Exhaust wrap
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock TX
Exhaust wrap
Hi, I'm a newbie. Just got my first vett this past weekend. It's taken me 30+ years to realize a long time dream. How difficult is it to wrap headers with exhaust wrap and what is the best yet most economical type of wrap I should choose? I have a 1973 vette with 4-bolt main 350 engine. I'm getting unbelievable amounts of heat in the cockpit.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
It's not hard, but it takes time and patience. I assume the headers are not on the car yet...I would advise painting them first. This will help with the rust issues from wrapping.
Measure the individual tubes, adding a couple inches for each bend, then cut your wrap accordingly. Soak that in water, then wrap. It's much more pliable when it's soaked through. Use stainless steal ties.
Make sure the header you are wrapping is of decent quality, is made of decent thickness, or it will rust out MUCH quicker.
Measure the individual tubes, adding a couple inches for each bend, then cut your wrap accordingly. Soak that in water, then wrap. It's much more pliable when it's soaked through. Use stainless steal ties.
Make sure the header you are wrapping is of decent quality, is made of decent thickness, or it will rust out MUCH quicker.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock TX
Kevin thank you for the quick response. Actually the headers are already on the car. Do I need to remove them in order to complete the job? Also, there are numerous types of wrap I found on the internet, which would you recommend?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: ruskin fl
Did mine about a year ago........glad i did. Wrapped while in place.... not easy but can be done.Used the jacket type for the primaries and wrap for the collector part of the header.
Much cooler cabin temps
Kevin
Much cooler cabin temps
Kevin
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Canastota Ny
i used exhaust paint on the pipe then wrapped mine down to the end of the Y with turbo wrap we use on the diesel engines here at work. works beautifully for engine heat as well as under hood temps too! mine were still on car too! no problem!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 30
From: warwick rhode island
i used thermotec wrap for the headers on my 69 small block i took the headers off to do it. can't imagine how much trouble it would be to do it in place. the only reason i did was to reduce heat to the cabin, reduce heat to the starter, and to keep from burning my fingers when i work on a hot engine. it has worked out really well. the starter never heat soaks anymore even though the front of the starter is less than 1/2 inch from the headers. i also used a heat blanket on the starter.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock TX
Thanks Oldboat, that's good advice. I know there are several options out there, I just wanted to make the most of this job. This is something I only want to have to do one time if possible.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Fernandina Beach FL
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Glenn-
You might want to check and see if your car still has the "transmission tunnel foam collar heat shield"- between the transmission/bellhousing and firewall. Often removed and not replaced. This will also help big time in cooling your interior.
Richard
You might want to check and see if your car still has the "transmission tunnel foam collar heat shield"- between the transmission/bellhousing and firewall. Often removed and not replaced. This will also help big time in cooling your interior.
Richard
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 593
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From: London England
Glenn I'd recommend wearing work gloves if you do the wrap, depending on the make some of the fibres can get stuck in your skin or irritate it, bit like fibreglass but not so bad.
If you have trouble getting the stainless ties, I've used stainless hose clips.
If you have trouble getting the stainless ties, I've used stainless hose clips.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock TX
Hi Oldboat,
Could you please tell me approximately how much exhaust wrap I would need to wrap the headers. I found some rolls that were 3" wide, 25' long. Not sure how many rolls I would need. Any thoughts? Thank you.
Glenn
Could you please tell me approximately how much exhaust wrap I would need to wrap the headers. I found some rolls that were 3" wide, 25' long. Not sure how many rolls I would need. Any thoughts? Thank you.
Glenn
