Re: [alfa] powder coating for header

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi David:

I've got a '72 - '74 exhaust system on my '87 Spider, from the head out, 
and it works very well.  I have a threaded bung welded into one of the 
downpipes, just in front of the Y where the two pipes come together, and 
installed a generic Bosch 3-wire O2 sensor.  There's been a very nice 
improvement in performance, and using an old set of '74 manifolds and all 
new OEM/Cisam parts, the whole job was <$300.  You do know that the earlier 
manifolds won't mate up with the front exhaust piece on your '86, right?

I've had some exhaust parts ceramic-coated here:

http://www.pbmotorsports.com/ceramic_coating.htm

I seem to remember that a 2-piece manifold cost a bit less than $125 
shipped.  I have also used the high-temp brush-on coating from Eastwood, 
which works well enough, but you'll have to get the manifolds sand-blasted 
for a good result.  After about 3 years, the area of the manifolds just 
downstream of the head flanges is a bit deteriorated, but that's on my '74 
Spider and represents just several thousand miles of driving.

If you want a trick to make the exhaust installation a bit easier, buy a 
set of stainless steel nuts, bolts, and washers for the connection between 
the manifolds and the downpipes.  Weld a washer under the head of each 
bolt, then grind one edge of the washer into a shape that locks it against 
the edge of the manifold when the bolts are installed.  Each one will be 
shaped differently, and when you're under the car tightening the nuts, 
those washers will keep the bolts from turning.  Turns a real PITA job into 
only 5 minutes of work.

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's


At 06:25 PM 7/1/2004, you wrote:

> Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2004 14:30:50 -0600
> From: "David Lee" <pdlee@domain.elided>
> Subject: [alfa] powder coating for header
>
> Hi, this is my first attempt to write a question/comment to the digest.
> Please bear with me if I goof.
>
> I recently acquired a '72 spider header that I intend to install in my 86
> Veloce Spider to improve power and torque.  To spiff it up, I wanted to
> powder-coat or somehow paint the cast iron OEM header to prevent rust and
> oily surface.  I was told there is no paint that can withstand the heat
> (what is the max temperature at the hearder?).  Does anyone out there in
> Alfa-land have any experience with substituting 70's header for 80's spiders
> and any experience in painting the header?
>
> Thanks.
> David
> 76 spider
> 89 Quad spider
> 86 veloce spider
> Assorted British sports cars that cannot hold a candle to my Alfa's
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