Ugly manifolds
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
Ugly manifolds
Brand new engine. Cleaned up engine compartment. I ran out of money right now to get a nice set of headers, so for now I'm putting the old manifolds back on. Apparently Bubba had my car before and actually welded the A.I.R. tubes into the manifolds, so removing the tubes and plugging the holes is out of the question. In short, anybody know any way to CHEAPLY clean up my manifolds just to make 'em look a little better. I don't need a permanent fix, just something to make them look good for the time being.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Go to a local hardware store and see if you like any of the colors of BBQ grill paint. That stuff usually has a high temp rating, and while it may not last forever it might last long enough to hold you over until you can afford the headers.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: SAN CLEMENTE CALIFORNIA
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Blast them and shoot them with VHT. The aftermarket providers all carry several different products for manifolds. Pick your favorite. They left the engine assembly plant as unpainted castings.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
If you want cheap and temporary, then rub them good with steel wool, then simple green or other cleaner, and then spray with BBQ grill paint or other hi temp silver or black paint. If you decide to keep em, then sndblast in n out and aluminum coat to permanently eliminate rust and discoloration- about $100 .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,962
Likes: 3,320
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I've been using Calyx for years. Great stuff...........
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
it never ends...) and connected the motor mounts, then it was off to marching band. I'm really hoping to get it ready to fire tomorrow night after I get off work.But ya, I'm eyeing up a beautiful pair of Tri-Y's from Stan's Headers. From what I've heard, they're well worth the price tag. I think they'll round out my dual exhaust and new motor nicely.
I think I'm just gonna steel wool them and use some high-temp spray on paint for now.
I'll try and post some pictures of the hopefully finished product tomorrow night.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
If they are out of the car, just look in the business directory for someone who does sand or media blasting. Shooting two manifolds is easy, if you have the right equipment. It shouldn't cost much, either. As soon as they are shot, put them in plastic bags to keep air and moisture away [as much as possible]. Have whatever high-temp paint you choose should be ready to go when you get home. Wipe them off with chemical cleaner (paint thinner, etc.)....use no water, if at all possible. Then paint 'em up. Follow paint instructions. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
If they are out of the car, just look in the business directory for someone who does sand or media blasting. Shooting two manifolds is easy, if you have the right equipment. It shouldn't cost much, either. As soon as they are shot, put them in plastic bags to keep air and moisture away [as much as possible]. Have whatever high-temp paint you choose should be ready to go when you get home. Wipe them off with chemical cleaner (paint thinner, etc.)....use no water, if at all possible. Then paint 'em up. Follow paint instructions. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
You can use sand on cast iron manifolds, because the sand won't "eat" the thick cast material very quickly. Small steel shot would be a better media [not as agressive], but sand will work OK on them. It's really pretty easy to do if you have a sealed cabinet to work in. Just put the manifold in the cabinet, fire up the compressor/air pump, point and shoot. The rust/corrosion will just clean right up and in a couple of minutes you will have a good technique going. Gee, not only can you learn a new skill...you can have a bonding session with good ol' Dad. What a deal! [And you get your manifolds cleaned up.] Don't forget to seal them in airtight baggies when you shoot them. Clean cast iron will start to rust in minutes!
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
My dad's a body man that does repairs for BMW and also restores Corvettes in the same shop. He's got a sand blaster, but it's kind of hard to get him to do anything for me. I don't want to do it myself, because I don't know how to work the equipment. I'll see if I can get him to do it for me.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Are yours casted or tube? My 80 came with tube headers and the A.I.R. tubes were welded. The same for the 81's Ive seen. I just happen to have 2 sets of these sitting in the garage. These are stock factory shorty headers.
Last edited by 3rd_Vette; Sep 8, 2007 at 07:21 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
You can use sand on cast iron manifolds, because the sand won't "eat" the thick cast material very quickly. Small steel shot would be a better media [not as agressive], but sand will work OK on them. It's really pretty easy to do if you have a sealed cabinet to work in. Just put the manifold in the cabinet, fire up the compressor/air pump, point and shoot. The rust/corrosion will just clean right up and in a couple of minutes you will have a good technique going. Gee, not only can you learn a new skill...you can have a bonding session with good ol' Dad. What a deal! [And you get your manifolds cleaned up.] Don't forget to seal them in airtight baggies when you shoot them. Clean cast iron will start to rust in minutes!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
Oil on the fresh surface is a good idea...if you are trying to preserve them during storage. But you'll just have to clean them off again when you paint. Just bag them up quick so you can keep moist air away from them until you paint. They shouldn't rust [very quickly] if sealed in a plastic bag (heck, use the wife's SpaceBag when she's not looking).
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,381
Likes: 789
From: Redondo Beach, California
