Discoloration of Viper logo on valve covers

[Vipergtsbob]

I noticed that the "viper" logo on the engine valve covers appears to be acquiring a blackish discoloration/corrosion on the satin chrome finish. What are the valve covers made of and what is a safe cleaner/solvent/polish to clean this discoloration. Any help would be appreciated.
Bob Carroll

 

[Geoff Green]

Try using 400 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper and removing the tarnish once or twice a year.

 

[Vipergtsbob]

Geoff,
Do you know if the letters and valve covers are metal, composite or plastic? THey seem to be metal or alloy of some sort. Thanks for the reply.
Bob Carroll

 

[Geoff Green]

Bob, The letters are part of the covers and they are aluminum or some cast metal. The tarnish comes off rather easily. Geoff

 

[JonB]

FRANK is correct.

Viper valve covers are indeed MAGNESIUM! (And so were the intake manifolds of 92-93...and apparently the firewall of 2003, in a weight-saving quest?!)

I use a metal cleaner like BRASSO or Mothers to keep them clean. I hate sanding Magnesium, esp near possible fuel/vapors !!

 

[Jay Herbert]

A little scotch bright will remove the oxidation from the aluminum valve covers lettering. The raised letters are cast in.

This is one that Jon B. and I have cordially agreed to disagree on.

Viper intakes and valve covers are and always have been, aluminum. Early intakes were assembled (read welded) up of several components, in the '93-'94 time frame the intake went to a single piece cored casting. Tuners feel the earlier intakes were easier to make flow better. There were(are) some magnesium parts on the Viper Engine, but as I recall they are bracketry.

 

[JonB]

Jay- "Partial Credit" my friend!

One of my huge tasks for my new Partsrack job is to locate (!)recover, catalogue, and file all the faxes, E-mails, letters, and "STUFF" since my earliest Viper days.... I honestly could write one HUGE book!

I just re-read one OLD note from Team V on the magnesium intake and valvecovers! It was reply to my question about same. But Jay is right on this: The P/S bracket 92-present, and the serpentine idler tensioner bracket Gen-I are/were Magnesium. As was the 92-93 hi-flow "4-rib Mag intake.

 

[Geoff Green]

With how quickly they corrode I would think that they are Magnesium. We could sand some off and mix 3 parts Potassium Nitrate and 2 parts Magnesium and see what kind of bomb it produces.

 

[Rich Detert]

Is that how you make a bomb out of a Viper?

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[FRANK]

I have been told by a Viper tech that they are magnesium...

 

[Vipergtsbob]

Thanks to all for all the great advice. Sorry to highlight the aluminum v. magnisium differences from our highly respected experts. Well I will break out the scotch brite or #400 grit and start grinding away. How about a contest for the best suggested sealer/coating? So far we have nail polish,and solder; any other items gang??
Thanks again for all the responses
Bob Carroll
NJVCA