Header melting the engine seal

[gringoloco2000]

I have a bugpack ceramic 1 5/8 header that I cannot keep from touching the back engine seal (closest to the bumper). I just fired up the engine in the car for the first time and it was smoking pretty badly as the rubber screams for mercy. I thought maybe it would just melt, harden and stop smoking at some point. I only drove a block so far, so not much of a test. It was smoking quite a bit. I can't see how I can prevent it from touching it without cutting some of it maybe. Is there something I could use to insulate it? maybe wrap something around the header at the point of contact to reduce the heat?

[Cali_Army_Guy]

[Hilbilyrocker]

I’m experiencing the same thing. Did anyone find a remedy to this issue?

[beetlenut]

I just went through this with a newly rebuilt motor and a 1 1/2 inch SS exhaust. Burnt right through the first seal! New motor running hot during break-in with new engine seal fitting tight is not a good combo. Since I have a removable rear apron, I only had to replace the part on the apron. I got some header wrap for motorcycles from Autozone which is supposed to reduce the heat transfer by 50%. I wrapped the primaries coming off 2 and 4 with 2 full layers of the wrap. I also rejetted my carb because I feel I was running lean, went to a cooler plug, and changed oil viscosity from 15-40 to 5-30 weight. With only 150 miles on the engine at that point, it significantly cooled things down. No more engine seal problems, and I can handle the dipstick after running for a good while. While searching on here for remedies, more than a few people felt running a thicker oil would cause heat issues having to do with the bypass to the oil cooler. I'm inclined to agree after my experiences.
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[Glenn]

This is all related to the quality of aftermarket parts. They are all not made the same. Also if your car was ever hit in the back.

My Berg 1-5/8" clears the apron and seal. I've seen many other brands not and burn the seal.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
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[beetlenut]

[Hilbilyrocker]

Thanks for all your input. Great to have this forum to get help.
It’ll be a couple weeks, but I’ll post an update. 👍

[Multi69s]

Header wrap as mentioned will do the trick. If you get quality wrap, you can actually touch the exhaust when its hot and not burn your hand. I use it on my Type 1 in the area where the remote oil lines are close to the exhaust and it lowered my oil temp. I also use it on my Type 4 powered Squareback, but this time for the air conditioning lines.
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AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=

[bluebus86]

Maybe the motor sits too high in the engine bay, thus allowing the header to touch the seal. This maybe a motor mount issue? Mount too tall?

Bug On!
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[Hilbilyrocker]

I thought about that. I replaced the old ones. Maybe I need to use a different year motor mount w/ this rebuilt 2160 motor. Any suggestions?

[Bashr52]

[Hilbilyrocker]

Brand new, maybe 5 miles.
I ordered heat warpath last night.

[Bashr52]

[Hilbilyrocker]

Update on high heat headers.
I wrap the header around the area which press up against the seal.
So far so good. It really helped to keep from melting the seal.
Thanks

[gt1953]

I wrapped mine prior to install never an issue.
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