Exhaust Manifold Dressings

[Dwight P.]

There are a number of products available that claim to resist rusting and not change the normal appearance of cast iron. Here are a few...Cast Blast...POR15...PRELUBE-6...Graphite Lube...Color Guard.

I have removed my manifolds, wire brushed them and will use some NAVAL JELLY to remove the last signs of rust. This is a job that I do not want to repeat for awhile.

Which product is the best for keeping the rust from forming and, most importantly,not give a fake appearance? And I do not want to loose Flight Judging Points.

Thanks,

Dwight

[Gene B.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Dressings

If you go to page 2 on the discussion board, you will see the discussion titled c2 exhaust manifold. It discusses potential point deduction for having your manifolds protected from rust.

The manifolds were painted engine color and the orange paint burned off as the car was driven. The ends of the manifold where the heat is not as high retain some of the orange color and the center area turned yellow initally and then black, and unfortunately eventually rust will form.

You will lose points for originality having them painted cast blast or if other products are used, which would not show some engine color. If you have rust, you will get a deduction for condition. It is a catch-22. Personally I would rather see the original look, rather than the cast blast look.

my 2 cents

Gene

[Tom S.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Dressings

Dwight
I use cast blast on mine and it hold's up quite well. After a little time and heat they really look quite natural. If it were me I would take the point loss for the paint rather than the rust.JMHO. Tom

[Gary B.]

Exhaust Manifold Dressings for '66, '67, and later

Tom,

For '67 and newer I think there is agreement that there should be no engine orange on the exhaust manifolds. Plus, the TIM&JG for '66 says that SB exhaust manifolds were not painted, which may be right or wrong, but in any case, for the time being, one will likely get a point deduction if the judges see any paint on '66, '67 and newer SB exhaust manifolds.

So, at least for my '66, I too will opt for some sort of manifold dressing to eliminate or minimize rust and I'll take the 1 or 2 point deduct. If and when the '66 TIM&JG is ever revised to say that orange overspray was a possibility, I will then consider adding some orange, but not before I see something in print in the '66 TIM&JG.

Gary

[Donald M.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Dressings

Dwight, I have used a product from Eastwood called Eastwood Stainless Steel paint. It muct be brushed on after the manifolds have been thoroughly cleaned. I painted my manifolds about 15 years ago and believe it or not, they still look like the day I painted them, no rust or fading!! Absolutely the best product and I have used others (Cast Blast, Calyx, etc.), they don't even compare to the S.S. paint.
JMHO
Don

[Scott Butville]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Dressings for '66, '67, and l

A good compromise between appearance and originality is to apply Calyx as directed, then go over the manifold with a wet toothbrush. This eliminates the look of a non typical production finish but eliminates the rust and discoloration. I also have some orange overspray where they meet the heads, which has since turned yellow at the center exhaust ports. No deduction taken at judging and I chuckled to myself as the two judges agreed that there was no " artificial finish" on them. On the other hand, there's only a point or two involved anyhow.

[Kent K.]

Need expert advice for exh. manofolds

Gary,

Since when did the judging manual change for small blocks to NOT have painted exhaust manofolds? Geeeeeeze, when I restored and Duntoved my '67 just 11 short years ago, our research and JM showed small blocks were painted with exhaust manifolds in place and large blocks without. What's the deal? What's the truth?

Best,
Kent #6201

[Gary B.]

Need expert advice for exh. manofolds

Kent,

I don't know the history of the '66 TIM&JG as regards the 1st and 2nd editions, but I do know that the 4th edition says "Small block exhaust manifolds are not installed during engine painting and and therefore no evidence of overspray should be visible." I don't have the 3rd edition with me right now, but I believe the 3rd edtion of the '66 TIM&JG is consisent with the 4th edition.

For BB the 4th edition says "Big block exhaust manifolds are installed during the engine painting process and should show edidence of engine orange overspray."

So, the 4th edition of the '66 TIM&JG says exactly the opposite of your statement for '67.

Gary

[Jon S.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Dressings

I've had great luck with plain old WD-40. After you have the manifolds all cleaned up, soak them in WD-40 before you re-install them. They'll smoke like heck for a few minutes when you first start up, but the natural cast appearance lasts a long time. I suppose you could always re-soak them on the car if needed, but I've never had to do that. I've not lost any points, either for coating or condition, with this method.

Jon
#10673

[Gary S.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Dressings

I used Eastwood Stainless Steel paint on a driver 66. Looked great for years with a MINOR touch up required only after about 5-6 years. On my very original 72, I used PreLube 6 and will never use anything else. Spray it on a cold exhaust that has been cleaned and use it liberally. Let it soak in, run down, etc. Then run your car OUTSIDE. Lots of smoke and stink. I don't know why or how it works but it does. I touch up the exhausts every other year or so and I still have the original spray can. This is the easiest restoration I have ever done.

Gary

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Exhaust Manifold Dressings

-------Speaking of "cleaned up", wire brushing just wont get the job done IMO. Find someone to glass bead your manifolds so that you can start off on an even plane. Im not sure what the gurus say but blasting a couple of exhaust manifolds doesnt cost much. You can even scotchbrite the machined surfaces if you are that anal. After that just follow which ever of the above techniques flips your switch. Hope this helps.........Bill S