like you said.

[Coralsnake]

Mr Gaines, that is what those snake cameras are for!

[Bob Gaines]

Mr Gaines, that is what those snake cameras are for!

Ah ha  . But I think you might have some trouble getting by the valve cover breather hole baffles even with the snake camera .  

[tesgt350]

OK, you all are taking Car Show Judging to the Ultra Extreme......    

[6s1640]

Hi guys,

Thank you all for your input. It is crazy, I know. I agree.

Take care

Cory

[Bob Gaines]

OK, you all are taking Car Show Judging to the Ultra Extreme......    

All done with tongue in cheek.  

[JohnSlack]

Why would anyone want to paint a spring and take the chance that some of it would start peeling off and getting into the oil system? And possibly clogging up your filter or something else. Makes absolutely no sense to me. Do they take the valve covers off and look for paint on Springs when they're doing a concourse inspection?😵�💫🤔

      Roy

Never have heard of opening a engine up in concours and most likely never will. It would only be a personal satisfaction knowing thing. I suspect what some spring mfg's would use for identification was/is not conventional paint but what was more like a stain or maybe a glyptal type paint like some racers would paint the insides of the engine block so oil would flow easier/faster back to the oil pump.You sure would not want to use conventional paint for reasons like you said.

The heck with the valve springs, I personally know some "Concourse" restored BOSS 302 Mustangs that have Stroker Cranks and Rods, solid rollers, etc. So definitely don't start taking valve covers off or snaking the oil pans.



John

[CharlesTurner]

It might be a dye, not paint.

[pbf777]

    More than once, we have had customers wanting "FoMoCo" logo and date coded correct rod & main bearings for their engines!   

    Scott.

[JohnSlack]

More than once, we have had customers wanting "FoMoCo" logo and date coded correct rod & main bearings for their engines!   

    Scott.

I have also had that request from someone who I was building an engine for. I politely said, No! Next question.