BPG_Austin

I'd clean them up and leave them alone. They are very presentable and, more importantly, original. The next owner can make that decision. Just my .02.

928mac

I don't know if I believe they were silver.

If they were dose that mean that my engine was silver as well?
Here is the color mine was before I repainted it.
It was a cream color al the way through.

Rob Edwards

My vote would be to leave them as is, they're looking good and have a bit of patina appropriate for a 24.5 year old car. Only original once.

heinrich

I agree

BC

There is no reason to not get new rubber - the idea was about the visual painted surfaces. As well as "what constitutes original and un-restored" and what that means for people.

The consensus seems to be, other than Ken, etc, to leave it.

I think I will do just that unless something else drastic is found. Obviously with new rubber and wires, belts, seals, and some work to make the bolts look shiny and cadmium plated.

928mac

You could leave them, for now, and show the pics to some painters to see if they can match the color. then have them repainted later. I was not trying to say if I thought you should paint them. I was just commenting on what I thought the color was.
How ever you decide I am sure it will be way cool man.
Brad

Mrmerlin

when you refit the cam covers make sure to put a bead of Hondabond 4 into the seal groove then fit the gasket this will stop it from leaking later,
replace the O rings on the elbows and plugs,
Hondabond can be used here as well if the bores are not smooth

BC

Don't like hondabond. Used it before and its like cement when someone else goes in. There are several more professional and great-sealing options.

Mrmerlin

FWIW to remove Hondabond use either a rag or Q tip with acetone, it will neatly remove it, wear gloves.
Hondabond 4 is what I was specifying, its a semipermeable sealing compound, similar to Hylomar and Permatex, but easy to procure at the Honda dealer about 12.00 a 5 oz tube

SteveG

Did you say you were going to sell it? Then leave the covers, but otherwise, I say coat them. Mine were not in this great shape, but I don't think they will stay that way and I regretted not doing it while they were off.

BC

The spare is aluminum. Is that good or bad? Or normal? I don't ever remember seeing them aluminum.

BC

Some new pictures of the low-mile engine - some show interesting info.

The crank case looks basically new:



Valves and most of the ports are also quite clean - no slag or coke on the valves really:

BC

On the issue of the covers, I read the other threads and found the best match for the original color by the company that I can't think of the name right now.

I want to make them look like when it was new.

dcrasta

You teasing us by showing some cleavage ??

Seriously, that looks like a cherry motor. I cant wait to see the rest of it. A S3 5 speed is my dream car!

outbackgeorgia

My 87S4 spare is aluminum
Dave