CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Restoration => Topic started by: Danzo on August 24, 2018, 05:40:13 PM

Title: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: Danzo on August 24, 2018, 05:40:13 PM
Guys what are you doing/using to achieve the factory look on the outer skin?
Thanks, Doc.
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: ZLP955 on August 25, 2018, 01:35:20 AM
If your pump casing is just dirty, it should come up pretty good with warm water and detergent. If it's corroded/oxidised then it will need something more aggressive, maybe a good starting point would be a careful application of oven cleaner. I think the biggest hurdle to soaking the outer casting is being able to separate the inner parts, one of the bearings is difficult to remove.
I've still got to do mine, although the look I'm after is unrestored rather than just-off-the-line. So will be following this for tips!
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: Fred Mertz on August 25, 2018, 04:06:59 AM
If you are not in a "smog" state taking out the vanes and plugging hoses helps.  Still looks stock.
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: Danzo on August 31, 2018, 12:14:01 AM
Anyone else?
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: 169INDY on August 31, 2018, 01:06:47 AM
OK, you asked as a lot of guys have different methods with varying results
(MINE) 1st choice send it to a vendor who specializes in reskinning.
DIY (For me) (If possible very very ow pressure gentile  glass bead)
Eagle Mag Cleaner brush on and rinse,
then PPG products DX 579 cleaner brush on and rinse
then PPG product DX 501 conditioner brightener brush on soak and gently burnish

This is exactly what I did to my 403 bellhousing in my build thread.

I have no access to a large vibratory tumbler, so results may vary

Jim
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: bertfam on August 31, 2018, 01:32:27 AM
You have to be VERY careful with reskinning or tumbling. Smog pumps originally had machine extruding marks and these can easily be removed if you're not careful.

The attached picture is of an NOS smog pump dated 2568 (256th day of 1968). Notice the extrusion marks next to the fan. Once removed it's almost impossible to recreate!

Ed
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: Danzo on August 31, 2018, 06:30:59 PM
Jim, do you have any pictures?
Thanks, Doc.
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: 169INDY on August 31, 2018, 07:06:33 PM
page #5 of this build thread.
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=15748.60

to obtain the results Ed has posted will be $1,200 dollars and a willing seller!
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: Danzo on August 31, 2018, 11:34:30 PM
Ed does that pump have some kind of manufacturer/factory"coating"? The machined circles look much brighter than the pump body. What does a "Hodel" pump look like finished?
Thanks, Doc.
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: bertfam on September 01, 2018, 12:11:15 AM
Quote
Ed does that pump have some kind of manufacturer/factory"coating"?

Nope. Just raw aluminum. It's been in the original box since 1968, in the dark, in the garage. It belongs to Joe Lucia from the NCRS.

Ed
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: Danzo on September 02, 2018, 12:24:27 AM
Here what I have after cleaning 49+ years of oxidation, dirt, orange paint. I can clearly see the extrusion marks that Ed pointed out. Do you think it is too shiny or should I just flat clear it and call it done?
Thanks, Doc.
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: bertfam on September 02, 2018, 01:17:42 AM
Yes, WAY too shiny. But I don't know what you would have to do to get it to mimic what it originally looked like.

Ed
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: ZLP955 on September 02, 2018, 02:50:41 AM
Doc what did you clean it with?
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: Danzo on September 02, 2018, 02:52:33 PM
A combination of steel wool and wire wheels. Anyone have any experience with "dulling" aluminum? Read some good and bad posts about oven cleaner. Anyone know what Bill Hodel does to finish his?
Thanks, Doc.
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: bertfam on September 02, 2018, 04:16:08 PM
Quote
Anyone have any experience with "dulling" aluminum?

Yeah, leave it out in the weather for a few years!!

But seriously, and I hate to say this, but you may have ruined it with the steel wool and wire wheel. You've removed most of the extrusion marks. I would call Bill at 330-832-0871 and send him to pictures. He may have some ideas for you.

Ed
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: Danzo on September 02, 2018, 04:40:18 PM
All the marks that were there before i started are still there. they are deep enough that you can feel them with your fingernail.
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: firstgenaddict on September 19, 2018, 01:17:15 AM
The housings are pressure cast aluminum... just like a muncie side cover, tailshaft housing, steering box cover, and valve covers.
After being released from the molds they have machining done. the fly cut marks externally are likely locating areas for the tooling required for machining the internal tolerance surfaces.
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: z28z11 on September 19, 2018, 01:46:48 AM
Send the casing to Jerry MacNeish and get him to tumble it. Accelerated tumbling media is the deflashing and deburring technique used by a lot of automotive parts manufacturers to de-scale and smooth the surface of aluminum castings, does a great job of refinishing aluminum and restoring the "mill finish" look. Jerry's technique works very well on manifolds and valve covers, ASL used to do this on alternators and smog pumps to restore finishes to bead blasted and polished cases. Contact him and see what he can do -

Regards,
Steve
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: 69Z28-RS on September 19, 2018, 01:53:18 PM
OR... check with local electrical (alternator) rebuilders and see if they have such a tumbling machine.   A friend here once owned an auto electrical rebuilding shop and when he closed it he moved the 'tumbler' to his personal shop.   They make a helluva racket when operating, but do a great job on cast aluminum parts.
Title: Re: 69 smog pump resto
Post by: KurtS on September 26, 2018, 01:57:25 AM
The housings are pressure cast aluminum... just like a muncie side cover, tailshaft housing, steering box cover, and valve covers.
The finish of these parts (aka die cast) are totally different from sand castings. That's why an original Muncie case looks very different than the tail housing.