Refurb heat exchangers?

epbrown · 09-21-2004, 08:49 PM

A while back I posted about a buddy of mine with leaking exchangers. We found some cheap used ones on eBay for him and we're going to try our hand at installing them this weekend. The are the original exchangers of someone's 81SC who upgraded to SSIs a while back. They seem serviceable, but look kind of crappy. I was thinking we'd try and clean them up and maybe paint them. Has anyone done this? Any recommendations as far as paint or prep?

RoninLB · 09-21-2004, 09:12 PM

I'd at least pressurize the tubes to 10psi with a shut-off and psi gauge to see if it has leaks.

epbrown · 09-22-2004, 11:00 AM

Thanks, and he's already had them checked for leaks at a muffler shop. My worry is that, this being Chicago, we'll only get a couple of years before these rust out if something isn't done to protect them. But, having gotten a deal already, he doesn't want to spend a lot having them blasted and professionally painted. But I ask because his idea of just slapping on barbecue paint sounds wrong.

Emanuel

RoninLB · 09-22-2004, 11:12 AM

I used the Por-15 high temp flat black successfully on a stock muffler. It's a 1,200deg paint.

I'm not sure about using it on a stainless HE envelope? The EGT's may run up to 1,350deg 1" from the head, but I don't think the tube gets anywhere near that temp? Call them about using Black Valvet on stainless if your curious. My muffler looked great after 4yrs and 40k miles. I prepped the muffler with patience.