• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

what to do about headers

  • Thread starter Thread starter sidewayzisbest
  • Start date Start date Oct 19, 2004
S

sidewayzisbest

New Member
Feb 6, 2003
427
0
0
Lexington, SC
Oct 19, 2004
#1
  • Oct 19, 2004
  • #1
I have mac longtubes headers. They been kinda of rusty and i bead blasted them and painted them with 1200 degree black paint.(just for looks right now that prob flake off or if anyone knows a good paint that wont). Well i was thinking of wrapping them with black header wrap also. Should i do it? or not worry bout it , cant afford or have time to get them cremic coated. thanks

if i should do the wrap how much should i get?
 

Rick 91GT

Mustang Master
Nov 29, 1999
9,692
95
99
PA
Oct 19, 2004
#2
  • Oct 19, 2004
  • #2
I used the DEI silicone high temp header/exhaust paint before and it held up very nicely. Summit Racing sells it is alum or black for around $7 a can.

If you used the Duplicolor engine high temp paint it will not hold up on the headers.
 

FiveLtrRiceEatr

New Member
Oct 2, 2004
197
0
0
Michigan
Oct 19, 2004
#3
  • Oct 19, 2004
  • #3
get them ceremic coated it'll last forever i would def. recomend it
 

pisgahhiker

New Member
Aug 6, 2004
148
0
0
Western North Carolina
Oct 19, 2004
#4
  • Oct 19, 2004
  • #4
I do ceremic coating pm me and I might beable to help you out
 

Attachments

  • chrome_header.webp
    7.6 KB · Views: 211

GRGT1994

New Member
Sep 22, 2004
1,034
0
0
Oct 19, 2004
#5
  • Oct 19, 2004
  • #5
Before you do header wrap, run a few searches. I have read some bad things about it. It sounds like your headers will cook far too hot with the wrap, and melt or degrade rapidly.

But I know nothing about this first hand. So again, search on header wrap.
 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because
Founding Member
Jan 15, 2002
2,773
17
89
Dallas, GA
Oct 19, 2004
#6
  • Oct 19, 2004
  • #6
I haven't tried this, so don't hold me to it but I have scene the results and heard from some older hot-rodders that this works.

With the headers clean of the paint and other components coat them with trans fluid, fire the engine up in a well ventalated area and allow it to burn off, then repeat this after it cools down. It leaves a gunmetal like finish and seems to keep rust off them and last a long time.
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
15 Year Member
Nov 11, 2003
6,945
1,597
223
Northern KY
Oct 19, 2004
#7
  • Oct 19, 2004
  • #7
90mustangGT said:
I haven't tried this, so don't hold me to it but I have scene the results and heard from some older hot-rodders that this works.

With the headers clean of the paint and other components coat them with trans fluid, fire the engine up in a well ventalated area and allow it to burn off, then repeat this after it cools down. It leaves a gunmetal like finish and seems to keep rust off them and last a long time.
Click to expand...


Wow i've NEVER heard of that one....sounds crazy enough that someone's probably done it and it worked. Seems like it would burn and stink/smoke like crazy though.
 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because
Founding Member
Jan 15, 2002
2,773
17
89
Dallas, GA
Oct 19, 2004
#8
  • Oct 19, 2004
  • #8
85_SS_302_Coupe said:
Wow i've NEVER heard of that one....sounds crazy enough that someone's probably done it and it worked. Seems like it would burn and stink/smoke like crazy though.
Click to expand...

I knew a guy I used to work with and he had done it to his truck on a set of Flowtech longtube headers and he parks it outside and daily drives it everyday. He said the flowtechs had leaks the first time he started them up, had the leaks welded, they started to rust, he sandblasted them and then did this technique and never had problems with them since, but he reapplied it a few times over the years. He said it does make a lot of smoke and stink but goes away in a short time.
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
15 Year Member
Nov 11, 2003
6,945
1,597
223
Northern KY
Oct 19, 2004
#9
  • Oct 19, 2004
  • #9
90mustangGT said:
I knew a guy I used to work with and he had done it to his truck on a set of Flowtech longtube headers and he parks it outside and daily drives it everyday. He said the flowtechs had leaks the first time he started them up, had the leaks welded, they started to rust, he sandblasted them and then did this technique and never had problems with them since, but he reapplied it a few times over the years. He said it does make a lot of smoke and stink but goes away in a short time.
Click to expand...

That kinda makes me wonder if you could do that and then use some quality hi-temp paint and make it last longer.....just not sure if the paint would adhere to the lubed and burned up surface. I'm sure my MACs will rust up eventually...i'll have to give it a shot.


Also, as far as the header wrap goes, i've heard horror stories about hot spots on daily driven cars, not to mention that the wrap collects moisture while the car isnt being driven, so if it's not a daily driver, it could add to rust buildup under the wrap. That aside, it's gotta have some benefits that outweigh the cons since it's been around for so long.
 

Black1987Stang

Active Member
Aug 22, 2004
1,422
0
37
Jersey Shore
Oct 20, 2004
#10
  • Oct 20, 2004
  • #10
A guy from a classic car show told me about the trans fluid trick. Never seen it done though, he said it turns it white. I got some "jet hot coat spray" from a swap meet that is not supposed to burn off or anything. havent tried it yet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
what would you do? sell the project and buy completed or finish project?
  • STANG32
  • Feb 8, 2025
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
570
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 16, 2025
rusty428cj
  • Locked
Engine Might have to get a Dart block but don't want to and if I do, then 363 instead of 331. Thoughts on what I've already bought so far.......
  • from6to8
  • Jul 8, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
406
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 8, 2025
Noobz347
Fox What do you guys think I should do with my quarter windows
  • AnthonyA1234
  • Sep 24, 2023
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
21
Views
4K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 6, 2024
Mustang5L5
Might have to get a Dart block but don't want to and if I do, then 363 instead of 331. Thoughts on what I've already bought so far.......
  • from6to8
  • Jul 8, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
52
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 9, 2025
from6to8
M
Exhaust Chrome Header Question
  • Middleagecrisis
  • Jun 14, 2021
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 19, 2021
Willybill32
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?