37 LaSalle exhaust insulating wrap

[Dan Burngasser]

Any recommendations on brand of exhaust wrap (just below the manifold to about the starter) to use on my LaSalle flathead? Thanks   Dan Burngasser CLC # 23531

[tturley]

McVey Cadillac has a real nice one that comes wet and is easy to form to pipe. You attach with 3 straps and when it dries it tightens up nicely to  the pipe.
Little pricy but nice.

[John Washburn CLC 1067 Sadly deceased.]

Dan,

If I had a choice instead of the old type insulation I used on my 1937 LaSalle coupe I would now go with what the hot rod guys are using. They have some amazing space age insulation that is thin and much better than the old insulation.

You might do a search on exhaust insulation and look at what the hot rod/racers are using.

Just my opinion.

The Johnny

[joeceretti]

I know the rule about advertising but this is not an advertisement. It is an example of what I used.

First off, I am a diehard on stating that these cars should be kept authentic BUT in this case asbestos is not permitted for very good reason. So, do we go with something that looks the part over something that performs the part?  I am not saying that the authentic wrap from the reproduction houses does not perform, I just don't know. I know this does. It looks good too, just not authentic but it looks antique to my eyes.

I decided to go with performance. When my engine is as hot as it can get without imploding on itself I can put my hand on the wrap I used AND keep it there. It's amazing.

This is what I used.

http://www.designengineering.com/category/catalog/dei-cycle/motorcycle-exhaust-pipe-wrap-kits/exhaust-wrap-tan

[Alan Harris CLC#1513]

Joe-

Out of curiosity, how much did you use?

[joeceretti]

I bought one roll of the two inch and used less than half of it. I have a photo, have to find it.

[joeceretti]

Here it is... I don't think I could have put it on with the engine in place. Not easily, or not at all. It would have been VERY difficult in any case.

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

Just to add a little doubt in authenticity here I did have an original 1938 V-16 exhaust pipe that still had the original asbestos wrap on it.  It's appearance was much closer to the hot rod version than the wet wrap.  I don't know what was original on the flatheads by an example but it may have changed between the late 30's and the late 40's.  I use the hot rod wrap because it just works a lot better.

[joeceretti]

Sorry Brad, but I have to ask... did you happen to get a photo of it? I'd love to see. 

[Steve Passmore]

Just to keep Brads theme going if you talking about authenticity the pipe was not wrapped that much Joe. I'm sure the original wrapping on most cars is long gone but my car had been off the road since the 60 so I know it was original.
I removed the original wrap from my convertible and it only covers a small area of the pipe farther down between the first bend and the starter and is covered by a metal casing thats spot welded into place at the factory trapping the asbestos inside. I wrapped mine with something we had available here but the whole pipe is not covered. The steel casing was very rusty and I had to cut the spot welds off. If would be a very difficult piece to remake so I left it off as I had a new exhaust system made and it would not fit the first bend exactly,  I still have it though.  Not sure when they discontinued using this method.

[joeceretti]

I think I am very close in length, maybe a few inches or up to about eight inches longer than what the 38 60 Special would have had for length. I believe I read or was told or saw somewhere last year that the higher end models had nearly the full exhaust wrapped. Below are a few snips from the MPB with my own quick and only vaguely correct names as to the correct application, as per the drawings in the MPB. Nothing appearing on these cars that varies from car to car and day to day would surprise me. From the MPB it looks like the LaSalle in 36 -38 had no wrap whatsoever. Again, nothing would surprise.

I went that far down to help keep the starter cool.

[Dan Burngasser]

Gentlemen,Thanks a million for the great feedback..................now it's decision time..Dan Burngasser CLC # 23531

[Steve Passmore]

Thats strange the MPB does not show the steel covering? It was defiantly a factory item. No one up to the 1960s would have had something specially made I'm certain. I would have thought the 60 series would have been their 'Lesser' models.  Interesting.

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

Steve,

That metal covering is typical of the 90 series cars and I think the 75 series cars that had the exhaust on the left side.  It may not be in the parts book because it came as a part of the exhaust pipe.  The pipe I got with the original wrap had a good metal covering so I cut the spot welds and used small screws and nuts to hold the two halves together with modern wrap underneath. 

Joe,

I thought I saved the original exhaust wrap in a sealed plastic bag but I have not seen it lately.  Will have to looks some more for it.

[joeceretti]

Thanks Brad. The amount of things that can be added to the authenticity manuals are endless.

[Steve Passmore]

Steve,

That metal covering is typical of the 90 series cars and I think the 75 series cars that had the exhaust on the left side.  It may not be in the parts book because it came as a part of the exhaust pipe.  The pipe I got with the original wrap had a good metal covering so I cut the spot welds and used small screws and nuts to hold the two halves together with modern wrap underneath.   for it.

Guess its possible that someone replaced the front pipe then from a wrecking yard when my car was a clunker?

Any sign of your badge yet Brad?

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

Found the pictures of my original V-16 exhaust header.  The asbestos material extended beyond metal casing.  As you can see it is not a molded product but a weaved product with a wire wrap.

[joeceretti]

THANKS BRAD! These photos make me feel better about the wrap I am using. It would be a real pain in the tukus to make those metal shrouds.

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

Years ago my Dad managed to make a reasonable copy for my 39 V-16.  He started with a piece of 3" bent exhaust pipe. 

[Steve Passmore]

Years ago my Dad managed to make a reasonable copy for my 39 V-16.  He started with a piece of 3" bent exhaust pipe.

Thats a really good idea!