Removing paint off a shovelhead engine?

[Cimino289]

Ive got a 1984 shovelhead motor that the cases were painted black at the factory. I was just wonder what is the best way to remove this stuff. If it helps the motor is already out of the frame on a stand and the heads are off( They needed to be sand blasted). Ive heard that aircraft stripper works, but others have said it will discolor the case. Ive also heard Dot 3 brake fluid but I havent heard any more responses about that one. Any input is appreciated. Im just looking to take the paint off the bottom end and not do anything else.

[Tattooo]

It's not going to look very good no matter what you do unless you take it apart and blast it.....

Yes you can get the paint off but it will be iffy in the corners.......

[JBinNC]

It's powder coat, and it don't come off easy. I just stripped a set of '82 cases by glass beading and there were times I wish I had never started on them.

Jim

[Tattooo]

It's powder coat, and it don't come off easy. I just stripped a set of '82 cases by glass beading and there were times I wish I had never started on them.

Jim

Are you sure it's powder coat????? If that's right when did they start that..... My 79 FXS was black wrinkle paint....... Just curious......

Here is a pic of the motor after sitting for 25 years in a dirt floor shed.......

[JBinNC]

At least as far back as '80. My '80 FLH had the cases and inner primary powder coated black. It is not a wrinkle finish. If yours had a wrinkle finish, I don't think it was factory applied.

Jim

[Cimino289]

I was pretty sure it was paint. I really dont want to bust the cases on this motor unless I really have to. the heads are kind of eh they need some sprucing up but the bottom end is solid.

[Tattooo]

If yours had a wrinkle finish, I don't think it was factory applied. Jim

So you have never seen Black wrinkle paint on a Harley motor?????

Oh yea it's original...... It's a 15,500 mile original paint bike..... Nothing had been changed or taken further apart until I started taking it apart to restore it........ Even the calipers were clean inside no corrosion.... It was an awesome bike to restore....... You should be so lucky to work on such an unmolested bike....

The guy that bought it new started taking it apart to find a short in the wiring because it had stopped running, then he got cancer and died 6 months later....... After 25 years of being apart his mother donated it to her church...... I found the short he was looking for he didn't take it apart enough..... It still had the original electronic ignition in it..... That wasn't the problem.....

The painted parts were hung on the wall luckily......

Here it is...... I did a restore thread over on JJ but the mods pulled it because of jealousy.....