The header pipes on my PF coupe (128D) look spotty with rust an corrosion. I'd like to have them coated, so I have some questions: -Were these coated originally or naked? -What color, assuming you have choices? -Any shop recommendations? -Is there an alternative to coating them, the rattle can paint I applied just didn't last? Thanks in advance. john
It may be possible to clean them very very well and then hand-coat them with ATF (Ford worked in the day). After re-installation, fire that sucker up and drive it around for a while. This works best on newly-made headers. Of course, if the car is never driven out of some air-conditioned vault just have them powder-coated to look pretty. jocko
John: I looked quickly through a number of factory yearbooks for engine photos, and it appears that, in the early 1960s, the headers were originally unpainted. By 1966, the Formula 1 cars had white painted headers. I do have a photo of a 275 GTB/4 on the assembly line with WHITE PAINTED HEADERS! Wouldn't that just set the concours judges hair on fire.
Thanks. The PF coupe must be the first road model with the exhaust heat shields, and if you have them on, there is no need to do anything to the headers, really, cause they get completely concealed. But I don't like them on cause they block visibility and are a hindrance (like the belly pan). Dyke, I think the white finish came around the 1960's. john
John, I have no idea what would be correct for your car, but Dyke's idea of makin' the judges crazy is sort of appealing. On my mid-year 'Vettes, I've always used the exhaust paint sold by Bill Hirsh, tho' it's actually incorrect for judging there, too. However, it's easy to apply (just wire brush the headers and paint it on), very, very long lasting and looks great. I was worried that it would be too shiny and look cheezy, but it looks great. Send a PM if you'd like picture from one of my applications. Disclaimer: Bill Hirsh only sends me 20% of each sale of this stuff I generate. steve
At Tom Y.s suggestion I Jet Coated my headers and boy did that make a difference heat in the cabin wise.
So, Jet-Hot may be the way to go. Yale, Ed, have you had yours long enough to vouch for quality and longevity? Steve, I tried the high temp exhaust paint, I don't remember if it was the same brand as yours, but it lasted no time at all. Maybe I should've sandblasted the headers before applying the paint. john
I Jet-Hoted my cast iron exhaust manifolds a nice satin black on my 65 E-type 15 years ago and they look as good today as the day I put them on. I would not have been able to say that had I gone with the OEM finish of a porcelain coating which would have cracked shortly after. Tom
Hi John, I have used Jet Hot on many cars, it is very durable looks good and is supposed to contain more of the heat in the headers. I would recommend it. Aloha, Mark
Yeah, I've had great success with the Hirsch stuff, so I've never used another brand. Not only does it look good for years when painted on the headers, but it lasts for years in the can. About a month ago, I made a boo-boo and accidentally melted part of a plastic battery tender on the exhaust manifold of my '67 'Vette...just a clumsy stupid move. Anyhow, after I removed the debris, the manifold was scarred, so I just touched up the area with paint I'd opened for another project about 2 years ago. Can't tell the touch up from the original area, which is about 5 years older. Here's the link: http://www.hirschauto.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EMPT-PINT&variation=CST%20IRN%20GR You needn't be Picasso when you apply this stuff and I put two coats on the headers when they were off the car. Either a cheap paint brush or sponge brush will look professional once the manifold heats up for the final cure. I had the side pipes on my Kirkham/Cobra done by Jet Hot and they look awesome, and have for 8 years. If you're going to try to get some heat reduction, that's the way to go, but if it's just looks and especially under a heat shield, Jet Hot is lots of $$$. s
Thanks everyone. Steve, how did you prep the pipes before applying Hirsch? The ad says the surface need be cleaned or sand blasted. john
Hi John...i just wire brushed the exhaust manifolds (by hand where i couldn't get the wheel) on both of the 'Vettes. Not sand blasted. Wiped off thoroughly with lacquer thinner, then painted. If I can do it, anyone can. I can shoot some pix if you'd like, when I get time. s
Well, today I learned that Hirsch's black 2000 degree paint is worthless crap. After just a 15-minute high speed run it flaked off like potato chips. I even sand blasted the headers just before application of the paint to give it an advantage. What big waste of time. john Image Unavailable, Please Login
Really, really sorry to hear that. I didn't use the black, I used the cast iron gray. I'm gonna write Hirsch and demand my $5 referral fee be returned. Wonder why it failed so miserably. s
Funny, five dollars... not your fault, Steve. It could be that Ferrari heasders get hotter. The gray paint is good only for 1600 degrees, not that it would make a differnece. Anyway, stuff is crap as far as I'm concerned. john
John: We are old school. We use VHT Hi-Temp paint and it works well both on the street and vintage race Ferraris. Black in color.
What are the Ferrari headers made of? The 'Vette headers, that I painted, are cast iron. Wonder if that might account for the huge disrecpancy in success. I just feel terrible that I recommended this stuff and it was disaster. s
Don't feel bad, Steve. I think cast Iron might dampen the heat better than the thin gauge mild steel Ferrari used. Maybe that's why yours has held up. I think I'll brush the chips off and try Dyke's VHT Hi-Temp since the headers are still pretty clean from the sand blasting. Ed, who did your coating? john
Powder coating done locally here in Monterey. If you go paint, I think VHF sells super hi temp paint. Check with auto zone. Ed
I'll bet it's the difference between the steel and cast iron. Shot a quick picture of one of the 'Vette's exhaust manifolds, painted at least 5 years ago. Concentrate on the header, not the oil on the valve cover or the chronically leaky Holley with its tell-tale gasoline pool in an intake valley!s Image Unavailable, Please Login
You might investigate the Eastwood hi-temp paints. I've heard that they are excellent products. Exhaust Paint - Ceramic Coating Exhaust - Exhaust Coatings - Eastwood Bob Z.
