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Glowhead And Cylinder Fin Repair
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Glowhead And Cylinder Fin Repair
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.
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.
NEW222- Diamond Member
- Posts : 1386
Join date : 2011-08-13
Age : 39
Location : oakbank, mb
balogh- Diamond Member
- Posts : 1807
Join date : 2011-11-06
Age : 59
Location : Budapest
Re: Glowhead And Cylinder Fin Repair
That sounds right. I will use a dull knife, probably a table knife. That will improve the cooling slightly, it is not purely cosmetic.
David Ingham- Silver Member
- Posts : 83
Join date : 2017-03-30
Age : 75
Location : Mountsin View, California, USA
Re: Glowhead And Cylinder Fin Repair
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.
NEW222- Diamond Member
- Posts : 1386
Join date : 2011-08-13
Age : 39
Location : oakbank, mb
Re: Glowhead And Cylinder Fin Repair
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. 

GallopingGhostler- Diamond Member
- Posts : 1212
Join date : 2013-07-13
Age : 64
Location : Clovis, New Mexico
Re: Glowhead And Cylinder Fin Repair
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.
David Ingham- Silver Member
- Posts : 83
Join date : 2017-03-30
Age : 75
Location : Mountsin View, California, USA
Re: Glowhead And Cylinder Fin Repair
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.
coxaddict- Gold Member
- Posts : 203
Join date : 2013-01-27
Location : north shore oahu, Hawaii
Re: Glowhead And Cylinder Fin Repair
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.
Oldenginerod- Diamond Member
- Posts : 2079
Join date : 2012-06-15
Age : 55
Location : Victoria, Australia

» Cylinder Block Pattern & Cores
» Wildheart and Magic Cylinder
» Cylinder 5 misfire
» Cylinder Block Assembly
» 2" Cylinder cleading
» Wildheart and Magic Cylinder
» Cylinder 5 misfire
» Cylinder Block Assembly
» 2" Cylinder cleading
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