Heat Exchanger Preservation Options

[jack20]

Hello,
The heat exchangers on my 2.0/4 are original and seem to be solid. Engine is out of the car and I'm finding all kind of projects as a result. I was thinking of removing the exchangers, having them gently media blasted and then paint with some kind of heat resistant paint. Anyone done this? What paint did you use and what is the correct color?
Thanks in advance,
Jack

[914Sixer]

You might think about Jet Hot Coating if you want to go all out. If not Stoddard Porsche Parts has the correct factory color grey/blue in a rattle can $15.

[914Next]

You might think about Jet Hot Coating if you want to go all out. If not Stoddard Porsche Parts has the correct factory color grey/blue in a rattle can $15.

I've been thinking about doing this to mine also but isn't there a good chance that they rust from the inside out due to moisture in the exhaust? Would think Jet hot would do no good in this case.

[CatDaddy60]

I in no way want to hijack your thread. While I was looking for threads on type 4 EF,I on the Samba page was a mention of a guy that had pulled his exchangers apart, welded patch pieces, and one of the interesting things replaced the asbestos mats (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif) with new with a high heat mat and closed them up when he was finished they looked great.. They were for a VW bus but the principles that he used were the same to rebuild a 914 set.

[jack20]

I'm not that territorial about my threads. I usually learn something. Good info from The Samba.

Thanks for the tip on the Stoddard paint. That's just what I was looking for.

Jack

[PanelBilly]

You might check on ceramic coating. They do that on the insides too. There's color choices but they might not have a oem match. I guess they do the inside of the exhaust but not the inside of the heat shield

[Tom_T]

You might think about Jet Hot Coating if you want to go all out. If not Stoddard Porsche Parts has the correct factory color grey/blue in a rattle can $15.

I've been thinking about doing this to mine also but isn't there a good chance that they rust from the inside out due to moisture in the exhaust? Would think Jet hot would do no good in this case.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
Jack -

You'll want to pressure check them to make sure there is no leakage from the exhaust pipes into the heat exchanger jacket to prevent CO poisoning BEFORE you spend money on restoring them. If any leakage at all, then probably best to scrap them.

Soda, Walnut or least abrasive blasting means to remove the rust is best, due to the tin metal on them.

As for Mark's/914sixer suggestion - I'm not sure if Stoddard's still has that Wurth Porsche Exhaust Grey paint anymore, cuz Wurth stopped making it for a while. I don't know if they've started it up again.

You can check with Bev or Tom at TC'sGarage.com who are also Wurth dealers now to check if they can get some & the price will probably beat Stoddards (mention me referring you &/or PCA membership for maybe 10-15% discount IIRC) & get a price quote.

Another option is a close grey High Temp exhaust/engine paint from Rustolium, SEM, etc. at the FLAPS, Home Despot, etc. A 3rd option is to get them ceramic coated or high temp PC in a close gray color.

However, get the total cost for any of those you'd consider 1st - then compare with the cost to get a nice used set of SSI stainless steel HEs - or the new ones out again now, since they won't rust again in your lifetime! IIRC SSI sells them in the SF Bay Area, & through Dansk at any Porsche parts house & possibly dealers (check with Sunset Porsche & Suncoast Porsche if they can get them at their usual discount or try the PCA discount at you nearest dealer).

They can also be painted in factory grey if you want that look for originality, but you won't get dinged in any PCA concours for the SS HE's, nor would many or anyone at a multi-marque show even know what was original for the HE's (I know cuz I judge in PCA Zone 8 - one of the toughest).

Whichever will be a great touch on your signal orange beauty! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

PS - I asked the Stoddards folks at the big March LA/OC Porsche Swap Meet a few years back why that Wurth Porsche Exhaust Grey spray paint was no longer on their website (the 356 vintage parts one), & they were going to try to get it back & then contact me, but they never got back nor said they had it or would get it when I followed up within 12 months of them. They may have it since, or found another source?

If so, then maybe Mark/914sixer can post a link to the part for us all.

Check it all out & Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[Darren C]

Hello,
The heat exchangers on my 2.0/4 are original and seem to be solid. Engine is out of the car and I'm finding all kind of projects as a result. I was thinking of removing the exchangers, having them gently media blasted and then paint with some kind of heat resistant paint. Anyone done this? What paint did you use and what is the correct color?
Thanks in advance,
Jack

Hi Jack, I did exactly that.

Check out month 2 of my build off challenge thread for details.

The hardest bit is getting the blast media out from inside the exchangers. Took me hours shaking and gently tapping it with a hammer to get it all out prior to painting.

[914Sixer]

Tom,
Stoddards has their brand paint made up. Not Wurth but color correct.

[Tom_T]

Tom,
Stoddards has their brand paint made up. Not Wurth but color correct.

Mark, I was trying to get you post a link to it for the OP. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
....Here ya go Jack -
http://www.stoddard.com/nla09500600.html

They must've made their own when Wurth stopped. All the 356, 911 & 912 guys were unhappy when Wurth stopped making it.

Stoddard's used to carry it at their NLA Parts site here -
http://www.nlaparts.com/store/index.php

.... but no more!

NLA is their subdivision with the same 800 numbers as on the main Stoddard's website here -
http://www.stoddard.com/

Stoddard's 914 parts are here -
http://www.stoddard.com/914.html

You can still check with Bev & Tom Gould at TC's Garage to see if they can get the Wurth equivalent, if they make it again - as I mentioned above.
TC's is here -
http://www.tcsgarage.com/

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[jack20]

Hello,
The heat exchangers on my 2.0/4 are original and seem to be solid. Engine is out of the car and I'm finding all kind of projects as a result. I was thinking of removing the exchangers, having them gently media blasted and then paint with some kind of heat resistant paint. Anyone done this? What paint did you use and what is the correct color?
Thanks in advance,
Jack

Hi Jack, I did exactly that.

Check out month 2 of my build off challenge thread for details.

The hardest bit is getting the blast media out from inside the exchangers. Took me hours shaking and gently tapping it with a hammer to get it all out prior to painting.

Thanks Darren. I found your build thread and lost 3+hours of production because I was so wrapped up in your documentation. Beautiful job on the car and the write up.
After reading I felt like selling my car as is and watching golf on tv.
Jack

[jack20]

Tom,
Stoddards has their brand paint made up. Not Wurth but color correct.

Mark, I was trying to get you post a link to it for the OP. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
....Here ya go Jack -
http://www.stoddard.com/nla09500600.html

They must've made their own when Wurth stopped. All the 356, 911 & 912 guys were unhappy when Wurth stopped making it.

Stoddard's used to carry it at their NLA Parts site here -
http://www.nlaparts.com/store/index.php

.... but no more!

NLA is their subdivision with the same 800 numbers as on the main Stoddard's website here -
http://www.stoddard.com/

Stoddard's 914 parts are here -
http://www.stoddard.com/914.html

You can still check with Bev & Tom Gould at TC's Garage to see if they can get the Wurth equivalent, if they make it again - as I mentioned above.
TC's is here -
http://www.tcsgarage.com/

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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Tom,
Thanks for the helpful info. I pressure checked the exchangers and they are air tight.
I checked out the Stoddard paint. I think I'll buy some heat paint at my flaps in a close shade of gray. The exchangers each have dents so concours is out of the question and I'm really just interested in preserving them, at least for now. I don't want to get too upside down in this car...may be too late for that.
Funny thing is that I was just going to leave them as-is until my wife asked me what I was going to do about them. She's was right. All these pretty powder coated tins and those ugly heat exchangers? They'll look good in gray...even with a couple dents.
Thanks,
Jack

[Tom_T]

Jack,

Just tell them that they're OE dents! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Make sure to use some rust converter after the media blasting, then I'd recco the Rustoleum High Temp Auto gray paint, since ti has some rust preventative properties - from what you've said are your goals. IIRC the FLAPS spray high temp paints don't have any rust preventative additives.

I got the Rustoleum HT grey to refinish my 88 Westy's muffler & exhaust pipes (waterboxer, so not HEs), but I have SS HEs for the 914 resto.

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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