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-   -   Will this solve the exhaust port paint burn off issue? (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=884924)

Terry M. Hunt 04-08-2026 01:50 PM

Will this solve the exhaust port paint burn off issue?
 
Looking at Eastwood Internal Exhaust Coating. Wondering if applying this 2-3 inches into each exhaust port from the exhaust manifold side would lower temps in this area enough to prevent paint burn off on the outer surface. Would using this product this way then result in the exhaust temps flowing into the exhaust manifolds, head pipes, mufflers, etc. to be higher than normal and perhaps higher than these parts are designed to withstand? Has anybody tried this?

rwfisher 04-08-2026 02:02 PM

I think you’ll still see temps. that are high enough to blister the paint. What was recommended to me years ago by a noted Pontiac restorer was to not apply the engine paint to those areas you know are going to burn off. Instead, paint in those areas with Eastwood cast iron look high temp paint. This still looks like the paint has burned off but will be rust resistant and not show the gold tone of the burnt engine paint. Easily touched up with a brush if needed. This also works on the intake crossover if you don’t run that blocked off.

67drake 04-08-2026 02:13 PM

I have no clue. But it would be a great idea if it works. I’ve been painting my exhaust port and intake crossover area with header paint, followed up by engine color for years. It works OK. But if your idea works it might help keep the engine paint from burning off. So I’ll be watching this thread as I’m going to be putting an engine together pretty soon.

JLMounce 04-08-2026 02:17 PM

I think it's eastwood that makes a very high temp silver engine paint that is known to do a decent job with this. Use that as the base coat over the exhaust ports, then paint your typical Pontiac Blue engine paint over that.

With that said though, I don't mind the paint burning on exhaust myself. When I see Pontiacs at shows, events etc and they've still got a Pontiac engine, I always look at the exhaust ports and I can tell who actually drives their cars.

VCho455 04-08-2026 04:23 PM

I've been painting the ports first with two coats of silver BBQ paint and then two coats of the metallic blue engine color for years.

Formulajones 04-08-2026 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwfisher (Post 6611149)
I think you’ll still see temps. that are high enough to blister the paint. What was recommended to me years ago by a noted Pontiac restorer was to not apply the engine paint to those areas you know are going to burn off. Instead, paint in those areas with Eastwood cast iron look high temp paint. This still looks like the paint has burned off but will be rust resistant and not show the gold tone of the burnt engine paint. Easily touched up with a brush if needed. This also works on the intake crossover if you don’t run that blocked off.

I've taken that a step further but with a different product.

For many years I've coated that area with POR15 cast iron paint but I don't leave it that way. After that cures I then cover it with the proper engine color paint when I paint the rest of the engine.

This has lasted me years, I very rarely have to go back and touch up the blue paint. In fact I've put at least 60,000 on my own since this was done and I think maybe I've went back and lightly touched it up twice. I've used this method on builds I've done for others with good results.

Terry M. Hunt 04-08-2026 07:35 PM

Will this solve
 
I’ve tried all the gimmicks over the past 40 years, but none of them worked. Some briefly prolong the time before the paint fades out, turns brown, then turns to white ash., but that always seems to be the outcome. I would try the internal exhaust product if I could convince myself that I wouldn’t wind up setting the car on fire from the unexpected red hot glowing exhaust system that might occur. There must be somebody who has tried this, but low odds of ever discovering who they are I guess.

Cardo 04-08-2026 07:59 PM

I've done it with the Eastwood product. It still burns the blue off and then it's gray instead of rust colored.

Half-Inch Stud 04-08-2026 08:32 PM

I use the composite gaskets, to keep manifold heat from conducting back into the Exh port//Head.

JLMounce 04-08-2026 08:38 PM

One often unlooked aspect of this is the state of tune in general. A lean mixture and late ignition timing will create higher EGT's and that heat will be absorbed by the exhaust ports in the head.

fattening up the mixture a bit and making sure the engine has enough timing in it could help prolong the paint in this area.

NeighborsComplaint 04-09-2026 12:18 AM

I primer the head with VHT Silver and then spray the heads with engine paint avoiding the exhaust exhaust port runners. Once it’s dry, I mix VHT Blue and Silver header paint together in a Preval sprayer and lightly coat the ports overlapping the engine paint slightly. Holds up very well.

nUcLeArEnVoY 04-09-2026 09:37 AM

This also doesn't happen as easily with aluminum heads, so you know... can't think of a better reason to upgrade. :P

70 bird 04-10-2026 06:02 PM

I gave up trying to keep them Pontiac blue, I sprayed the ports with VHT flat black header paint. It doesn't look that bad and I don't have to look at ash and rust anymore.

b-man 04-10-2026 06:12 PM

1 Attachment(s)
It’s a Pontiac.

The paint burns.

Part of the charm of owning a Pontiac V8. :)

P@blo 04-10-2026 07:17 PM

Matches my burnt intake exhaust crossover paint. Love it :D


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