Fellow Listers:
Everything I know about heat control I have learned from the street-rod
crowd. As a rule that bunch basically sits right on top of their Hemi
V-8's and V-10's and anything else they can cram into a '30's Ford
Coupe.
The guy that does all my restoration work builds street rods for a
living and it was he I went to after we got tired of roasted toes. We
discussed a number of options and products on the market they use
because the problem is essentially the same: small bodies/a lot of
wood/way too much heat from a big engine. (In that light the Morgan is
nothing more than an expensive street rod!)
We decided, as a first choice, to "jet-coat" or "porcelainize" the
exhaust headers because it would do two things: greatly reduce the heat
output in that area and change an area that look rusty to whatever color
you might want. I personally went with gunmetal grey.
I personally have no idea about this, but my street rod guy says the
best company in America is one call JET-HOT. I do know they offer a
lifetime rust-through protection guarantee and a 3 year satisfaction
guarantee. We are well into our first year and they still look perfect
to me.
As far as cost, my total bill came to $630 - made up of
labor/shipping/coating. You can affect this cost through your
abilities.
We also looked at some of the space-age insulation materials that could
be installed on either side of the firewall. There is some great stuff
out there designed for cars. At this point I don't think we are going
to move in that direction, but it is still a good option.
Since street-rodders are everywhere you shouldn't have any trouble
finding them. Now you have something to talk about!
Later,
Arlo Levisen
Revillo, South Dakota
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