Michael H

I'm in the process of cleaning the bell housing and transmission on my 63 project car. Can anyone recommend the best way to get these looking good & clean? I've degreased and cleaned up, but they still look liek crap. I'd rather not go to the trouble to glass bead the bell housing, as I don't think that's the finish I want.

What is the right way to restore these to their original finish (both bell housing and trans ) . I'm getting the engine out of the shop soon and want to be ready to put everything back together....

Thanks in advance

Easy Rhino

I will someday need to know how to do this as well, so I'll give you a bump.

69z28&ss396

The best method I've found to use, other than sending them away to be professionally restored, is get some warm soapy water, some 00 or 000 fine steel wool and scrub away. Use lots of elbow grease and you will be amazed at the results. That's what I do to all my aluminum parts. Good luck!

Nowhere Man

If you get them media blasted with walnut shells or plastic media at low pressure it turns out great

DansYellow66

If you can find it - might try treating it with "Navel Jelly for Aluminum". It's pretty hard to find, a hardware store is a possibility. It won't make it look like new but it should improve it.

jimh_1962

Aircraft cleaner or stripper works well. You can get it a autozone. The other thing which worked well was simple green or degreaser, a good brush and a power washer. That will cut the grease and will come out very clean. Then lastly go over with carb cleaner or brake cleaner.

Comes out nice but still you will see the wear. If you want that gone then media blast it.

Wayne1964

Spray 9 works well. But you have de greased it. I might be wrong but I don't think the transmission was painted. Think of the old finish like a good glass of wine. . Enjoy it.
Post a pic. Good luck.

Michael H

Paint removed with Aircraft stripper, degreased with diesel fuel, cleaned up with Brillo pads.

Still thinking about glass beading, but I kind of like this finish.

anyone have some pictures / examples?



and here is the trans - still needs some cleaning up.




Almost ready to reassemble and put back on the frame.

Gary's '66

I was going to paint my bell housing but I liked the way it looked raw as well and, since I don't plan on having my car judged, I sprayed it with Hi Temp clear. I think it looks good with the raw aluminum trans.

jimh_1962

The bell housing looks good! A little more elbow grease on the transmission. If it was me, I would leave it raw and not paint it or sandblast it.

Wayne1964

I found liquid Comet seemed to work well from the $$ stor