Exhaust manifold refresh

[quattrophenia]

I will shortly be removing the exhaust 4-1 pipes and y-piece and giving them a good clean up and new gaskets. With the Y-piece I will just sand and polish as I have seen what results can be achieved. However I am undecided as to what method / products to use on the 4 to 1 branches. The options as I see it are:-

1. Give them a rub down, high temp paint and wrap them.
2. Rub down and use some high temp silver caliper type paint and paint brush them.
3. Rub down and use a spray can type high temp silver paint.
4. Rub down and polish up only.

I have heard people complain that wrapping can trap moisture and rot the standard pipes? Others have mentioned that simply polishing the pipes doesn't last for long as the high temps that they operate at quickly tarnishes them again.
Any one got any info or pictures of what they did?

[chris1972]

This thread may give you some information. Given my own experience, I would just leave them in future.

However, some have had more luck with different paints and different methods of prep. They do appear to be in the minority though!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Alun450]

I've recently polished my Y piece with nothing more than an attachment on a drill to buff back to steel then wet and dry. Now it's on the car and had heat through it it's bronzed off really nice, dab of Solvol every now and then, they stay well buffed up.
If and when I take my manifolds off I'll do the exact same thing, takes a good day a manifold I'd say but the results are lavely!

Thing is once there all smooth again its only a little cleaning that keeps the visible bits looking stunning.

I wouldn't wrap them personally.

[chris1972]

They do polish Alun, which surprised me! I took the main cat out of a spare Y-piece and a bit of sanding cleaned the ends nicely. Although, polishing has its limits when it comes to enjoyment...

[Goaty Bill]

quattrophenia said:

I have heard people complain that wrapping can trap moisture and rot the standard pipes?

I was strongly advised against it by a very experienced TVR specialist mechanic for exactly that reason.
In my estimation, he's seen enough Chimaeras and Griffs over 15+ years to have a good idea about these things, so I accepted his advice without argument.

[Discopotatoes]

Goaty Bill said:

quattrophenia said:

I have heard people complain that wrapping can trap moisture and rot the standard pipes?

I was strongly advised against it by a very experienced TVR specialist mechanic for exactly that reason.
In my estimation, he's seen enough Chimaeras and Griffs over 15+ years to have a good idea about these things, so I accepted his advice without argument.

I wrapped mine! Mine cracked! I'm having new ones made in schedule 40 stainless then zercotec

[chris1972]

Discopotatoes said:

I'm having new ones made in schedule 40 stainless then zercotec

Gotta see a picture of those when they're done!!!!

[Barkychoc]

If you paint them get them shotblasted first or the paint doesn't stay on for long.

[portzi]

Barkychoc said:

If you paint them get them shotblasted first or the paint doesn't stay on for long.

If I could put piccs up of mine I would, its been 12 months since using POR20 and the paints still on,and very liitle flaking and bubbling has occured, not noticeable. But as Chris says get them shot blasted first, as it seems to do the trick

[quattrophenia]

Thanks for the advise folks, gives me even more to think about. I may just leave them in situ for a while longer and see how much cleaner I can get them.

[Nosh]

quattrophenia said:

Thanks for the advise folks, gives me even more to think about. I may just leave them in situ for a while longer and see how much cleaner I can get them.

I spent a while cleaning my manifolds - didn't shot blast them, just some elbow grease and patience.

Took care to apply the POR aluminium effect and have had no problems after 400 miles.

And with Clives Y piece, it still look lush....



.......and a short vid once fitted....sounds better.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BomuORgHibQ



Nosh