a new paint job. Ok heres what I want to do. I want to unbolt the head to paint it.(22r) But what i want to know is...can i just unbolt it paint it and put in a new head gasket when i close it up? Is it that easy? Make it kinda look like an LC kit. I know a pretty good amount about engines and stuff but Ive never really done something this extreme. I did help my friend put a new head gasket in his j**p and it didnt look all that hard.

 

You must be talking about the valve cover ...? If so, yes. Just remove the bolts and hoses etc. You may consider powder coating it. They would sandblast and give a nice durable finish in a ton of colors too. Prices have come way down so call around for estimates. I hand polished my old Datsun 510 valve cover. It was smooth aluminum and it looked like chrome. Dual 40 Dellorto side drafts, cam, headers, big Z valves...damn...I miss that car. Good luck with your project.
butnut

 

Unless you suspect your head gasket is dead or dying leave it alone. You would have to un-do the timing chain and re-set the timing again so you might as well put metal guides in while you are there. If there is no reason to suspect the head gasket you can pretty up the valve cover and put on a new VC gasket without upsetting the timing and tearing the engine 2/3rds of the way down.

 

The demo 3.4 engine they were showing at Fred Haas Toyota in Houston had the valve covers painted red. It looked awesome.

Pete

 

I meant the valvue cover....lol i dont know why I was thinking head. Thanks butnut.

 

Take a looksee at Mark's cover.

Leonel also has some rad pics of his 22RE that has a nice cover on it to give you some ideas.
http://home.pacbell.net/kenfong/pics/leonel/bling01.jpg

http://home.pacbell.net/kenfong/pics/leonel/bling02.jpg



Also check out Brian Trager's covers here.

I asked him when I took these pics where he got his custom covers and he said they are stock.
He had them powder coated the alloy color. They look boss.
Corey

 

I think painting it is a bad idea. I would recomend powder coating and it is cheaper than you think. My roomate powder coated his valve cover for less than 25 bucks. That included sand blasting and it came out really nice looking.

 

Thanks for the help, Im gonna look up a powerder coat guy and send a bunch of stuff to him when Im ready.