Glowhead And Cylinder Fin Repair

NEW222 on Tue Apr 10, 2018 12:56 pm

I thought I saw a topic here somewhere before about repairing damaged cylinder fins and glowhead fins, but after a search, nothing I saw was there. I vaguley remember something with a screwdriver, but cannot be certain. I have a couple glowheads that I want to make shiny again, but the fins are bent in spots. I did try using a small screwdriver, but was starting to see other fins bending. So. I thought I would throw in cylinder fins as well in this thread to share how others here had repaired them in the past.

As for plier marks on the cylinder fins, I am assuming a file would clean those up and one could 're-blue' the edges, or as I seem to remember someone saying a Sharpie marker works as well for color. The aluminum glowheads would file very easy with the head in a rotary too then touch up with sandpaper.

If you know of or have any tips and tricks for repairs, please feel free to share them here.

balogh on Tue Apr 10, 2018 2:25 pm

Small dents on head fins can be repaired by pushing a kitchen knife blade between dented fins and then cautiously rolling the head down along the knife edge. Twisting the knife butt where the dent was can finish the repair with almost flat fins without visible dents.

David Ingham on Tue Apr 10, 2018 4:25 pm

That sounds right. I will use a dull knife, probably a table knife. That will improve the cooling slightly, it is not purely cosmetic.

NEW222 on Tue Apr 10, 2018 4:35 pm

Great tip. I would have not thought of using a knife like that. Much better than me trying to twist a small flat screwdriver between the fins causing more damage.

GallopingGhostler on Tue Apr 10, 2018 5:22 pm

Thanks for sharing, balogh, I've done similar but with a pocket knife. I've found one has to be careful with fins on the OK Cubs. Aluminum is more brittle and sometimes the aluminum cylinder head fins will break rather than straighten. Sad

David Ingham on Tue Apr 10, 2018 5:29 pm

Annealing it by heating might reverse the work hardening of the original bend, but I don't know if the heat would damage the head.

coxaddict on Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:11 pm

I've powder coated glow plugs at 400deg,F and ruined the glow element. so now I just powder coat burned out plugs for display purposes.

Oldenginerod on Wed Apr 11, 2018 5:43 am

Just rolling a knife along the cylinder or head has always worked just fine for me. Done a few just with a Stanley Knife. Once it's in the bottom of the slot just tweek it one way until the fin's straight. Good enough.

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