Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22788 Location: UK

I'm currently pondering what to do with the Dodge's combined inlet/exhaust manifold. Its a hefty old lump of iron, and will be the first thing visible whenever the n/s bonnet is opened.

The safest option is to simply clean it back and paint it in high-temp paint. But the vitreous enamel option would probably look best of all, however I've read one or two reports of the process causing cracks to the manifold itself. As I'd never find a replacement manifold, is this a valid risk or just a one-off piece of bad luck that someone had with their's?

Opinions welcomed!!

thanks, R
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buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

I would play it safe, just think how anoyed/upset you would be if you broke it, I know it may look nice, but was it made to look nice at the time.

I have no idea of the process, so couldn't comment on it really.

Cheers

Dave

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22788 Location: UK

I'm thinking I might try just the paint route for now and see how it goes, it could always be re-done at a later date

one idea I read on the VSCC forum was to use the stuff for re-blacking cast iron fire grates and the like

R
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Uncle Joe · Guest

The reason that things crack when they are coated with VE is not because the surface treatment cracks them, but because they have some sort of defect prior to being treated. So therefore, if this is the way to go, the items MUST be crack tested first.

Nowadays, there are two other options. The first is to use the Cast Iron grey paint that comes in rattle cans. It OK, as long as the surfaces are prepared carefully beforehand, and one is prepared to do a refinish now and again. Repairs to a VE surface incidentally, are not possible really.

The second method is to get them ceramically coated. Several companies offer this service nowadays, and they even offer cast iron grey as well.

In a short while, if all goes well, I'll be using one of these two methods to do a couple of manifolds myself....

Phil - Nottingham · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham

Export models of P5 3 Litres had vitreuos enamamelled exhaust manifolds for some reason. I have one fitted. Almost all of it has come off now though Crying or Very sad

It was a nice shiney medium grey but was a standard Qualcast manifold. These manifolds are prone to distortion and cracking although it never has cracked in its 44 years of life, it has been refaced twice
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22788 Location: UK

Thanks gents, I think I'll have a look through a Frost catalogue and remind myself of what they have on offer. For now I think I'll go with the painting route, can always improve it later

R
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Uncle Joe · Guest

Rick, theres a place in Warrington that can do the ceramic coating for you, if you change your mind.

Or are you frightened of crossing the Mersey? Laughing

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22788 Location: UK

Thanks for reminding me UJ, I came across a place over that way the other week when I did a bit of looking around on the subject. I should probably find out what it would have been finished in originally too!!

R
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Uncle Joe · Guest

I can probably answer that one, as it was ex-military wasnt it?

Greeney in France · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:11 pm Post subject:

Putting my ten penith worth in I had my S Type manifolds done by a coating company in 1994 as it was originally done, I wished I hadn't as it wasn't successful, nothing to do with the quality or work it just wasn't meant to last, I have only completed 8000miles since I finished it in 1996 after only about 2000 it started to deteriorate at the hottest places, I wish I had sand blasted them and HT paint coated them, my friend did the same to his E Type and they still look good Rolling Eyes

With the strong products around now glossy finishes are as good now and good for 1500°
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22788 Location: UK

it came over as part of a consignment of military vehicles yes

R
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Uncle Joe · Guest

The only colour the US military had in WWII was olive green. Usually painted over either a white base, or none at all.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22788 Location: UK

It didn't go with the US military though, the consignment was originally planned to go to France, but after the invasion the vehicles were diverted to the UK and taken up by the British, either the Army or (like mine) by the RAF. My suspicion is that it was finished in whatever Chrysler were using on all their lorries in the late 30s(ish), civvy or military

R
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Uncle Joe · Guest

Rick, I'm not by any means saying that your information is wrong, but I would hazard a guess that this is nearer to being correct.

The US didnt send much equipment to the UK during the first years of WWII. The BEF left France in early May, 1940. In June 1940, Churchill tried to persuade Roosevelt to sell Britain a number of warships due to loosing 11 in a week. This in its turn led to the Lend-Lease act that was signed March 11 1941. It was after this date the majority of war supplies started to be shipped over. Roosevelt had forseen this, and the US was already starting to gear up its manufacture of material.

I cant remember the exact year of your Dodge, but its reasonable to assume that even if it was built before 03/11/41 it was originally meant for the US military. Hence my guess as to the green manifolds...

Kaybee · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:34 am Post subject:

I reckon UJ is on the right track, the manifold would have been painted in whatever the engine was ,and the whole assembly would have been done at the same time, not painted seperately....not too much time for detailing then.... Smile

....and would have burnt off in about 5 minutes of running. I'd go for a light sandblast and the stove black, or if the deluxe finish is desired... ceramic coat it. I've used vitreous enamelling before and like has been said, it doesn't last all that long. If it gets wet while it's hot, it cracks like glass.... cheers, Col.
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