I'll probably put headers in some day but for now, is it even worth the trouble to remove the manifolds, have them blasted and then repainted?

If so, what would it cost to have them sand blasted and what paint should I use that would hold up to the heat?

Thanks

Bob

I bead blasted mine so all rust and dirt were gone, and then painted them with Eastwoods hi-temp (stainless?) manifold paint. I have used this paint on manifolds for my mom's Ford wagon, as well as my El Camino. I even used it on several sets of headers, and I have never had a problem with it burning or flaking off.

For the manifolds, I simply used a "sponge" brush (very cheap at local hardware stores), and after brushing the entire manifold, I "dabbed" it again to ensure no brush marks. I think it can also be sprayed.
It comes in several colors (I think black and some metal colors, I used a darker gray metal color). I didn't even have to cure it in an oven or anything...

I don't know what sandblasting or bead blasting would cost, but shouldn't be more than a few bucks. Try the local general machine shop. They should be able clean them up (hot tank if greasy), and then take probably 5-10 minutes to blast them in a cabinet. Make sure they're really clean when you paint them...

[This message has been edited by 1966_L78 (edited 04-23-2001).]

If you're gonna remove, blast and paint the manifolds anyways, it probably wouldn't be that much extra work or money to go ahead and install the headers. Just my .02


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Wes
'63 Nova SS Conv 350, ported DartII, 268XE, stealth intake, th350, 11" Holeshot, 4WDB, 3.08 Posi
'65 Chevelle Conv 400SB, 268XE, ported SportsmanII, RPM AirGap, 1 3/4"hedman, front disc, 12 bolt rear
'62 Nova Conv 350, mild cam, ported camel humps with 1.94/1.5 valves

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 1966_L78:
I bead blasted mine so all rust and dirt were gone, and then painted them with Eastwoods hi-temp (stainless?) manifold paint. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'll second that, I used Eastwoods Stainless steel high temp coating on my manifolds many years ago and they still look like "new cast iron"

Item-no 10178 Z - Price: $ 19.99 (http://www.eastwoodco.com)
click "special coatings"

No PITA headers for me again

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Dean Call
Team Gold member #3
A.C.E.S. # 00235
Mid America Chevelle Club (http://macc.chevelles.net) #001
chevelles.net (http://chevelles.net)
My 69 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/deans69.jpg)

ACES/Midwest Chevelle Regionals (http://www.madmikesstuff.com/Chevelle2001.htm)

Don't point a finger - lend a hand


[This message has been edited by Dean (edited 04-23-2001).]

Another vote for Eastwood's. I did mine a year and a half ago and they still look great!

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Dave Knapp
TC #388
ACES #3474
SCCCC #310
'70 SS 396 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/DaveK1.jpg)
L34 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/DaveK2.jpg)

Well Bob, here's another vote for Eastwood's Stainless Steel Manifold Paint. I have used this on all of my past classics, including one with headers. This stuff does not burn off. If you scratch it with a wrench or socket or something, just touch it up with a brush.

If you are looking for a "temporary" appealing fix, you can put this stuff on with the manifolds on the car. I did that with one previous car for about two years before the resto. Brush it on right over rust and touch up every so often as required (which really wasn't very often), no serious problems. Obviously the "blasting" is the best prep for them.



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ACES #4241, TC #947
69 SS Sedan (http://www.angelfire.com/rock/69ss)

A source of sandblasting you might check on is a cemetery headstone company. They make the lettering on headstones by sandblasting. Also, the commercial painting companies do sandblasting. If you plan on doing much resto work and have an air compressor, you might check into a basic sandblast outfit. I got mine for under $50 and it does get used a little bit.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'd go with the headers now but it would be a far more expensive route if I want ceramic or other type of high finish so I guess the Eastwood route is for me for now.

Thanks again!

Bob

Eastwood again. I did a little porting on mine, bead blasted 'em, then painted them with Eastwood's cast iron manifold grey. After it heat cures it's supposed to look like natural cast iron.

The final verdict is still out though. But they sure look good hanging on the garage wall!

Dan

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Awww, fer cyrin out loud, there's that IMPALA guy again.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/ss3964spd?d&.flabel=fld1&.src=ph