Can anyone tell me whats inside the heat exchangers?

[korijo]

I am curious to know what is inside the tubes running through the heat exchangers, for 2 reasons.

The first is because the guy I bought them from packed them in styrofoam popcorn. Some got in the ports. I believe I sucked 'em all out, but in case I didn't, is everything okay?

Second, I want to know if I can clean them out and treat the innards with POR 15 exhaust coating?

Am I nuts? Whats in there?

[calbrat]

Usually burning oil or a rusty flapper!

[korijo]

I dont think any thing is stuck!?? Are there "fins" like in the bug ones? Or are they hollow in there? I just want to slosh some treatment around inside there.

[chrisreale]

Should just be straight through. The other pipes the heat exchangers wrap around is the headers. Unless there is a breeding alien colony, I dont think anything is in there. BTW, why treat it?

[korijo]

I dont know why I want to, just wondering. I was thinking of treating the exposed parts outside the SS (piping and flanges), when I thought of doing the same to the inside.

Here's my thinking: When the metal on the inside heats up, it expands. This in turn deposits carbon IN the metal, not just on it. If I were to heat up the pipes, and clean the $h!+ out them with the marine clean and a bung hole brush. Repeat. Then neutralize with metal ready. And finally, coat insides and exposed outsides with POR 15 high temp exhaust paint.

IMO, this would exhaust gasses more quickly. Carbon deposits will be minimal, and even easier to maintain (repeat marine clean process every few years). SS exchangers would last almost forever (not really:-) Then again, I was $+*n'D when pondering this.

BTW chris, I wasn't thinking of having you do it . I did my fuel tank you know. These should be easier. If I were to acutually do it!

[Brad Roberts]

Oh my.. your on crack. I think I have heard it all now. Nothing builds up on the stainless steel and nothing will erode it. I get HE's in the shop that have been around since 1977 when they where first released. People send them in just to make sure they are straight. We put them in the jigs and test fit them.

I would however enjoy seeing you try to get a hose down that 1.5 inch tube and spray the walls.

Ha ha

B

[kellzey]

What's inside the HE?

Check for small critters. Nothing like a little mouse skeleton flying our of your muffler!

Regards!

[Loan Dog]

Heat exchanger contents:

On the car, engine running: Hot Air

On the car, engine not running: Surrounding area temp. Air

Off the car: Air

Duh.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

OK, I'll try to respond seriously here...

I do not think there are any fins in between the "heat exchanger" wrapping and the header pipes. I think the wrappers are just that.

I am not certain, however.

--DD

[Loan Dog]

Hi Korijo, Just funnin' ya! Dave's right, the "heat exchanger" part of the heat exchanger, is simply a place that the hot air eminating from your header pipes is trapped and then flows into the cabin. Usually forced by the blower in the engine compartement. You hope there's nothing in the "tubes inside the heat exchangers" because those tubes are your exhaust headers. If there's anything in them, your engine will be constipated...sorry there I go again. I think you get the picture.
Don

[Loan Dog]

Hey Korijo, do you have an Uncle who's a bad Por-15 salesman or something? I think we just talked about why you should not use the stuff on head bolts. What else do you like to use it on? Cheerios? Wingtips? The cat? I think we may have to have an intervention here guys. He seems to be addicted and we're his only hope!

[korijo]

Hey now,

I just stay up late $mokin' and wondering. No uncle, no stock investments, no CRACK!! Just trying to learn more.

I am getting the rebuild video from Jake Raby just to watch and learn. I wont ever be able to do it (cause of my disease), just want to know these things, you dig it?

No worries on the $h!+ talkin, y'all are just "playa hate'in"

[roadtrp204]

I have taken apart a set of 75-76 and an early set ->74. The tin just surrounds the exhaust tubes, inside is just a passage for air to get hot.

Painting the inside might not be such a good idea.... buring paint fumes being directly forced into the passenger cabin. The burnt oil is bad enough.

[roadtrp204]

[Loan Dog]

All in fun Korijo! I am puzzled why you keep trying to find uses for Por 15 though. Brad's right, if your heater boxes are stainless they'll pretty much last forever. If they'er not, you should have bought stainless. I've got a real nice used set for a 1.7 / 1.8 if you want stainless and new ones aren't in the budget.
Don

[red-beard]

Them naked heat exchangers minds me of a wet cat.

Something just don't look quite right.

James

[dave blackburn]

Thats the funniest analogy that I have heard in a looong time. LOL!!!!!!!