Another 2 cents re Headers and particularily wrapping them.

[heinz wittenbecher]

DON'T.... wrap 'em that is.

I've had Thorley's on my '76 for close to 200k and almost 10 years. They've
never been off, until now.

I don't know if the original manifolds would've lasted this long but they
might've. Anyhow this 2 cents worth is about wrapping headers. I never
received any advice/warning from the shop that installed them against
wrapping so when it came up some years later and pointed out to me that it
would help to get rid of heat faster, not that I had a problem, we wrapped
them. [ Sometimes we (at least I) do things just because, not for any real
reason other than that we (I) want the best for the coach as I fully expect
'it' to outlive me ]

Anyhow, after about 3 years after wrapping them the headers are
disintegrating in rust. What is now being explained to me is that you
'never' wrap headers in use on a motorhome, i.e. it's a racetrack
trick/application. Moisture collects during cooldown, etc. and eventually
there's nothing left. Makes sense, now...

I'm currently putting new ones on. Yes, Thorleys again. This time I'm doing
it 'in-house', which means that I got to open the box that contained a
"can't miss it" notice that warranty is void if headers are wrapped. I can't
help but wonder if the notice was there when I bought my last set... oh
well, that's water under the bridge.

So much for my ramblings (this time

Heinz
'76 Transmode

 

[patrick flowers]

>
> DON'T.... wrap 'em that is.
>
> I've had Thorley's on my '76 for close to 200k and almost 10 years.
> They've never been off, until now.
>
> I don't know if the original manifolds would've lasted this long but
> they might've.

Heinz,

200k/10yr is great life from headers. I doubt they would have lasted
longer unwrapped. They're plain steel tubing and, like the rest of the
exhaust plumbing, rust away over time. While corrosion under header
wrap is a concern, since yours lasted as long as they did, I think time
was probably the bigger enemy.

You may want to consider getting the new ones ceramic coated as Paul
did.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailtoatri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com

 

[heinz wittenbecher]

>DON'T.... wrap 'em that is.
>
>I've had Thorley's on my '76 for close to 200k and almost 10 years. They've
>never been off, until now.
>

An add-on to my ramblings as I ran into the question in another post.
Just as I was never forwarned by my installer against wrapping, no mention
was made that re-tightning of bolts is required/recommended. As a result
it's been about 100+k and many moons. Perhaps the credit here goes to
Thorley as no leaks have been encountered... not at the gasket or flange
anyways

Heinz