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I'm curious if anyone running stock exhaust manifolds has used header wrap on their exhaust pipes from the manifold to the muffler to help keep the radiated heat out of the cabin, and how are your results? I always use a good heat barrier inside but wonder if this addition would help. California desert temps are commonly in the triple digits, so I'm always looking for any improvement. Thanks for any and all input. Greg
Header wrap tends to collect moisture and rust out whatever it's wrapped around.
A good thermal barrier coating inside the pipes is the best solution. If the budget allows for it, send it to Jet-Hot. If funds are limited, Eastwood has a kit with the spray and a special nozzle and you can do it yourself.
If you want another layer on the outside, VHT FlameProof™ exhaust coating is a good choice for the outside of the pipes. I generally do that in addition to the internal coating, except where the budget allows for Jet-Hot to do both inside and out.
A good foil backed adhesive insulation on the floorboards is also a really good idea over the exhaust pipes.
Last edited by C6_Racer_X; Sep 10, 2019 at 05:20 PM.
Thanks 6X, I was also considering some type of barrier on the underside of the floor. This is what led me to consider the header wrap. Also, moisture is not much of an issue here. I'm in the lowest humidity in the nation.
When I got the '70 it was like a furnace inside after you drove 10 miles down the road. The PO's solution was to drive with the window open!
1. There was a large grommet missing from the firewall allowing heat to blast into the cockpit.
2. I added a vacuum operate shutoff to the heater circuit.
3. Insulated the transmission tunnel when the trans was removed.
4. Added extra insulation under the footwell carpet
5. Wrapped the exhausts from below the shorty headers to the transmission cross member
6. Added some insulation behind lower firewall heat shields.
Inside temps are tolerable now, would have to resurrect the air con to make any further improvement but 95% of it had been deleted by a PO.
The car will still heat soak somewhat when left standing after a run but something you have to live with, fibreglass is a great insulator:-)
Hi Greg,That is exactly what I did..using Titanium wrap, I started wrapping about 10" below the stock manifolds and continued for 24",I also used heat shielding in the transmission tunnel with Heatshield Product 'HP Sticky Shield'
photo attached ..but not great... sorry
I go back and forth on header wrap idea. I ran it briefly on my second motor with header side pipes and here is my perspective. I wrapped them myself which may not be what you are supposed to do but I try to do as much myself as I can. With headers I feel like it may cut down on the life of the header. The header is unable to dissipate the heat like in normally would. I understand you are using cast iron manifolds, this won't be as big of an issue for you. It most definitely cut down on the heat A LOT. It used to be like a heat wave when I would pop the hood. After I wrapped the headers it was very cool under the hood (comparatively speaking). I could also mess with the spark plugs while the engine was hot and not get badly burned.
Thanks for the input guys. Your solution looks very clean Richard. I think I will wrap the pipes from the flange to the muffler and I will also look into some type of radiant metal barrier between the pipe and the floor.
Im thinking of wrapping the pipes below the floor boards, i have added insulation on the inside floor boards and did the heater hose shut offs, the heat is better, i have a 77
thanks for the input guys. your solution looks very clean richard. i think i will wrap the pipes from the flange to the muffler and i will also look into some type of radiant metal barrier between the pipe and the floor.
I'm curious if anyone running stock exhaust manifolds has used header wrap on their exhaust pipes from the manifold to the muffler to help keep the radiated heat out of the cabin, and how are your results? I always use a good heat barrier inside but wonder if this addition would help. California desert temps are commonly in the triple digits, so I'm always looking for any improvement. Thanks for any and all input. Greg
I did it, but also installed coated headers at the same time.
The difference was extreme. Went from cooking my feet to having to use the heater on cold summer nights.
I only drive the car during summertime, so rust is not a problem. Any moisture that may make its way into the wrap seems to evaporate, at least I didn't find any rust when I re-wrapping them after accidentally scraping some of it off.
Header Wrap?
