Wrapped headers?
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 441
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From: Vicksburg, MS
Wrapped headers?
My dad and I put plain finish headers on my 78 F250 400 about 15 years ago when it was his daily driver. For some reason, he soon after wrapped the headers. I can't recall if he was experiencing any heat issues.
The truck is mine now, and the wrap has disintegrated. I haven't had any overheating problems since I removed all the wrap, and I was debating on rewrapping or coating with something. Either way, it won't be an easy task, and I won't bother if it's not necessary.
If anyone can share their experiences with heat-related problems due to headers, wrapping, coating, etc., it might help me out.
The truck is mine now, and the wrap has disintegrated. I haven't had any overheating problems since I removed all the wrap, and I was debating on rewrapping or coating with something. Either way, it won't be an easy task, and I won't bother if it's not necessary.
If anyone can share their experiences with heat-related problems due to headers, wrapping, coating, etc., it might help me out.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
15 years on wrapped headers is pretty darn good. The wrap holds heat which can degrade (crack) the headers. Also moisture than can rust them. Personally, I would not re-wrap. If heat is an issue, ceramic coated (inside and out) is a better option.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 247
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a year ago I installed long headers on my 400. I don't like the headers to rust, so I scuffed the outside of the headers with a gray scotch pad and sprayed a high heat black enamel on the outside. I also tried Eastwood Hi-Temp Internal Exhaust Coating. Eastwood Hi-Temp Internal Exhaust Coating w/Nozzle
A year later the headers look very good compared to the glass packs that are rusted up just next to the collector.
Hope this helps.
A year later the headers look very good compared to the glass packs that are rusted up just next to the collector.
Hope this helps.
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: Vicksburg, MS
Upon further review, I've got some flaking caused by the wrap. I think I can salvage them, or at least buy a few more years with a good paint coating.
The Eastwood stuff doesn't exactly have rave reviews. I'm looking at other brands like DEI, VHT, POR-15, and thermo-tec that have pretty good reviews. Anyone got experience with any of these products?
The Eastwood stuff doesn't exactly have rave reviews. I'm looking at other brands like DEI, VHT, POR-15, and thermo-tec that have pretty good reviews. Anyone got experience with any of these products?
Elder User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 842
Likes: 1
From: Puyallup, WA
Don't wrap unless it's a dedicated race truck. The radiant heat is not much, and wrap will rot your headers very quickly if they get wet. Correct, ceramic coating is the best, but pricey. If you're having starter heat-soak problems (rare on a Ford, more of a Chevy thing), then the best idea is to wrap the starter itself, not the headers.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 858
Likes: 118
From: Buffalo NY
Hedman and Hooker both advise against the use of wrap, due to excessive heat build-up and moisture retention. They also state that its use will void all warranties.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 828
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, WI
I've had headers on my '68 Firebird 400 (has 550hp 462ci in it), my headers on my '70 Bronco, my pipes on a '95 VMAX and just had my factory exhaust manifolds on my '77 F150 with a 460 in it all Jet Hot ceramic coated. No rust, no flaking etc...and they run cooler and cool down superfast. How fast? Good example is the Vmax. Drove it for a half hour at freeway speeds to the ice cream stand. Shut it off. Went up and got a sundae and walked back to the bike. Leaned my legs/calfs (had shorts on) right up against the pipes. Barely warm to the touch. No burns etc...
Later, Shortbox4x4
Later, Shortbox4x4
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