It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:30 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Magnesium Parts
PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 12:43 am 
Offline
Resident Gearhead
Resident Gearhead

Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:11 pm
Posts: 2594
Location: Alberta, Canada
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP, 2008 STS, 2020 XT6
I recently found out the hard way that the cam covers on my LD8 are not aluminum, they're magnesium. Recently I tried to order a new left cover. GM told the dealer it would be on the way soon, there was just some sort of hang-up with the manufacturing facility. A couple of weeks later GM told the dealer the order was canceled and I will not be receiving the item. I haven't been able to find a new one on eBay and no GM dealer in Canada or the US has one. I'm not sure what's so different about these ones compared to the other zillion years of the LD8/Northstar, but they only fit the 2004-05 Bonneville, 2004-05 Cadillac DeVille and 2003 Cadillac Seville.

So... off to the wrecker. I found one and removed it then had it ultrasonically cleaned. The problem was that it needed to be refinished. I took it to a plating company and they dipped it in a tank of stripper for aluminum parts. Well, it started bubbling immediately as the solvent began eroding the magnesium. Sigh! They took it out of the tank right away but some damage had likely been done. Most of the finish that was on it is gone which is fine. I'm just concerned about some of the sealing surfaces. Perhaps I should look for another used cover and start the process over again?

Next problem... A powder coating company I contacted said they can't help me with finishing because powder, ceramic and other finishes they have won't stick to magnesium and suggested I use an automotive paint of some type. If I use a high temperature paint I may be okay. I'm just not sure I'll get the finish to a standard I want.

Any thoughts, suggestions or experiences with magnesium anyone???

_________________
Image

Bose Luxury Sound System w/Touch Screen Navigation, Addition of Factory XM, 2005 MY Antenna, OnStar Upgrade (3G),
RainSense Wipers, Backup Camera, '00 Style Door Panel Courtesy Lights, Heated Washer Solvent, 2X Remote Trunk Release,
Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
Carbon Fibre Appearance Interior Trim, Highly Modified Main Body Harness, Instrument Panel, Door, Door Panel & Headliner
Wiring Harnesses, Custom Fuse Box & Tire and Loading Information Decals, Additional Acoustic Insulation


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Magnesium Parts
PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 2:23 pm 
Offline
Retired Site Developer
Retired Site Developer
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 10:30 pm
Posts: 20960
Location: MN/IA
Year and Trim: '17 Silverado 1500
I know it is easily flammable. The early drag racers used magnesium for their wheels (hence *mag* wheels) and if the brakes got to hot sometimes the wheels would violently combust!

What's wrong with your current cam cover? Warped or cracked? Or does it just need refinishing?

_________________
Bye Bye:
Image
RIP sandrock
Sirius wrote:
Think about it. You’re tooling down the road in your Prius, knowing full-well that this thing being green is as big a sham as federally mandated ethanol-enriched gas, Russia pulling out of Ukraine, and Obamacare.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Magnesium Parts
PostPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 6:27 pm 
Offline
Resident Gearhead
Resident Gearhead

Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:11 pm
Posts: 2594
Location: Alberta, Canada
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP, 2008 STS, 2020 XT6
I want to replace the gasket for the usual leak problems. I haven't had a problem since I used a Felpro gasket on the right cam cover so I'm hopeful changing this one will have an equally positive result. I really don't want to put a cover back on that doesn't look new. Half the reason repairs sometimes take me a long time is because I clean and detail the crap out of everything during reassembly.

_________________
Image

Bose Luxury Sound System w/Touch Screen Navigation, Addition of Factory XM, 2005 MY Antenna, OnStar Upgrade (3G),
RainSense Wipers, Backup Camera, '00 Style Door Panel Courtesy Lights, Heated Washer Solvent, 2X Remote Trunk Release,
Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
Carbon Fibre Appearance Interior Trim, Highly Modified Main Body Harness, Instrument Panel, Door, Door Panel & Headliner
Wiring Harnesses, Custom Fuse Box & Tire and Loading Information Decals, Additional Acoustic Insulation


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Magnesium Parts
PostPosted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:12 pm 
Offline
Retired Site Developer
Retired Site Developer
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 10:30 pm
Posts: 20960
Location: MN/IA
Year and Trim: '17 Silverado 1500
Right, I get that. Could you swap this cover on for a bit with the old gasket, or rags over the cams, to keep the crud out while you take your stock cover to be refinished? Unless you're afraid that the cover is warped or damaged somehow.

_________________
Bye Bye:
Image
RIP sandrock
Sirius wrote:
Think about it. You’re tooling down the road in your Prius, knowing full-well that this thing being green is as big a sham as federally mandated ethanol-enriched gas, Russia pulling out of Ukraine, and Obamacare.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Magnesium Parts
PostPosted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 8:28 pm 
Offline
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 8:09 pm
Posts: 2363
Location: Michigan
Year and Trim: 2002 Buick Park Ave
Can you electroplate the magnesium in copper or nickel first and then have them powder coated?

_________________
Image
92 Olds 98. L67, Gen 3 M62, 2.55 pulley, FWI, PLIM, 1.8 YTs.

yourgrandma wrote:
High


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Magnesium Parts
PostPosted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 10:02 pm 
Offline
Resident Gearhead
Resident Gearhead

Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:11 pm
Posts: 2594
Location: Alberta, Canada
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP, 2008 STS, 2020 XT6
00Beast wrote:
Right, I get that. Could you swap this cover on for a bit with the old gasket, or rags over the cams, to keep the crud out while you take your stock cover to be refinished? Unless you're afraid that the cover is warped or damaged somehow.
Under normal circumstances, that would be a possibility. Unfortunately, I'm trying to get it ready to put in storage for the winter. I want to park it next week and that just won't leave me enough time.

Wes wrote:
Can you electroplate the magnesium in copper or nickel first and then have them powder coated?
That's an interesting question. This may be a possibility but I need to do a little more research first. Once I know, I'll post back in case anyone else runs into a similar problem. I do know that magnesium can be chromed but must be dipped first for similar reasons.

_________________
Image

Bose Luxury Sound System w/Touch Screen Navigation, Addition of Factory XM, 2005 MY Antenna, OnStar Upgrade (3G),
RainSense Wipers, Backup Camera, '00 Style Door Panel Courtesy Lights, Heated Washer Solvent, 2X Remote Trunk Release,
Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
Carbon Fibre Appearance Interior Trim, Highly Modified Main Body Harness, Instrument Panel, Door, Door Panel & Headliner
Wiring Harnesses, Custom Fuse Box & Tire and Loading Information Decals, Additional Acoustic Insulation


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Magnesium Parts
PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 5:53 pm 
Offline
Posts like an LN3
Posts like an LN3
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2016 12:15 am
Posts: 522
Location: Isanti, MN
Year and Trim: 2000 SLE Saved from the scrapyard.
I never plated magnesium, but usually I would clean with triclorethelene, rinse and drop it into a copper tank to flash copper on it as a primer and then go into the electroless nickle and then onto whatever was going to be the finished plating. If the part still has sharp edges and no signs of pitting, then I think you'd be okay with it, but I would definitely want to do more research about dealing with Magnesium parts.

Did you tell the company that dipped it that it was magnesium when you handed it off to them? Seems weird that they would treat it like Aluminum, unless it was just a mistake ( which happens ).

_________________
A temporary fix does not exist. It becomes a solution until it needs to be fixed again.
Image
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOYkkevV0gKTHc_8Cstuy8yS1Qyx6SiIKeTzuHy


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Magnesium Parts
PostPosted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:28 pm 
Offline
Resident Gearhead
Resident Gearhead

Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:11 pm
Posts: 2594
Location: Alberta, Canada
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP, 2008 STS, 2020 XT6
To be perfectly honest, I assumed it was aluminum based on weight and rigidity so I told them it was aluminum. I've actually been considering finding a set of them and seeing if there's anyone out there that will apply a black chrome finish. I found a website for a company that does this, but I get the impression the only process new parts for manufacturing companies. Apparently they process the magnesium paddle shifters for GM's ATS.

_________________
Image

Bose Luxury Sound System w/Touch Screen Navigation, Addition of Factory XM, 2005 MY Antenna, OnStar Upgrade (3G),
RainSense Wipers, Backup Camera, '00 Style Door Panel Courtesy Lights, Heated Washer Solvent, 2X Remote Trunk Release,
Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
Carbon Fibre Appearance Interior Trim, Highly Modified Main Body Harness, Instrument Panel, Door, Door Panel & Headliner
Wiring Harnesses, Custom Fuse Box & Tire and Loading Information Decals, Additional Acoustic Insulation


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Magnesium Parts
PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 4:52 pm 
Offline
SLE Member
SLE Member

Joined: Fri Aug 16, 2013 1:29 am
Posts: 48
Location: Jefferson City Missouri
Year and Trim: 2005 GXP
Interesting.
For what it's worth, I had mine powder coated a year ago.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/koFn3ojHFECRDI6s2

https://photos.app.goo.gl/c02nUkx6pdXONXGN2

(can't get pics to work, so just follow links... sorry)

Drew

_________________
Pontiac stable:
2005 Bonneville GXP - Black -daily driver
2004 Sunfire - Arrival Blue Metallic -Wife's
1998 Grand Prix GT - Black -seen better days, awaiting fate
1985 Fiero Sport Coupe - Black (mostly) - long term rebuild


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Magnesium Parts
PostPosted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 11:28 pm 
Offline
Resident Gearhead
Resident Gearhead

Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:11 pm
Posts: 2594
Location: Alberta, Canada
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP, 2008 STS, 2020 XT6
I know this is kind of old now, but did you ever have any problems with the finish since this was done?

I noticed the other day that the cam cover, previously canceled by GM, was still listed as active on many online parts sites. I asked my dealer to check again. It seems that GM had some change of heart and must have had more made. They are now available again and I have one on the way.

_________________
Image

Bose Luxury Sound System w/Touch Screen Navigation, Addition of Factory XM, 2005 MY Antenna, OnStar Upgrade (3G),
RainSense Wipers, Backup Camera, '00 Style Door Panel Courtesy Lights, Heated Washer Solvent, 2X Remote Trunk Release,
Turn Signal Mirrors, Center Console Courtesy Lamp, Rear Outboard Heated Seats, PVD Chrome 18" Factory Rims, Upgraded
Carbon Fibre Appearance Interior Trim, Highly Modified Main Body Harness, Instrument Panel, Door, Door Panel & Headliner
Wiring Harnesses, Custom Fuse Box & Tire and Loading Information Decals, Additional Acoustic Insulation


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Related topics
 Topics   Author   Replies   Views   Last post 
There are no new unread posts for this topic. Some polished parts

95naSTA

18

2242

Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:33 am

WhiteArrow3800 View the latest post

There are no new unread posts for this topic. Look at what I saw at the parts store.

alexcoqui

6

1582

Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:14 am

HurstGN View the latest post

There are no new unread posts for this topic. ssei body parts ?

ballen4218

2

1185

Wed Jun 25, 2014 8:39 pm

ga93sle View the latest post

There are no new unread posts for this topic. How to wet sand parts of a bonnie and why

03SSEISUPERCHARGED

14

2308

Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:08 pm

willwren View the latest post

There are no new unread posts for this topic. Bonneville Body Parts?

Joshuahb01

1

1306

Thu Jan 30, 2014 8:05 pm

crash93ssei View the latest post

 


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group


phpBB SEO