Refurbishing stock exhaust

[David T]

Actually I DO have experience, I still have the can that says POR-20! The best stuff I have used is Eastwood's Hi-Temp stuff. It goes on thin and is "activated" by the high temperature. Keeps the parts from rusting and gives them an even color. I used the grey but now they have other colors too. It has been a while since I used the POR-20, I don't know if it is even any good anymore. I wasn't all that pleased with how it came out anyway.

[DMC-81]

While the POR-15 paint is drying, I'll clean up and repaint the stock catalytic converter heat shield. It's asbestos so I'll take precautions and won't sand it.

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I posted the can of spray paint above that I selected for it.

[Rich_NYS]

It's gonna look great like the rest of your car.

I want to paint my OEM starter shield....I'll go with what you use on your cat shield.

[DMC-81]

Today I started pre-assembling the small parts on the manifolds and on the crossover pipe. I used anti-seize on the M10 studs in the manifolds, the 4 M6 X 12mm bolts that hold the SS heat shields on the pipe, and on the 2 plugs. I first painted my old plugs 2 coats, and after waiting 24 hours after the second coat, I cured them on the barbecue @ 400 degrees (after explaining to my wife what I was doing ). I laid them on aluminum foil to protect them from open flame. They fared well.

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I discovered that the 6 original M10 aero nuts were stainless. I soaked them in oxalic acid for a couple days, brushed them off, chased the threads with a tap, and washed them in water. They looked great.

I got new copper nuts with my DMC kit. I wonder if it's better to reuse the stainless ones, or use the new ones. I'll probably use the new ones.

It's gonna look great like the rest of your car.

I want to paint my OEM starter shield....I'll go with what you use on your cat shield.

Thanks Rich!

[Morpheus]

Looks great, Dana. Do you have an after shot of the heat shield post-spray?

[DMC-81]

Looks great, Dana. Do you have an after shot of the heat shield post-spray?

Hi Brandon,

Thanks! Sure, here it is cleaned up and sprayed with 2 coats. I'll probably add 1 or 2 more coats tomorrow, hence why the wires are still on the parts.

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[Rich_NYS]

Everything's looking great (as usual.)

What did you use on the heat shield?

[DMC-81]

Just in time for the long weekend, I was able to get these parts ready for installation...

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I previously refurbished the muffler with muriatic acid and wet sanded it with 600 grit and water, so that's ready to go too. (Be very careful if you use this acid. Strong nitrile gloves, long sleeves, safety glasses or a face shield and breathing protection are necessary. Use outdoors. Have baking soda and water to neutralize the acid on what you use it on, and on the acid before disposal.)

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Everything's looking great (as usual.)

What did you use on the heat shield?

Thanks Rich! I used an old toothbrush and a sparing amount of mineral spirits to clean it on the outside. The stains didn't really come off, but it cleaned off the flaking paint. Then, I applied 4 coats of "flameproof " paint. The first two soaked in a bit, but by the fourth coat I was able to get an even finish.

[DMC-81]

Today I got one manifold installed.

Driver's side block cleaned and M7 exhaust studs installed with anti-seize:
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Then, I used high temp gasket maker on my DMC gaskets.
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Gaskets placed:
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Manifold placed. I put gasket maker on the cast iron flange as well, so it's on both sides of the gasket. I installed the nuts finger tight for an hour, and then torqued to 11 ft/lbs with anti-seize afterwards:
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I'll do the other side tomorrow.

[Rich_NYS]

That.....looks.....NIIIIICE!