70 C3 -- The never ending manifold rest. question

[Travis Williamson]

Im trying to decide on the best thing to do with my exhaust manifolds. So Id like to get everyone's opinion on this that have more experience with it.

I did a search and found some old threads on the topic but I wanted to get a more up to date opinions.

Im considering two options:

1. Have them cleaned (rust removed) and then use something like Factory Gray High Temp Coating (34105Z) from Eastwood

or

2. Have them cleaned (rust removed) then use the Prelube6 or WD-40 and keep them coated.

I dont want to use the cream type products.

Im kind of leaning toward the prelube6 because the ones Ive seen painted look exactly that, painted.

Id be glad to hear any other options as well.

thanks
Travis

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: 70 C3 -- The never ending manifold rest. quest

oh just use the cream, buff it real good. prelube6 want hold up to the heat.

[dick foehringer]

Re: 70 C3 -- The never ending manifold rest. quest

im not such a purist but i have used the eastwood product on several cars and its the only thing i have ever found that doesnt discolor or burn off. i garnet blast the manifolds and spray clean with brake cleaner the either brush or spray on 2 coats. its and interesting blend of materials that will melt a foam brush, so get 2 . it stays on and never peels or blisters. i actually sprayed it on a set of headers on my 70 Z28 and again it stayed on where all of the previous paints burned off.
regards dick

[Gary S.]

Re: 70 C3 -- The never ending manifold rest. quest

Let me disagree with you on PreLube 6. Ever since Patrick Hulst told me about this product from Quanta I have been using it. I cleaned my very nice 72 manifolds with a brass bristle brush and liberally sprayed on the PreLube 6. I started up the engine and killed every bug within 100 feet with all the smoke. One year later I had a quarter size spot that needed touching up. Nothing else. That year and the next I drove my 72 a total of 6000 miles.

Some have said that there isn't anything left once the PreLube 6 burns off but I can attest to the fact that my manifold STILL look great. Now, I didn't start with some rusted/pitted examples that have been left unattended for X years. I have (now) 36000 mile LT1 in near unmolested condition. I have enough experience with lubricants, oils, and petroleum products to know that I DON'T know why it works. But it does.

Gary
btw, it does a nice job of protecting exposed carbon steel, just like it is designed to do. Sections of frame and cross members that have lost their paint stand up well with periodic applications.

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: 70 C3 -- The never ending manifold rest. quest

what are you using it on? a small block?

[Rob A.]

Re: 70 C3 -- The never ending manifold rest. quest

I just leave mine with whatever light accumulation of surface rust naturally accumulates, which is the way they would look after a week on the dealer's lot before the car could even be sold anyway. I realize it might not match the like-new appearance of the surrounding components in the engine compartment, but they are, after all, not supposed to. I treat them like the original, natural steel exhaust system, which would be surface-rusted befoe the car was ever sold as well, and don't worry about their appearance.

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: 70 C3 -- The never ending manifold rest. quest

that will work to, on the BB cars one can not see to much of the manifold any way. small block you got all kinds of room under the hood, so you see more of the manfoilds.

[KEN BUTCHER]

Re: 70 C3 -- The never ending manifold rest. quest

Travis, I agree with Rob, I would glass-bead the exhaust manifolds first and leave them the way they came from the factory. If your car is used for shows and weekend driving the manifolds will look great and original for years. I find the cars done with eastwood or what ever looks so far from factory, but that's my 2 cents worth.
Good luck. Ken.

[Travis Williamson]

Re: 70 C3 -- The never ending manifold rest. quest

Many thanks guys for the inputs!

By the way I have a small block, so as some of you guys were saying, they will be quite visible.

I have them off the motor already so Im just going to have them cleaned up and then put them back and leave them as they are. I dont plan on having it judged however, I may take it to a few local shows here and there to show it off, so my goal is to keep it original looking as I possibly can.

Thanks again and Im sure Ill have a dozen or more questions in the near future.

Travis