The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Exhaust Manifold Finishing recommendations?

Not sure if this is the correct forum but I will give it a shot.

I have removed my engine to have it rebuilt. What are my options for finishing my exhaust manifold? How should I go about it, really just looking for recommendations. I would like to keep it as original as possible.

I used some rustoleum high temp black paint. Haven't had a chance to run it much so I don't know how it will hold up.

Originally painted with engine paint. Burned off on first on first drive. I use Calyx. Do a "Search" on Stovebolt for "Calyx".

- Lonnie

I have read that its very difficult to have the paint hold up with the heat. Is powder coating an option? Will it do any better with the heat?

I know people with ceramic coating on 6 cylinder manifolds, professionally installed by companies that specialize in coating exhaust manifolds. Those have held up quite well over several years and many miles (including cross-country trips).

I have never tried ceramic, but I have tried high-heat manifold paint, with no good luck. I now use the Calyx Manifold Dressing mentioned by Lonnie in a previous post. It needs an easy 5-10 minute "touch up" every year.

I used the ceramic coating from eastwood, it has held up perfectly for about 3 years so far. Powder coating isn't for high heat applications, The calyx dressing or ceramic is the only way to go.

I am in the process of doing this. First I wire wheeled the manifolds. Then I used the rust oleum srripper/ conditioner. Then the high temperature rust attacking(?) primer and then black for intake and silver for the exhaust manifolds. I have done this in the past, but have not used the stripper or rust oleum, just another high temp paint. The intake always stayed black, not so much with the exhaust. I am hoping the rust prevention aspect works better.

I too use Calyx on my exhaust manifolds. Some I have sandblasted before applying Calyx and some I haven't. Just used a wire brush to get the loose rust off. They come out the same. Every spring I touch up the manifolds with the Calyx. I run the engine for a while after applying it. Would I use it in the future, you betcha.

Rick

I wire wheeled mine while disconnected from the intake, treated with Ospho, then Calyx.

I used VHT Flameproof paint on my manifold. It's only been a year, but it looks as good as the day I painted it. It cures with heat. It's the same paint that Kansas Customs uses on their split manifolds, too. I did remove the rust on my manifold using electrolysis prior to applying the VHT.

www.vhtpaint.com/high-heat/vht-flameproof-coating

I used rustolum high temp. The instructions require baking. I was able to do this in ovens at work. It has been three years and looks almost as good as when first applied.

I've used POR-15 brand manifold paint, seams to hold up.

I had my intake and exhaust manifolds ceramic coated.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/e73t9agmvpltuj6/AAAQHCVEyLJP7Q0RVfl9pk2Ea?dl=0&preview=DSC00580.JPG

I too had my Fentons ceramic coated by Jet Hot over 12 years ago. I've driven over 30,000 miles and they look as good as the day I installed them.

I'd check their website, but back then they gave a lifetime warranty on new parts like mine, and 5 years on used parts.

Question, does the Calyx become dry over time? I believe this is the route I'm going to go. My manifold is off the truck. If it does not dry completely I can only assume I should apply the Calyx after the manifold has been reinstalled. To avoid all the handling it takes to install the manifold. Your thoughts and experiences please. Thanks again you guys. I am going to need a lot of help putting my truck back together.

I have put Calyx dressing on manifolds on or off the engine.