[countymounty]

I am in the process of having a Tremec 3550 transmission installed in my stang….since I was having an oil pressure problem I decided to save labor and go ahead and pull the engine and install a new oil pump, and since I’m there I bought a new Milodon oil Pan, pickup tube and windage tray, I just cant seem to stop……...so now I’m detailing the engine compartment…..
So here is my question…..I got to looking at my headers ( I have MAC equal length shortly headers)…..well there are kind of old and have a little rust, I was thinking of removing them, cleaning them up and painting them with some high tem. 1200deg. paint that is made for exhaust systems…..my question is will the paint hold up on the headers? I only have one friend that has used this type of paint on headers and he said it pealed…..was it the paint or did he not prep the surface correctly?. If I try, I’ll only be out my time, a set of new gaskets and the paint, but I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with it and if it was worth my time. I do not want to send the headers off to be coated because they were on the car when I bought it and they would not be my first choice of headers so I really don’t want to sink money into them…..

[Saleen Owner]

You friend didn't prep his headers very well. If you have them sandblasted by a shop, blow them off real good and paint with hi-temp they should do okay. I was a industrial coating applicator for years and did many for friends and coworkers and they never had problems.
Another option I use is header wrap (keeps under hood temp alot cooler) and silver header wrap paint I got from Summit catalog.

[countymounty]

Thanks for the info……. yes, the wrap idea was my second choice but wanted to try the pain first I will give it a try and when its all done I’ll post some pictures of the engine compartment.

[Twister]

I would use VHT 1500* paint

[JUSTNLX]

VHT is the only paint I found to stay on headers.

Good prep. work and keep your hands off the surface you plan to paint. The oils in your skin will mess with your paint job.

Wrapping your headers will cut the life of your headers by approx. half. Have you though about coating your headers.

Caps is one of the best in the industry. Give them a try.

http://www.capsbhc.com/