Hi Guys, decided to start a new topic so I can update as I go.
So far I've pulled the manifold apart and started stripping the paint.
I pulled the fuel rail apart and stripped the paint.





Next I polished it with a bench grinder and polishing wheel.





At present I'm removing the paint from the upper half of the manifold ready for powdering. Too intricate for me to polish so I think I'll have it powdered silver.
The red paint is really something else! That stuff is TUFF! Took 2 cans of spray stripper and 3 different types of HEAVY DUTY auto stripper.
Tried heat, thinners, MEK all sorts of stuff.
Finally had a breakthrough today with warmer weather.

Howard

Ahh the warmer weather helped out...

Glad to see you are having the same fun we all did!

Yeah, the weather seemed to help alot!
Now I'm not sure what colour to go. I might go with silver powder on both halves!



Should I buy a new regulator? Are the ones that come with it able to be cleaned? Looks like the screen inside it is dirty! Can I just replace the screen?

Howard

Yes that paint is tuff, I used stripper like you mentioned along with a 2800 psi power washer with a rotary nozzle, it was a mess & still had some litte areas to pick off. As for the top of mine I just sand blasted it and then clear coated it, the botttom section I had powder coated

Looks good, keep going.

Boosted

hquick wrote:

Should I buy a new regulator? Are the ones that come with it able to be cleaned? Looks like the screen inside it is dirty! Can I just replace the screen?

Howard

I can tell you the regulator on your manifold was functioning when the manifold was pulled from the boat motor. You should be able to simply spray it down thoroughly with a carberator cleaner, or starting fluid (ether) to clean it up and remove any varnish, and call it good.

If you wish to replace it, you can find an automotive equivalent rather easily. The 1997 and 98 C5 Corvette, and the 1998 Camaro and Firebird had a fuel return line from the motor fuel rail back to the fuel tank. This is the same system as the L30-L31 trucks (96-99 vortec 305 and 350cid). On these vehicles, the fuel pressure regulator is located on the fuel rail and are 4 bar (58 psi) and will interchange directly with the marine regulator. The L30 and L31 truck motors also use a 4 bar regulator. Your fuel pump, and the rest of your fuel system will not know the difference.

Scroll about 1/2 way down this page for more info -

http://www.pacificp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=317&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=240

Powdercoat the bottom silver and the top black if you want it to look stock.
Sleeper....

playtoy_18 wrote:

Powdercoat the bottom silver and the top black if you want it to look stock.
Sleeper....

I did the bottom in black and the upper rough silver with the paint removed. If I didnt need to be inconspicuous I'd polish it.

Mine looks pretty stock actually. I even had the stock airbox mocked up with the "feet" cut off of it. But I hated that thing and removed it.

I took it to work and did as you suggested Pecos. It came up great. The screen/filter is now clean as a whistle.
Top black and bottom silver sounds good. The shiny fuel rails would look good against that.
As for connecting the fuel rails, I'm going to try to pick up a secondhand stock manifold...I think I can get one here, and cut the fuel lines off it and adapt the standard fuel line and return line nut/bracket fitting to fit the new fuel rails. This way it should all go together in the same way as the stock vortec fuel lines.
I should be able to TIG the lines together and polish them to give them a OEM look.

Howard

Hey guys, I had the manifold caustic bathed and the paint didn't budge. Taking it to get sand blasted tomorrow!

hquick wrote:

Hey guys, I had the manifold caustic bathed and the paint didn't budge. Taking it to get sand blasted tomorrow!

I taped off all the machined faces of mine and sandblasted it too. I tried everything except baking in in a kiln to get that paint off.

I did not tape off the holes and blasted mine. James is anal. LOL.

Also...Just scored some spares off Aussie Evilbay. This stuff is rare as rockinghorse shit here!
USD$120.00 or there abouts...all brand new and unused!



This way I can have EVERYTHING mounted on the marine intake before changing them over. I wanted it for the fuel rails. I want to make the marine setup so the two connectors mount in the same place so I can connect it exactly the same way. I may have to cut and tig the lines!

What colour should I paint the manifold?
My truck is Victory red.
I like the look of a little bit of colour under the bonnet but don't want it to look cheap and plasticy.
I was thinking all silver!
I also like the black original colours with the polished rails and I'll be making all polished stainless bracketry!
I also reckon candy red would look awesome!
Need to decide by about Tuesday. That's when I'll be giving it back to be powdered.
Can you other guys post pic's of yours to give me some inspiration?
Thanks

Howard

I would paint it black to allow the heat to conduct out of the intake. In my truck I was surprised about how little of the intake is visible

I really shouldnt have an opinion on this as I just left my intake Mercruiser Red. At the time money was a hot commodity. If I am forced to remove the intake and reinstall it again, I may get it painted up. I need to borrow the scan tool again, to see where my damn problem is. Looks like I will be dumping some more money into the truck again. Suspension, exhaust and some engine goodies are in my near future.

personally I would tape off anything I didnt want sandblasted, but I am not sure how long the tape would last, but it depends on what tape you use I suppose.

Good luck with the install, its looking good so far.

Nice score on the new L31 parts.

I also like your idea about TIG welding the stock connectors onto the new MArine Fuel rails, I may look into this idea as well.


peace
Hog

Pauly is right about not being able to see much of it, & its even worse with the blower, Mine is posted on FSC in the gallery here is the linky. http://www.fullsizechevy.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/14345/cat/500/ppuser/1342

Bottom is ceramic coated (black) top is sandblasted aluminum, clear coated.

Boosted

I have until tomorrow to make up my mind.
Here's what I'm doing with the fuel rails...so far.
I'm at work now so I'm going to break out the TIG.



Howard

Got the manifold back from the blasters.
Preping for powder now!
Going to go all silver.
Also finished bending one fuel line.







Howard

bare feet this time. Must be warm. in the 40's in Los Angeles.

Just for you Eric!

Here's some more pic's.
Ready for powder now!