66 convt big block 425 hp
 

just bought a 66 convet big block 425 hp, the manifolds are kind of rusty, any suggestions, buy new, or take them off and try to clean
and repaint if so what products to look into, how big of project is this?

Thanks D.Sperle

Congratulations!!
Welcome to the forum.
I would take them off and carefully wire brush them (you don't want to destroy any part numbers or dates if they are original to the car) and then clean with something like brake clean, simple green, etc. and then paint with a high heat cast colored paint.

Congratulations D!

Get some pictures on here, and be sure to fill out your profile.

You're a bit south of me, but nice to see another one here in California.

As far as the exhaust manifolds go, I just bead blasted mine, and then used Eastwoods manifold paint. It's a brush on product, and there was more than enough to do two coats.

Welcome to the forum,

Pat

Sandblasted mine, cost $25 and then painted with Eastwood cast iron gray High Temp with a brush. Very happy with the way they turned out.




https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...b98fc3b19b.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...1414462be2.jpg

I'd guess it depends on a couple of things, like how rusty are they. What is your desired outcome, show car, or other? Do you plan on having the manifolds off anyway?

I know I don't fit in with the "remove and make perfect, and while you're at it" crowd, but I'll post a couple of pictures. Mine had some rust when I bought it, as did the master cylinder. I didn't remove, I just followed the instructions on the can (POR 15, manifold gray) and lightly sanded off the surface. Instructions say a little rust makes it actually work a little better. I don't know about that, but I left some on the manifolds and the master cylinder. I used a small brush and coated the manifolds and master cylinder, both still on the car. Let it sit for 24 hours and then started the car and ran for 20 minutes to cure.
This after picture is not the final on my engine, I have since cleaned it up better than this picture, but it is the final on my manifolds and m/c. I recently let the timing light cord touch the manifold when hot and melted a piece of black rubber into the coating. After it cooled, I was able to brush it off, but there was a very slight difference in the brushed area and the other. I lightly painted over the brushed area only and re-cured. You can't tell the difference.

Before and after:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...b25cea3161.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...0ca0e94efc.jpg

I did the same thing on my 60 two years ago and it still looks like this. I bought a quart can and did both the 60 and 65 and still have 3/4ths of the can left.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...22e03dc53f.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...e305178d42.jpg

Nothing wrong with that Jack! Looks good to me!

Mine were definitely a bit easier, as I'm building the car, so they were already off the car. I used the Eastwood paint, and then placed them into the BBQ. LOL!

Pat

Congrats. Wonderful year and engine. I had my L72 exhausts ceramic coated. Think it was $150 which I thot was fair. Where’s the pics!! Color? Welcome. Wealth of knowledge here.

Why would anyone want a '66 big block convertible? Oh, wait....... Welcome to the forum and to echo everyone else, please post some pictures when you can.

Another product many on here have used to coat exhaust manifolds is POR-15 high temperature paint.

I sandblasted mine & used a foam paint brush to apply POR15 Factory Manifold Gray
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...3b3a681ddd.jpg

The pictures are great, thanks, I've decided I will paint them and probably on the car, Thanks for welcoming to the forum, I'll
post pictures of the car and the painted manifolds soon.

Thanks again .....D.Sperle