E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Wheels, Tires, Brakes, Suspension & Steering => Topic started by: 7E-Bodies on February 16, 2021, 10:34:05 AM

Title: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: 7E-Bodies on February 16, 2021, 10:34:05 AM
I'm fortunate to have a superb powder coat shop nearby. I tested him out by letting him do my k frame and he far exceeded expectations. I'd like to give him a larger batch of parts on the next round. I'm looking for suggestions on all parts that should be semi gloss to match my k frame (motor mount brackets are one thing). Also I'm mainly wondering if blasting and baking at 800 degrees would have an undesirable affect on the torsion bars (440 car, original parts).
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: gzig5 on February 16, 2021, 10:53:36 AM
Annealing temp for steel is around 1400F so it should be OK.  I thought powder coat cured around 400F?  Or is the 800 part of the cleaning process?
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: Cuda_mark on February 16, 2021, 11:05:35 AM
Arent PST's torsion bars powder coated? I'd be more worried about sand blasting them. You might be better off chemically stripping them.
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: 7E-Bodies on February 16, 2021, 11:33:10 AM
@gzig5 (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/gzig5_1624) you may be correct. I may be basing his job on my k frame where he said he'd bake it at 800. That may have been to assure it was clean of all oil/grease.
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: 7E-Bodies on February 16, 2021, 11:36:11 AM
@Cuda_mark (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/cudamark_677) you're the second one I've heard that from. Interesting. I'd have no problem getting some stripper to do this with (no pun intended, lol). I really want to be sure not to goof up these original parts. They are in super shape as this car was stored indoors most of it's life and only has 64k miles.
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: Spikedog08 on February 16, 2021, 11:50:43 AM
I think the powder coating goes to about 300* . . should work! 
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: Brads70 on February 16, 2021, 12:38:00 PM
Should be no problem but be prepared to have to grind it off on the hex's  as sometimes its on thick enough to no got in as it should.  :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: Cuda_mark on February 16, 2021, 01:02:57 PM
If they are in good shape, you might want to just consider leaving them alone. The factory dipped originals have very characteristic drips along the bottom edge of how they were sitting as they dried. Kind of a cool feature that only mopar nuts would pick up on.
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: 7E-Bodies on February 16, 2021, 01:04:56 PM
@Cuda_mark (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/cudamark_677) I'll get them out and have a closer look at them along with a good cleaning. Good advice.
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: anlauto on February 16, 2021, 01:15:11 PM
Quote from: Brads70 on February 16, 2021, 12:38:00 PM
Should be no problem but be prepared to have to grind it off on the hex's  as sometimes its on thick enough to no got in as it should.  :alan2cents:

Yea, I would tell them not to powder coats the ends  :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: dodj on February 16, 2021, 02:18:15 PM
Can powder coat survive the twisting of the bar?  :dunno:
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: 7E-Bodies on February 16, 2021, 04:26:45 PM
@dodj (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/dodj_816) excellent point.
Title: Re: Torsion Bar Blast/Powder Coat-Yay or Nay?
Post by: BFM_Cuda on February 16, 2021, 05:16:43 PM
Quote from: dodj on February 16, 2021, 02:18:15 PM
Can powder coat survive the twisting of the bar?  :dunno:

I would be shocked if it couldn't. They won't twist that much.
I would powder coat them without a second thought.   :alan2cents: