Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

[Steven K.]

Winter blues must be setting in. '65 L76, believe the manifolds are original. Thoughts on best way to clean up or restore? Car is driven, but would look better with them cleaned up.

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[Arland D.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

Hard to beat sandblasting and shoot with Cast Blast 1200 keeps them looking new for many years on driven cars. If you're not going to remove them, someone else will have to chime in.

[Terry M.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

Steven,
I agree on the sandblastimg to clean the manifolds. I then treated mine with Pre-Lube 6 which is an aerosol spray. There are a number of products out there to treat the manifolds. You can research past TDB posts to research this. That's what I did and then made my decision. Also, original engines had no gaskets between the heads and manifolds. Make sure your mating surfaces are flat and clean. Doesn't hurt to put on a layer of silicone to the mating surface of the manifold when you reinstall. You can wipe off any excess that might squeeze out.

Terry

[Leif A.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

I had mine ceramic coated several years ago...still look like new and I drive mine 6,000 miles a year.

[Mark E.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

Two thoughts:

- From your photo they have a nice original look with minimal rust. If judged, leaving them alone would probably score best.

- If you want a "just cast" look but don't want to remove them, gently wire brush by hand to remove loose rust and apply Caylx. They'll look fresh but won't score as well if judged.

[Joseph W.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

I just did my exhaust manifolds.
Media blast clean in my cabinet.
taped off all the ports.
Painted with Seymours Cast Blast 1200 followed by 2 hours in the BBQ at 400 degrees.

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[Mel S.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

After sand blasting mine, I put on POR 15 exhaust colored (gray)paint. That was 4 years ago and still look great.

[Steven K.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

Thanks Mark, you are probably on to something. Long winters in Wisconsin and I'm sure I'm risk of overthinking things.

[Ed S.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

Does this product (Seymour Cast Blast) specify / require it to be baked for 2 hours or so at 400 or was that something you decided to do? i looked at the product spec sheet - I could not find info that specified baking like you did. Just curious.

[Joseph W.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

Does this product (Seymour Cast Blast) specify / require it to be baked for 2 hours or so at 400 or was that something you decided to do? i looked at the product spec sheet - I could not find info that specified baking like you did. Just curious.

https://www.npdlink.com/product/paint-cast-blast-cast-iron-metallic/107663?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3DCast%252Bblast%252B1200%26top_parent%3D0%26year%3D

The directions stated you cook at 400 for 2 hours. See the link above.

[Leif A.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

I just did my exhaust manifolds.
Media blast clean in my cabinet.
taped off all the ports.
Painted with Seymours Cast Blast 1200 followed by 2 hours in the BBQ at 400 degrees.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]120150[/ATTACH]

Joseph,
Those came out beautifully. Update us in a couple of years as to appearance and durability.

[Bill M.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

I wire wheel mine clean. Instal on the car get them up to operating temperature and spray with WD-40. It bakes onto the metal. Spray again every few months. The manifolds look natural. It just stinks while baking. Got this from old cars weekly 30 years ago.

[Mark E.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

I wire wheel mine clean. Instal on the car get them up to operating temperature and spray with WD-40. It bakes onto the metal. Spray again every few months. The manifolds look natural. It just stinks while baking. Got this from old cars weekly 30 years ago.

Do you really apply the oil when the manifolds are hot? Or do you apply the oil when cold, then start the engine?

[Bill M.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

Mark yes when at running temperature. Do it outside your garage. WD stinks when it evaporates.

[Bob I.]

Re: Clean/restore Exhaust manifold - L76

I used POR15, Manifold Gray, three years ago. What I like about POR15 is that you can use a paint brush for touch up.
Bob
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