Author Topic: Chrome plate/powder coat cam and IP sprockets - Good or Bad? (Read 2580 times)

rabbid79 · « **on:** January 28, 2008, 09:48:21 pm »

Hi, I'm thinking about having my cam and IP sprockets and intermediate shaft pulley chrome plated or powder coated. Does anybody know of a compelling reason not to do this? Does it increase the chances of having the belt slip? What about wear? How long can I expect either of these finishes last? And finally, what about the area where the cam and the pulley mate? Is it likely to cause the sprocket to slip on the cam shaft? Thanks for your input.

blkboostedtruck · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2008, 03:05:45 pm »

that would look kewl! but i would not let center hole get anything on it! prolly would not grip the cam right?
thanks Duane

burn_your_money · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2008, 10:08:47 pm »

Something tells me that getting the cam mating surface as well as where the belt rides coated would be a bad idea but I have no experience with this

jtanguay · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2008, 10:22:05 pm »

if the coating was thin enough it might work... something like a dull paint. glossy finishes like powder coating might not be such a good idea.. like burn said coat everything but the belt contact surface. it'll still look good

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2008, 04:25:30 pm »

good or bad? bad.

but if you really want to do it then make sure than no coating goes over any mating surface. belt mating surface and also where the sprocket would fit over a shaft/nose, etc. anything that touches anything i'd keep bare.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2008, 06:05:45 pm »

You are also going to increase the mass of the pulleys which is usually not desirable

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2008, 07:20:04 am »

people often don't thoroughly consider the adverse effects that prettying up an engine could have. my favourite example is painting or powdercoating aluminum heads :lol:

although the rotating mass added by putting a finish on these pulley's would likely not be noticable in operation, its worth considering. how about if the coating is thicker in some spots that others, i'm sure throwing these pulleys out of balance even a little can't be good.

moTthediesel · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2008, 07:32:58 am »

I really don't think that weight and balance would be much affected as the rotating diameters are quite small for the speeds we're talking about. (ie. coating a turbine wheel would be a far different matter)

I do my own powder coating and what I plan to do is to plug the bores with wadding and wrap a bit of old timing belt around the outside. After spraying the powder, I'll pull out the plugs and remove the belting, then bake.

Nothing sez lovin like some'thin from the oven --

moT

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2008, 07:37:03 am »

i like the idea of powder coat better because i think it would be easier to control the thickness vs. a paint. your process sounds good i don't think you'd have problems like that. if you get anything at all on the cam nose mating surface i doubt you'll be pleased with the results once you drive it around a little.