Header Wrap On Schumacher's??

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3yearcuda

3yearcuda

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Im running a 440 in a 69 Barracuda and have the Schumacher Tri-Y's. I am in the build stage and had the engine in to break in and then took it back out for paint. I bought the chrome option which looked great for 20 minutes of running and now of course discoloured. I am putting the engine in for the final and am concerned about heat as they fit well, but are close (1/2") to the fender on the pass. side.
My question is...has anybody used the header wrap on these? Do I even need header wrap? I can live with the discoloration, but would be choked if my paint starts peeling off the fender.
Shoulda spent the bucks for the ceramic option. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I used header wrap on two sets of headers, end result, they both crystalized (as well as started leaking) and had to be replaced. The muffler shop told me that is a common happening when you wrap your headers.
 
Wrapping headers promote rusting out. Or wrap them and when they fail, get some ceramic coated Tri-y's.. That's kinda my plan.....
 
First off, as stated, header wrap traps moisture and rusts your headers to pieces. Secondly, Schumacher, as well as most other major header makers all say NOT to break a new engine with the new headers on it just for that reason. Because a new untuned engine will run the exhaust so hot it will damage any sort of coating. Guess you found that out.
 
Depending on how bad they discolored check with a local Harley shop for a cleaning product called blue away bikers use on their exhaust. It may have other names but may help. they will always discolor again. As said above Do not wrap them for street use. If you chose to get them coated go with a known good company. I had a local do mine because I was too cheap to go with JET HOT. Cost me $250 bucks and now I have to do it again because it didn't hold up.
 
Darter6 said:
Depending on how bad they discolored check with a local Harley shop for a cleaning product called blue away bikers use on their exhaust. It may have other names but may help. they will always discolor again. As said above Do not wrap them for street use. If you chose to get them coated go with a known good company. I had a local do mine because I was too cheap to go with JET HOT. Cost me $250 bucks and now I have to do it again because it didn't hold up.
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Agreed.

I had my daily driver Dart's Schumacher Tri-Ys CermiChromed and they look just OK after 5 years (some small "pitting" on the surface treatment showing..).

Next time, it's JET-HOT.
 
GT340 said:
I used header wrap on two sets of headers, end result, they both crystalized (as well as started leaking) and had to be replaced. The muffler shop told me that is a common happening when you wrap your headers.
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One of these header sets were ceramic coated and they crystalized too.
 
StrokerScamp said:
Because a new untuned engine will run the exhaust so hot it will damage any sort of coating.
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Common cause is a too-lean carb setting causing the extra heat for the 20-minute run time required to break in a flat tappet cam. You can lesson the possibility of discoloration by setting your carb up overly rich prior to cam break-in.
Of course, a roller cam doesn't need the break-in time.
 
Excellent feedback. Much appreciated. I will stay away from the header wrap, head to the Harley store, hope for the best on the fenderwell paint and someday coat them when i feel energetic enough to shoehorn the 440 back outta there. Thanks all for your help.
 
My 383 Duster has Schumacher chrome headers, was painted 5 years ago. The paint is fine.....due to the 440 yours are probably closer to the inner fenders but I bet you will be OK. My motorcycle experience has taught me to live with blue chrome.......
 
I was concerned about the proximity of the passender side tube to the fender too. So far, no damaged paint.
 
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