Re: alfa-digest V7 #923 - Header Coatings, was Header Wraps

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

In a message dated 08/01/1999 4:33:10 AM Central Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:

<< 
 Date: Sat, 31 Jul 1999 14:24:41 -0700
 From: "Jorge Mazlumian" <jmazl@domain.elided>
 Subject: header wraps
 
 Regarding the recent thread on header wrapping tape, I was wondering if
 anybody has comments/experience on the header/exhaust sleeves that are now
 being sold everywhere to lower the temp.
 1 - do they work? do they lower the engine bay temp?
 2 - are they safe?  is rust and overheating of the (header)metal a concern
 as much as with the tape?
 
 Since they go "loose" they seems a lot easier to install and they do breathe
 so rust should be less of a problem I would guess.
 Thanks to all
 
 Jorge Mazlumian (trying to capitalize on my Welty Fund sponsorship)
 Redlands, CA
 Home page: http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/2035/alfa.htm
  >>

    Header wraps do keep the heat inside the headers, which helps exhaust 
flow.  However, the metal does get a lot hotter and will break down faster.  
The instructions in the last set of headers I ordered said the warranty was 
no good if header wraps were used on them.
    A much better solution is to use VHT or Jet Hot coatings.  This is like 
power coating inside and outside the header.  The heat does not transfer to 
the metal due to the coating and the exhaust flow is much improved.  Plus 
under hood temperatures are kept down.
    See the September 99 issue of Hot Rod Magazine, page 50 for more 
information on coatings.  In fact, this issue has several articles on basic 
engine preparation and assembly.  It is oriented toward the 'Merican V-8, but 
is still good information.  Most of what I know about performance came from 
reading Hot Rod Magazine the last 40 years.
Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City

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