Got my 2055s all sandblasted. I also got VHT header paint. Should i bake them in the oven, or use a torch to cure them?

Some people say with a torch you can "see" the paint adhering to the metal, some say an oven turns the paint a slight yellow.

Others say the oven accomplishes nothing, torch is the way to go.

What do i do? Oven bake...or torch?

All input appreciated!

 

if you end up doing it in an oven, don't use a household oven, use one outdoors. don't ask me how i know.

i'd say just install them and run the engine for a half hour.

 

Just paint them, then put them on the car.
Don't use a torch, you won't be able to keep the entire header the same temperature, some spots may not get baked as well as others.
Since you have shorties, you can probably fit them in any oven.

 

The can does say how to cure them on the car. The only problem i have is i don't want the paint to get scratched putting them in, i searched and read that the paint is really soft before they're "baked." I suppose i could also put them in with latex gloves to keep my hand oils off before they get hot.

The drivers side is really easy, i dont think ill scratch them. However tonite i tried putting the pass. side in to test fit them, no luck. I'm taking my A/C box off and installing my delete box, so that should free up LOTS of room.

 

When I put the pass. side in, I cut out the areas of the flange between the bolt holes, so I at least didn't have to remove the dipstick.
I agree, it is very hard to put them in without scratching the paint, because the paint comes off very easily before it is baked, but you can put tape over the primary tubes to prevent that. Use a weak type of tape, like scotch tape or masking tape, just something that will be easy to remove.
You don't need to go so far as to try and keep 'hand oils' off, that won't affect anything.

 

I got the dipstick out already. This cutting on the flanges...what exactly did you cut?

 

The area on the flange between the primaries for cylinders 6 and 8, on the flange that bolts to the passenger side head.

 

Like this, you can cut out both areas in front/rear
It helps improve gasket lifetime when the flanges expand

 

What did you cut the flanges with?

 

I am getting ready to paint my Hooker Headers cat back system with that VHT paint also. I was thinking of curing the paint with one of those infra red heaters that is at the race car shop where i work for doing fiberglass curing.Its about 2 foot long and I can do a Section at a time.My car isnt street legal so i cant drive it around to cure the paint and i dont want to just let it sit and idle for so long.Does anyone think this wouldnt work?

 

Hack saw

Cleaned up with an angle grinder

 

I used a sawzall, then I cleaned up the cuts with a file.
Bruce91RS, why can't you let your car sit and idle for a while?

 

Well i decided to cure them on the car.

You guys really got me thinking about cutting my header flanges now. Is there any other benefit other than longer gasket life? Im using Percys Dead Soft gaskets, so they better not leak anyway. And installing them is no problem now. I got my A/C and smog all taken off, and that A/C delete box REALLY makes alot of extra room. I can get the pass. side header in without hittng anything! However the starter seems really close to the collector, should i be worried? Thanks

 

Just remember to re-torque all your header bolts in a couple weeks.

I have long tube headers, and my starter burned up just a few weeks after they were installed, so you may want to put a heat sleeve over the starter, or maybe a heat shield around it. When it came time to replace my starter, I thought about a chrome starter, figured the chrome might reflect the heat, but then I decided they cost to much to experiment with.

Don't 2055's have air tubes? Did you have to remove those?

 

Okay thanks, Might do it if i have the time and confidence lol

 

so if did you spray the inside of the headers how well/far did the spray paint reach inside the tubes?