[Eddie]

Charliek, you have a gorgeous car, and this may not be for you and wanting to be 'correct' and all. But this is what I used on my tube headers, They have the cast iron grey colour and it withstands high temps without flaking, peeling, rust ect.. http://www.jet-hot.com/colorchart.html I used the stirling silver colour/thermal barrier inside coating too

[charliek]

Thanks you guys for all your comments. If I can just get this thing back together in my life time.

[Jon]

Those factory manifold/headers look pretty cool Charlie. I'm thinking about looking for a set. Seriously.

That's amazing Drew they have a coating now to withstand the heat at that point in the exhaust. Must be some Hi tech stuff.

It was interesting to read how the T/A heads in factory cast didn't flow any better then the X heads. Why wouldn't the factory finish them a little closer to the ultimate potential the racers ported them to.? maybe drivability?

Take your time Charlie with the install. Don't rush things as that can lead to unsatisfactory results. I remember many nights working late to get back on the streets and I usually regretted the hast. Just my 2 cents.

[drewcrane]

i dont have a clue about correctness,i just paint it black,and if im not sure i get on this site and ask dave that engine looks sweet to me,when we were kids building model car kits my brothers would get all worked up about small details,and i would reply "build it and move on",that engine is done imo and its time to start on another part on the car, again just my opinion!

[Eddie]

Yeah Jon, The pushrod angle was more pronounced with a larger intake port and the 59 degree lifter/pushrod angle on production smallblocks made the geometry even worse. I think this was unacceptable for production. Also the larger the intake port the slower the velocity, thus low speed operation suffered. next week I'll post a pic of a small block intake port that flows 370+CFM out of a 2.220 Intake valved on a 4.200 bore modified engine. Although this particular head is 'made' for 10,000 RPM's!! I apologise Charliek on this off topic discussion, but I wanted to answer Jon's question, sorry.

[Jon]

Yeah sorry Charlie. (oh sh*!, did I just say that) No really, sometimes we stray off subject and the thread takes off askew. I think you did start it with the question of the X casting on your motor though.

Eddie, sounds like you are well informed with the small blocks also. The offset rocker setup seems like it would be a high maintenance item. All that force going off center doesn't seem quite right. Don't know much about porting and air flow either but it sounds interesting.

[christer]

Here are my exhaust manifolds. Anyone know what color they should be painted?

//Chris

[drewcrane]

nice christor you found the ad i was talking about,that stuff works!

[charliek]

No problem about the straying. Anyway you guys didnt stray that far. Jon., you arew right, I will take my time and try to do it right. I just stripped the trunk to repaint. I wasnt going to go that crazy but once I started I got carried away. I am away right now but when I get back I will prime and spray the trunk in the same PPG basecoat/clear coat. That clear is awesome. It lays out like glass (PPG Concept 2021). I will take some pics when its done. BTW Jon those manifolds are big $. I saw a set go on ebay for over $500, phew!