Dave ,
I wonder if maybe zinc would satisfy you as a 'replacement' for that chrome .
Eitek1 offered the idea to me a short while ago :
I'm picking up on the back end of the thread so I may not have all the details but have you thought about electrolysis for rust removal? You'd have to take your engine apart to do it but you could follow up with a zinc plating and I'm betting it would look new. Also you wouldn't have to worry about some weird heat retention effect from the coating.
You can do this all in your garage with a little experimenting to make sure your settings and solutions are correct.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electrolytic-Rust-Removal-aka-Magic/
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gxq4rmzfxac
I did a bit more research and came up with the following 'formula' :
"Grepper's summary of what he'd read.
Electroplating occurs in an electrolytic substance of free ions which are the carriers of electric current. Here this is, Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) and Vinegar (acid). Connected to the positive of an electric power source an anode made of zinc, attracting negatively charged ions causing Oxidation. At the negative side of the power source is the cathode, attracting positively charged cations, moving ions away toward the anode. Here it provides electrons to the cations to convert them back to the parent metal (zinc). This process is called reduction.
In short, the zinc leaves the positive side and binds itself to the negative side.
Supplies:
Various measuring cups, postal scale for measuring by weight, copper pipe and wire, and a plastic tub.
Epsom salts (pharmacy section of your local grocery store)
White Vinegar (baking section of your local grocery store)
Zinc Sulfate (available online, reduces time and increases quality of the plating)
Karo brand corn syrup. (baking section of your local grocery store, contains glucose that acts as a brightener by keeping the zinc crystals in alignment)
Zinc Anode, (online or in home stores in desert climates as it’s used for evaporative (swamp) coolers)
A DC Power Supply, low amps (1A to 300mA).
Solution:
4.5 liters water ( 1.18 Gallons )
300 grams Epsom salts ( 10.58 Ounces )
100 grams zinc sulfate ( 3.53 Ounces )
200ml of white vinegar ( .85 Cups )
1/3 bottle of corn syrup
Stir in plastic tub till dissolved.
Setup:
Suspend Zinc Anode(s) in solution and hook up to positive of DC Power Supply.
Have copper bar go across top of the plastic tub, copper wires wrapped around bar, so you can suspend parts in solution without touching Zinc Anode(s)."
I'm sure it wouldn't be as shiny / reflective as chrome , but it'd be fairly durable and it seems pretty cheap to accomplish .
Pete .
