Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I just had my intake and exhaust manifolds for my ‘37 done with Cerakote in the Kansas City area. It was $400 for the pair which included all prep work.

After reading Pgh Ultramatic’s $1500 experience, I checked with Finishline who ceramically coated my beautiful manifolds. Here was their response:

I looked up your records and in 2004 we charged $425.00 for your manifold and intake. I made a note that we had to pull them apart to coat properly. I don’t know if only the exhaust manifold needs coating or if there are additional parts. No way a manifold should cost $1500.00. Somebody is way overcharging !!.
If you brought in only the exhaust manifold the cost would be $300.00 - $350.00. We would clean it thoroughly . The ceramic will be applied 2- times on the outside and once on the inside. This method will prohibit rusting and will be a good insulating method.
Be wary of anyone that wants to powder coat your exhaust as that is not the proper coverage. Powder coating will melt off with heat and gasoline will destroy the finish. Porcelain finish is another method that has been used in years past. As you know porcelain cracks after heating up and offers no insulating benefits. That process might cost $1500.00.
Shop time is generally one – two weeks depending on our work load.
We are closing the shop for 2- weeks in August for repairs to equipment so send parts ASAP.
Many thanks once again.
Lona Jensen
Finishline Coating
2889 SE Silver Springs Rd
Milwaukie, Oregon 97222
503 659 4278

That was what I recall a buddy of mine said it cost, not my experience.

His was a 1929.

I guess I should tell him someone is ripping him off 🤔

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Ok I cross checked with him. He got his PORCELAIN coated not CERAMIC coated. Porcelain coat makes it look like chinaware and Packard stopped doing it starting 1940... and only for senior cars before then.

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Junior cars were also porcelain coated. I know the 1937 120s were porcelain coated.

Pulled my headers off today. Have a bit of variance, up to 15 thou, which is over what the service guides suggests is acceptable. Hmmmm, maybe time for a trip to the machine shop.




One important thing the service manual doesn't tell you, is to put rocks in your shoes so when you're leaning over your fender and pick up the manifolds you can get your feet back on the ground!

Manifolds sandblasted and I'm off the see my engine builder buddy tomorrow to get them resurfaced.





Regarding colour it appears that the intake is black. Can anyone verify if the intake was black from the facotry? I was going to paint them both with Eastwood's "Factory Gray" high temp paint, but maybe the intake should be black? Or maybe that's just the way it discoloured over the years??





When I reconnect the exhaust pipe to the manifold do I need to use something to seal it, or just bolt it back up? Service manual doesn't make mention of putting anything on here, but maybe a bit of Permatex high temp anti-seize?





On of the NZ guys on FB suggested using "Fire Rings" for the manifold gaskets to keep them from burning out. I hadn't heard of such a thing, but it would seem to be a good idea. Thoughts?





Just a pic of the gaskets.





Before I started on this project I had anticipated seized and broken bolts, but even the two bolts for the exhaust pipe came out without any issue. My Cavalier is always so nice to work on! Having said that, 2 studs did break free from the head, so I had to drain the antifreeze, a small inconvenience.

I believe that both were bare but I've also seen black intakes although whether original or not is another matter.

For the exhaust pipe connection, I can't recall if it was used as late as 1953 but on earlier ones at least there was a doughnut-like ring that seals it and it appears to still be there on the pipe in one of your photos. If it indeed has it, it needs to be replaced and no sealer other than that is required or even advised. The ring has a thin metal outer shell with a softer fiber core so it is usable only once.

There are all sorts of manifold colour combinations out there. When I sandblasted mine, while the intake appeared to be black it didn't appear to have paint on it, so I think Don is correct, they were bare cast.

Here's what AI says about cast iron, which when I think about a frying pan makes sense. "Cast iron intake manifolds naturally season to a dark gray or black color due to heat, oxidation, and the buildup of carbon deposits and other materials. This is a natural process that occurs over time as the manifold is exposed to the engine's heat and combustion byproducts."

Now I'm considering painting the exhaust manifold to keep it from getting rusty and leaving the intake and letting it season.











Don, you're 100% correct about the exhaust pipe seal! I thought maybe it was just a rounded end on the pipe, but when I look closer it is a seal just like you describe. And then I remember seeing on in my engine gasket set. I'm good to go! If the last one was installed correctly the little split in the ring goes toward the manifold.

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That’s great and I’m not sure it really matters which way it goes.