As the title says, I've got some kind of heat shields around a single-piston, air cooled Kholer K241 and I've been experimenting with Nickel-plating the bolts for corrosion resistance. Some research says it imparts heat resistance and I always liked the look of Nickel... would it give any benefit? And is there some kind of clear coating I can add on top to REALLY make it tough?
There is clear powdercoating as an option. I don't know about nickel electroplating, but if it's similar to anodizing, it's worthwhile. Part of me was tempting to anodize a ton of connecting hardware on the challenge build, because concourse points, but it would add about 2 days to most build aspects between prep and run time.
In reply to GIRTHQUAKE :
It is corrosion resistant, and will work particularly well on the heat shield itself. Be careful with threaded hardware though, as is adds enough dimension to make the thread class change towards tighter. Also due to its slipperyness it can make hardware loosen off more easily. On a single cylinder that bares consideration.
In reply to TurnerX19 :
I know it would thicken the bolts, but I didn't think it would make them smoother. I don't really need to coat them in anything; I just wanted to make sure it was easily serviced and never stuck in. They're pretty high quality hardware for the 70s- should I even bother with anything, or just do something like a thin coat of paint instead?
The biggest benefit to nickel is appearance, with corrosion resistance close behind. I like it, but use Loctite on any single cylinder engine hardware no mater what treatment you use.
Old outboards would have nickel plating on the exterior of the cylinders and other bits. Withstood water and heat fairly well.
The flywheel and cylinder of these guys were plated and they last damn near 100 years
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