Painted Headers, Would you?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Painted Headers, Would you?
Cracked exhaust mainfold on my base 73 350. Good time to upgrade to some headers for a few more hp, right? More hp is the only reason I'm thinking about doing this. Chrome and ceramic is big $$$$ for this nice but mostly all stock driver. SO what about painted headers. Paint I'm sure will burn off pretty soon. So what are the other pros and cons. Who's done this (painted)and what are your thoughts. Is the extra hp worth it orshould just get the manifold repaired/replaced.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,357
Likes: 427
From: Seattle Area WA
Personally for a rather stock driver I would stick with stock manifolds for hassle free driving and a good dual exhaust system. 1Aauto.com has the new offshore made ones for $49 each.
If you decide to go with painted headers, you need to sandblast off the stock paint, and carefully follow the instructions with the VHT paint. You might want to consider using the ceramic paint on the insides too. Try their web site for more info.
If you decide to go with painted headers, you need to sandblast off the stock paint, and carefully follow the instructions with the VHT paint. You might want to consider using the ceramic paint on the insides too. Try their web site for more info.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 2
From: Huntingburg Indiana
Just don't buy that eastwood header paint. It's overpriced junk. I had brand new hedmans down to bare metal and clean and painted them. Within a month of putting them on my truck, the paint rusted through.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: PENDERGRASS GA
Go Ceramic, Check On Ebay For The Block Hugger Ceramic Headers, Thats What I Use And I Like Them They Look Cool And There Ceramic, Like $124 Plus Shipping. The Paint Is Just Gonna Flake Off, Been There Done That And It Dont Fly.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I used the Eastwood Header paint back in '91 on my Megablown L-88 Z28; its still on there! They still look decent with some surface rust. These days I would use header paint on a daily driver and ss or ceramic on special vehicles.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by bondoboy
Just don't buy that eastwood header paint. It's overpriced junk. I had brand new hedmans down to bare metal and clean and painted them. Within a month of putting them on my truck, the paint rusted through.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 2
I like headers even on stock motors, you can always go back. I've tried all types of paint, even Eastwoods, I always loose the finish. All you need to do is restart the engine after having the distributer out , not enough advance, cherry red headers, paint gone. If rust bothers you go ceramic, it helps with power output also.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
bbq paint
If you aren't having luck with eastwood high temp paint try the black paint meant for BBQ grills at Wal-Mart. I was skeptical of it until I put it on my BBQ grill. It never burnt off and it is a charcoal BBQ.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 2
From: Huntingburg Indiana
I had the brand new headers down to bare metal. I then sanded them and wiped down with solvent. I applied the paint with a foam brush. For some reason or another the paint rusted through.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Originally Posted by dgruenke
Summit has the ceramic coalted Elite headers for around $260.00. It's not a whole lot more than the painted and you don't have to worry about it.
Elite headers have nice thick 3/8 flanges and14 gauge tubing. $260 for coated elite haeders sounds like a good buy.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jul 30, 2006 at 10:33 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 1
From: Rosemount MN
Originally Posted by Little Mouse
Elite headers have nice thick 3/8 flanges and14 gauge tubing. $260 for coated elite haeders sounds like a good buy.