Can anyone tell me if there are any aluminum or pot metal parts present in a stock ‘28 Chevrolet head? I’ve held onto this one for years just in case somebody gives me a ‘25 Superior some day. It was recently in a basement flood, so I want to tear it down, clean it up, maybe paint it, and put it on a shelf in my garage where I can admire it and it can’t get wet again. Step One of this quasi-restoration is a thorough degreasing and I was contemplating using oven cleaner for the initial clean-up, followed by kerosene or diesel fuel. Before I start, I wanted to confirm that there’s nothing non-ferrous in there that the oven cleaner might eat. Thanks!
There's nothing but Iron or Steel components in the two '28 Chevrolet heads I have here. On a very rusty '28 head I restored ten or so years ago, I had to use a hydraulic press and heat to get the valves out of their guides. Edit: Like this -
I think you're safe here, but there is oven cleaner that is aluminum-safe, should you have a need. It is not quite as powerful as the regular stuff, but it is still a great help in removing aggressive crud.
I have not seen aluminum or pot metal in either of the '28 heads I have. After you get the grease and crud off soak it in a citric acid bath. That will remove the rust without hurting anything else. It may help in getting it apart more easily.There are threads here about using citric acid to remove rust.
Any thoughts on this downdraft ? Zenith 30 vic . ? Seems to be British cars application . Size looks about right. I'd surexlike to switch to downdraft on the chev 4
I don't know about that one but I'll be running a pair of Zenith 28s on my 153 Chevy II 4 banger. They have adjustable main jets and changeable venturies. They were used a lot on Inline 6 setups. All you need for a down draft intake is to turn your stock one over.
Being British I dutifully I messed around with British Zeniths for ages, had no luck at all! Distortion and corrosion of the pot metal can be a problem, as can carb icing which I never cured. Unless you're set on doing things the hard way save yourself all the time and grief stump up for a Stromberg 81, they are a perfect fit on a 82 Chevy, although float valve issues aren't unknown. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...-4461-924d-fd06b5d8ee96_1_201_a-jpeg.5086831/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachments/dscf7300-jpg.5151915/
Looks like a 30 VIG Zenith, Original fitment to a fair few larger Brit 4 cylinder cars. These were a popular upgrade for the 1172cc British Ford motors back in the 50s-60s. Would have thought a single would be a bit small for a Chevy four banger.
Like I said way back somewhere in this thread, a friend of mine flipped the stock intake upside down and used a Carter W-O from a late '40s/early '50s four cylinder Jeep.
I have a W-0 around here that I had bolted to a flipped stock manifold for a while. Probably because of that post. I've never had it on a running engine, but it looks like a good combo for one that's mostly stock internally.
This Roof racing head for Chebby 4 just popped up. Doesn’t fit a T so it’s looking for a good home. Head appears to be complete and in usable shape. Let me know if interested
R R Giant racing head for Chebby 4. I’m helping a friend find a new home for it, we want it to see some use rather than sit on a shelf
Thank you! I have had that picture of Norman F. Smith in my '26 Chevy roadster build file for years and never knew the story. I may have to rethink my plans. Probably can't afford an R&R head but I have an Olds.
The Jalopy Journal
