push rod tube, to paint or not Options

[jacksun]

Hi,

got my first push rod tube cleaned up and would like to paint it with

hi-temp paint? any problems doing so?

tks

randal

[jacksun]

http://www.vw-resource.com/cooling_qa.html

"
Miscellaneous Ideas to Improve Cooling


All of us want a cool running engine, one that can take 70 mph into a headwind at 95 degrees all day.

The stock cooling system will handle higher power okay, but do include the thermostat and cooling flaps. (See our discussion of Cooling Vanes and Thermostat. If the thermostat is expanded, the flaps should be open, (as long as the control rod is moving freely).

Another useful trick is to examine the heads carefully, and use a Dremel or small chisel to remove any casting flash between the fins. This improves airflow for better cooling.

Paint the cylinders (not the heads) with a very thin coat of matt black heat resistant paint (brush-on, not spray paint -- according to John Connolly (Aircooled.Net), using the brush-on type is much better than spray-on, maybe it sticks better. Also paint the push rod tubes with the same stuff (that will cool the oil just a little, since it's just come from the hotter heads and is dribbling past the cooler cylinder air).

Don't be tempted to install those shiny "cool" aluminium rocker covers. The black VW ones shed more oil heat according to Bob Hoover. Apparently VW offered an Arctic Kit many years ago which included chrome rocker covers to slow the radiation of heat in cold climates.

If it's really needed you can alter the oil cooler doghouse to fit the wider Type 4 oil cooler.

Dave wrote to "Speedy Jim" asking about these methods to increase cooling. Jim wrote back -

Sorry. My personal feeling is that all of those measures are "lily-gilding". Any improvement is likely to be small and probably insignificant.

Many people install a larger oil sump in an attempt to reduce oil temperature. The Gene Berg catalog says that oils sumps aren't really effective in reducing the oil temperature. You only end up with more hot oil. The deep sumps don't have enough surface area to make much cooling difference. They were originally designed to prevent oil surge in hard cornering (racing), not for oil temperature reasons.""


and the debate continues............

my guess is that the thin coats (2) of paint a rattle can applies is nominal and

wont make much if any diff... just protect the surface from corrosion, hopefully.