F.I. Unit Restoration Questions

[Tim S.]

I am starting to gather information for the restoration of my 63 L84. I feel comfortable with my abilities with the mechanical end of the unit. I do have a few questions about cosmetics.

1. How does a person deal with the rivets retaining the data tag? Any tips for restoring the tag itself? Here's a pic



2. Between the plenum and plenum lid, what is the preferred method of restoring the proper appearance? It seems to me reskinning looks a little too perfect. Here is what I have to deal with.



3. Same question as #2, but pertaining to the air meter and fuel meter.

Not to take anything away from people like JD or Jerry Bramlett, I just like to do as much as I can myself.

Thanks,

Tim

[Bruce B.]

Re: F.I. Unit Restoration Questions

Tim,

In my humble opinion, this is one job which is better left up to the "experts".

Bruce B

[Don H.]

Re: F.I. Unit Restoration Questions

Tim,
There are many possibilities, a couple are to chemically clean or bead blast (frowned on by many here) all the aluminum. I have never priced the re-skinning but assume it would be expensive to do an entire unit although it sure does look nice. The mechanical end is fairly straight forward but it is the little things that can get you. I am starting to re-assemble a very rough 7017375 unit and find I am constantly learning new things. For example it was discussed here recently to put some Loctite on the antisiphan valve before installing, they can (rarely) come out. I have never done that in the past but will on this unit. Let me know if you want to discuss anything further. Good luck, Don H.

[Paul Y.]

Re: F.I. Unit Restoration Questions

Tim,
There are many possibilities, a couple are to chemically clean or bead blast (frowned on by many here) all the aluminum. I have never priced the re-skinning but assume it would be expensive to do an entire unit although it sure does look nice. The mechanical end is fairly straight forward but it is the little things that can get you. I am starting to re-assemble a very rough 7017375 unit and find I am constantly learning new things. For example it was discussed here recently to put some Loctite on the antisiphan valve before installing, they can (rarely) come out. I have never done that in the past but will on this unit. Let me know if you want to discuss anything further. Good luck, Don H.

I have been worrking on and restoring these units for almost 35 years. I have put over a hundred thousand miles on one unit. Ten thousand have been in the last three years. I am glad to help anyone who is wanting to work on their own unit. They are pretty basic and straighforward but I have to say that Brian Futo got me started on the right path. He is a genius and was always glad to help. I am willing to pass it on. There are little things that one picks up that will help you to restore a better unit. It you specialize in one unit(like your own) you can learn all you need to know to have a great experience with it. I just love Rochester Fuel Injection units.

[George J.]

Re: F.I. Unit Restoration Questions

I prefer the natural aluminum finish. I would just clean it up and restore it mechanically.

George

[Timothy B.]

Re: F.I. Unit Restoration Questions

I second Geroge's opinion, just clean it up and do the mechanical work. It looks good to me..