Color Code for Heat Riser

[79SuperVert]

While putting the engine back in, I scratched the original light gray paint on the heat risers of my 64 engine that's in my 62. Anybody know the color code for that paint?

[glutamodo]

I've never heard of or seen a factory color code for these. Since you need to use a high temp paint it's not likely you'd be able to get some mixed up that would be reliable anyway. I've tried a number of different high temp and engine paints (using whatever medium gray color was available) over the years, I even had one manifold power coated, and none of them kept the right side from discoloring at least somewhat over time. Some held up a lot better than others, the powder coated one was probably the best, but even that one started looking pretty rough after several years of driving the car.

Now, a plugged up heat riser that doesn't get hot, well one of those would probably stay looking good, but I'd rather have it function correctly, and pay the price of the manifold discoloring. Last winter when I did some tests on how hot the my 40HP heat riser got that I posted here, this was one of the pics, you can see how this particular paint wasn't holding up very well. I should have used a different paint on this one.

[iNeon]

I am fixing to finish cleaning up my engine and stuff it back in-- At McParts tonight I saw 1200 degree "ceramic" coating by the engine paints-- I think maybe I'll give it a try on mine!

I was just going to use aluminum engine paint. That should be ok, too-- It'll discolor, most paint does.
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[Rome]

Joe, I think John from www.thebugshop.org may have some practical tips.

That section of preheat pipe, if unplugged and working correctly, is in direct contact with the exhaust gases from cyl. #2. Some of the "POR-20" hi-temp engine paints are most likely alot darker grey than the paint on your manifold...

[79SuperVert]

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

[EverettB]

POR-20 is the wrong color but it looks nice.

Here's a POR-20 painted manifold on my '63 Notchback:

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[KTPhil]

I would think the thinnest possible coat of flat grey high temp paint would be best. Anything thicker than a dusting would probably retain heat and therefore fry.

[79SuperVert]

It's just that the 64 engine I have was a factory rebuild installed in '81 and it still looks almost new. I don't have the heart to repaint any part of it.

[Major Woody]

I got mine ceramic coated--same stuff they put on mufflers. It is a matte aluminum color. It will NOT bake off or discolor.

[79SuperVert]

Well a rattle-can of exhaust manifold gray from Auto-Zone turned out to be almost a perfect match. Dab some on, wait a bit, light wet-sand to spread it around, and it at least covers the bare metal and kind of blends in with the rest of the slightly dirty manifold. Works for me.

[zcraigs]

Probably a very dumb question, but why does the right side of the heat riser discolor more than the left?

[glutamodo]

Because the exhaust gasses travel one direction - from the head to the muffler. The closer to the cylinder head, the hotter the pipe is. It depends on the manufacturer of the muffler as to which pipe (stock style mufflers only here) goes to the head or the muffler, but usually it's the one on the right that goes to the head, so that's the hotter side.

-Andy

[zcraigs]

can discoloration be a sign of a problem?

[glutamodo]

No, it's a sign that the heat riser is functional! - not plugged off with carbon that is, and that is good!