70 Exhaust Manifold Coatings

[DMateya]

Hello,

I got a pair of original exhaust manifolds for my 440 and was wondering what people recommend to treat them with to keep them looking good over time. What have you done with your exhaust manifolds? Keep them bare metal, jet-hot, cerakote, something else?

 

[Dodge-Scatpack]

I had the “Tri-y” headers on my Dakota jet-hot coated when I first purchased them. It didn’t take too long for rust to start forming all over the pipes.

I heard the brush on Eastwood paint is pretty decent for the price. In the end, I’m not sure too many products handle the high temps well.

 

[dadsbee]

VHT high heat manifold paint in cast iron. Manifolds glass beaded, painted and then properly baked per directions. I'm 8 years and 3500 miles in on mine with zero rust.

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

10k miles on my ceramic coated headers. I also had the insides coated and broke then in as directed

 

[71RRHI]

I recently did a set of 340 hp manifolds. I did a search on FBBO and several members recommended using slip plate.

I blasted mine and brushed it on. Looks great, supposed to last a long time,.

 

[WileE]

VHT high heat manifold paint in cast iron. Manifolds glass beaded, painted and then properly baked per directions. I'm 8 years and 3500 miles in on mine with zero rust.

I've had good results over the years with VHT as you just described. As far as jet-hot, they suck !! Many years ago I sent a pair of headers, they came back with barely nothing on the underside and they rusted very shortly thereafter.

 

[DeltaV]

The leaking rocker arm covers will keep them from rusting too much.

 

[4mulas]

VHT products are good but you must follow the curing instructions. They can off gas a bit while baking so if you have access to a ‘shop’ style oven I’d use that. Not your new Frigidaire Galley that the Sunday roast goes in.

The factory put them on bare metal and then painted the motor with them in place, the manifolds got the same colour as the engine which burned off and then became rusty. If you want them nice looking forever definitely paint them with a Cast product. Mi have also used Eastwood high heat coating with a descent level of success

 

[XXWingCar]

These pics will give you an idea of what the gray colored Eastwood brush on product will looks like. Mine were done almost 20 years ago and I would guess 15,000 miles or so (plus a lot of idle time heat cycles). They might have a clear now that you could use. Here is the link to what I used. Eastwood Factory Gray Hi-Temp Coating