

| Subject: | Re: Warning - Avoid Fiberglass Wrapping Air Cooled Headers |
| From: | Chris S |
| Date: | Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:11:23 -0500 |
I posted this back in July on Samba and a similar post here on the list: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=308952&highlight=exhaust+wrap I have about 30 feet of wrap left. Any takers? ;-) 2008/11/10 Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@gmail.com>: > Howdy List, > > This may have been covered but I thought another reference wouldn't hurt. > > When I installed my Boston Bob 2.0 Air-Cooled motor last year I went over > every component and replaced/refurbished as best I could. That work > included wrapping the exposed header pipe that runs from the heads to the > heat exchanger cover. I see this sort of wrapping on a variety of engines, > especially of the high-performance flavor so I figured it had to be a good > idea. I also had hopes of warmer cabin heat since more heat would be > transferred into the heat exchangers and I had hopes of cooler heads > (maybe). > > What ended up happening was that the header pipes melted and cooled > repeatedly. A week or so ago I developed an exhaust leak which turned out > to be a cracked header (under the fiberglass). When I tapped on that header > it crumbled. I pulled both heat exchangers and all 4 header pipe sections > that had been wrapped were easy to tap holes into and chip/crumble to bits. > > I have since learned that I am not the only one to experience this problem > on an air-cooled VW. A local air-cooled VW machinist reported of hearing > about similar melting headers when wrapped. > > If anyone wants to see pictures I have a few that I can p-mail or post > somewhere online. > > Jonathan Poole > '83 AC Westy > -- Chris S. Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"
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