Barrel renovation

[Dibble]

Probably sounds like a daft question but im ready to renovate A65 barrels and they will need boring and rear head bolt thread upgrade (to 3/8) so visit to machine shop. Would you wise people first blast and stove enamal or do that bit last? Sorry if it sounds like a forgone conclusion but sometimes....!
Thanks Dave

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Whilst pondering this dilemma have good look at the lower front of the barrels where there are air passages that go between the cylinders and out past the cam follower casting.
These can be partially obstructed by bits of casting and in one case I found a 'skin' of what looked like a very thin skin of cast iron completely blocked the bottom two air passages. A sharp tap with a punch knocked it through. Also check at the rear as the outlets for this now very hot air can also be obstructed.
Check again after powder coating/painting just in case.

Dave.

[Gup holland]

I just did it last week, barrel painting. I did the old fashion way, al by hand, took a day, next day i painted it with a thin brush to come diep between the ribs, and used a piece of felt to paint between the ribs.
What i discovered after 30 years is that one bottom of the thread hole is open, never had an oil leak there.
Maybe someone had once a too long bolt? It is the one in the middle when a flashed a light through i saw the light. (Picture)

It's now ready to mount.

[V500]

Probably sounds like a daft question but im ready to renovate A65 barrels and they will need boring and rear head bolt thread upgrade (to 3/8) so visit to machine shop. Would you wise people first blast and stove enamal or do that bit last?

Is stove enamelling even available now?
Personally I'd degrease and/or blast prior, then when all the renovation work is done spray (not brush) with hi-temp engine paint.