Headers Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 201
Likes: 68
From: Washington
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,282
Likes: 7,863
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Been there, done that.
didn't work.
Best of luck.
They invented ceramic coating for a reason.
didn't work.
Best of luck.
They invented ceramic coating for a reason.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Carter,
You can use any product you want and paint your headers hot pink if you want. It's your car, your headers, your money.
You don't have to abide by anyone else's critique.
The difference between ceramic coated headers and painted headers is a few hundred dollars. Of course the better quality will last three times longer and to a certain extent, reduce engine bay heat somewhat.
Looking at the photos, its a pretty sure bet the flange that mounts to the cyl head could be on the rough side. You can run a flat file lightly across to remove any high spots and old welds spots. I would also recommend using laminated metal gaskets instead of a fiber gasket. The softer metals such as aluminum will compress and fill-in any imperfections in the flange = a better seal. They are considerably more money ($35+) but last forever and will prevent blow-outs in the future.
You can use any product you want and paint your headers hot pink if you want. It's your car, your headers, your money.
You don't have to abide by anyone else's critique.
The difference between ceramic coated headers and painted headers is a few hundred dollars. Of course the better quality will last three times longer and to a certain extent, reduce engine bay heat somewhat.
Looking at the photos, its a pretty sure bet the flange that mounts to the cyl head could be on the rough side. You can run a flat file lightly across to remove any high spots and old welds spots. I would also recommend using laminated metal gaskets instead of a fiber gasket. The softer metals such as aluminum will compress and fill-in any imperfections in the flange = a better seal. They are considerably more money ($35+) but last forever and will prevent blow-outs in the future.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,926
Likes: 739
From: Youngstown Ohio
Totally agree......Absolutely no header paint will last....period. Not VHT, not Eastwood exhaust coatings, NOTHING. Not for more than a couple years if you drive the car at all. Rust will eventually come through just sitting in the garage if not climate-controlled. VHT is a good choice of paint. but be prepared to re-do it soon. Ceramic coating (inside and out), however, has lasted me over ten years still looking like new.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 201
Likes: 68
From: Washington
Looking at the photos, its a pretty sure bet the flange that mounts to the cyl head could be on the rough side. You can run a flat file lightly across to remove any high spots and old welds spots. I would also recommend using laminated metal gaskets instead of a fiber gasket. The softer metals such as aluminum will compress and fill-in any imperfections in the flange = a better seal. They are considerably more money ($35+) but last forever and will prevent blow-outs in the future.
Totally agree......Absolutely no header paint will last....period. Not VHT, not Eastwood exhaust coatings, NOTHING. Not for more than a couple years if you drive the car at all. Rust will eventually come through just sitting in the garage if not climate-controlled. VHT is a good choice of paint. but be prepared to re-do it soon. Ceramic coating (inside and out), however, has lasted me over ten years still looking like new.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,094
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
There are better header gaskets that rather than having an enclosed bolt hole on the ends the bottom is opened which allows you to put the two end bolts in loosely and dropping the gasket in to put the rest of the bolts in rather than fighting with holding the header and lining up the bolts and holes in the gasket. Gasket failure with headers are a common thing you will WANT these gaskets. Been there done that too many times. 
