restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

[William C.]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

I would recommend a study of Corvette News Volume 9 #5 for anyone restoring a bigblock Corvette.

[Michael H.]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

Bill,

Hopefully, most of the people that were following the above posts knew I wasn't serious. There is absolutely no doubt, at all, that the exhaust manifolds were in place on all 65-67 big blocks when the engine assy's were painted at Tonawanda and they wound up with quite a load of orange color. It wasn't just a mist coat as some would want us to believe. The Corvette News pic is just one of MANY pieces of documentation that prove this beyond doubt. Mark Churchill's original question included the word "restore" so I felt I was correct in mentioning the fact that manifolds should be painted along with the rest of the engine. The mounting ears on my unrestored 66 big block manifolds are STILL orange after 40 years of operation.

Just my opinion but the glass blasted manifold look reminds me of a car prepared for judging in some other Corvette or street rod organization. And I don't buy the story of how the manifolds will rust when all the orange paint burns off. If restored properly, the paint turns to black within 15 or 20 minutes of operation and stays that way for many years.

[Paul L.]

I Use Graphite Lube...

...but my car is not NCRS material. It is an inexpensive touch-up and lasts for about one driving season. Application is with a Q-Tip.

[Norris W.]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

Last time I had a car NCRS Flight judged (early 90's) the judges didn't take kindly to ex. manifolds with any kind of spray cast or wipe on coating. I've always prefered to spray cast mine anyway, as opposed to the burned off orange/natural look. One thing that somebody told me about years ago that works well and lasts about as well as any spray on or wipe on treatment that I've seen was to go to the hardware store and buy copper spray paint. (the higher copper content the better) Spray the exhaust manifolds with it and put em in an oven (not one to ever cook food in again) and bake em. It'll turn a perfect cast iron grey color that's very durable. My L88 was done in the late 80's and I've never re-done em.

Side note on ovens: I bought a used one from a used appliance store for 10 bucks because the upper burners wouldn't work. It's perfect for bakin' manifolds and also for small powder coating jobs. Every well equipped workshop should have one.

[Allan J. Wicklund]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

MARK! These guys are NUTS!!!! All you did was ask a simple question and all I did was offer a friendly, neighbor to neighbor, over the backyard fence answer. Hmmmmmmmm! I did miss the issue of what car engine was being restored. Anyway, in answer to your question. Yes, baking in the little womans, (if your lucky on the little part) oven will ensure a quality job but crank that baby up and the manifolds will not know the difference. Calyx seems to be a graphite compound that is water soluble until dry. Good Luck with your project! As for you other guys, have a nice day! Al W.

[Joe R.]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

While the Calyx Manifold Dressing looks very nice, it is not a good choice for NCRS judging. It will rub off on the judges' hands and will greatly annoy them.

There are quite a few different coating schemes discussed in the archives, so you may want to do a search of the archives. As I recall there were two or three different methods that were endorsed by multiple posters. One of them was the copper-paint-baked-in-the-oven method mentioned by another poster on this thread.

[Mark Churchill]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

Bill,

Would you know where I could get access to the Corvette News Volume 9 #5? Do you think it would be in the archives?

Thanks,
Mark

[William C.]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

I believe borrowing one or buying one is the only avenue, but they are not uncommon, not at all like trying to find a copy of volume one...It carries a four page or so story with pictures of the 427 engine build and a very interesting picture of pallets of engines in a very heavy duty storage rack. You can see even in black and white photos the reflection off the painted exhaust manifolds.

[Michael H.]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

Bill,

Is that the issue that also shows a pic of a big block going through the engine paint operation? If so, I could post the pic here on the board if anyone happens to have that issue and can send me a decent quality scan. If I remember correctly, it also shows the mask that was placed over the bypass hose. Interesting picture, although a bit fuzzy. Thanks.

[William C.]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

No, this is the one that talks about filling the heads with shaving cream to prevent machining "stuff" from falling out into the engines. I've seen the one before with the mask shown, but I don't know where right now. If anyone can remember the source, we should be able to find it and post it.

[Michael H.]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

Ok, that must be an earlier issue, possibly 65 or 66. I'll see if I have it here. If not, maybe I'll start a new string on this subject and see if anyone happens to have that issue/picture. If I remember correctly, it has a view of the entire engine, including exhaust manfolds, being painted at Tonawanda. Great shot, although quite fuzzy and difficult to see details. I think you can even see the big chunk of 3" wide masking tape over the fuel pump mounting hole.

[Mark Churchill]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

Allan,

Are these guys NUTS? My wife thinks I'm NUTS for being this particular about my cars but she knows to some degree other things could be alot worse. I just want to get it NCRS right for judging the first go round. I appreciate the knowledge these NUTS have and the willing to help. What I've learned here and with a couple of phone calls is to have the manifolds media blasted {very clean}and sprayed Chevrolet engine orange. So next time we have this neibhorly talk come over to the fence gate and come on in for the rest of the story!

Cya,
Mark

[Allan J. Wicklund]

Re: restoring 67 exhaust manifolds

LOL, Al W.

[Gary J.]

Re:restoring 67 exhaust mamifolds

Sounds like Wilson giving Tim the "Tool Man Taylor" over the fence advice. Help tim out of a jam a lot.

Gary
NCRS #3503