Powdercoating transfer case?

[geeeee89]

Doing a rebuild on a spare 241c I have and it’s filthy. I want to powder coat it while I have it torn down so it’s easier to keep clean.

Is it safe to get the case halves powder coated? Or will it weaken them too much? I’ve seen them done before so I’m assuming/hoping it’s safe to do.

2nd question - I have everything completely disassembled except for the annular gear that the planetary rides on. Can I leave this in place when it’s getting powder coated? I’m afraid I’ll damage it trying to remove it so if I can’t leave it while it’s in the oven then I’ll just spray paint the case.

Here’s the gear I’m talking about. I’ll remove the bearing beforehand

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[b454rat]

How would powder coat weaken it? I'd just clean it really good and spray bomb it aluminum. cheaper and easier.

 

[Hipster]

We used to have Harley cases with them bolted together and cylinders powdercoated BEFORE machine work. As far as cases go, If they don't make a super clean job of it which is labor intensive and powdercoating ends up in bore and bolt holes it makes assembly a total PITA. I would skip powdercoating the transfer case. The powdercoat baking process raises the temp higher then these parts see in regular operation and why we bolted and torqued down case halves. It doesn't take much to warp aluminum sometimes.

 

[98chevy2500SS]

Honestly I wouldn't powercoat it.

 

[454cid]

Seems like a waste of time, money, and effort to me.

 

[geeeee89]

How would powder coat weaken it? I'd just clean it really good and spray bomb it aluminum. cheaper and easier.

I wasn’t sure how the baking process would affect the aluminum housing. I’ll spray it as a last resort but I want it to look good and be really smooth and glossy so it’s easier to keep clean.

We used to have Harley cases with them bolted together and cylinders powdercoated BEFORE machine work. As far as cases go, If they don't make a super clean job of it which is labor intensive and powdercoating ends up in bore and bolt holes it makes assembly a total PITA. I would skip powdercoating the transfer case. The powdercoat baking process raises the temp higher then these parts see in regular operation and why we bolted and torqued down case halves. It doesn't take much to warp aluminum sometimes.

Yea I’ll make sure they blast it really well before hand and not powder any bolt holes or mating surfaces. The place I use did a bellhousing and a crossmember for me and did a good job. The high temps of the baking process is what I was worried about but I haven’t read anything definitive about it hurting them. I’ve only seen pics of ones already done

Honestly I wouldn't powercoat it.

Any reasons why not?

Seems like a waste of time, money, and effort to me.

It will be like 100 bucks and it’s someone else’s time and effort. Then the transfer case looks awesome and is way easier to keep clean. What’s the problem?

 

[1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2]

I know nothing about this so I'm asking more for my knowledge - Is the bare aluminum of the transfer case beneficial or required to dissipate heat? Does powder coating negatively effect the heat transfer and dissipation properties of the aluminum? Would it hold heat in? Does the transfer case share fluid with the transmission and therefore heat isn't a concern?

 

[geeeee89]

I know nothing about this so I'm asking more for my knowledge - Is the bare aluminum of the transfer case beneficial or required to dissipate heat? Does powder coating negatively effect the heat transfer and dissipation properties of the aluminum? Would it hold heat in? Does the transfer case share fluid with the transmission and therefore heat isn't a concern?

I’m not sure about the heat dissipation but I don’t see why it would hold in an amount of heat that would cause any damage.

The transfer case uses its own fluid. I doubt there would be any heat issues during operation. I was just slightly concerned about the heat in the powder coating process causing harm to the case halves.

 

[454cid]

Powdercoat it.... you've already made up your mind to do so.

 

[geeeee89]

Powdercoat it.... you've already made up your mind to do so.

Yea, I have, but I’m looking for input in regard to my initial question. I’m okay with the price and effort to do so, all I want to know is if the case can get damaged in anyway during the powder coat process.