Is this worth the effort or a bad idea?

Long term, thermal coating is better.

Exhaust Header Heat Wraps - Do Not Use

I had my exhaust manifold on my 78' W116 300SD ceramic coated.
My new 1978 300SD

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78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

Neither wraps nor ceramic will do anything useful.

I looked into it for Mutt but decided against either. The biggest advantage for me would have been lower underhood temps but so far that doesn't seem to be an issue in a 1 mile run. Besides, I suck combustion air from outside the body so it's pretty much at ambient temp before it hits the compressor.

Dan

If for no other reason, these cars already have issues with rust on the exhaust and wrap really holds in moisture and promotes it even more.

-Rog

It does too, it makes it all pretty.
I love bling.

First time I have read wraps are not good and can cause damage.
Iam not a Hot Rod kind of guy, so it never really interested me, and besides.
The extra weight might slow down my 240D.

Never thought about the rust issue it could cause.

How about a set of Zoomies, that would reduce all that unnecessary back pressure.
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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Mutt has as close to zoomies as you can get and retain the turbo. Not much BP I'm guessing but disappointingly quiet.

Dan

I put exhaust wrap on my exhaust pipe after the turbo, as it travels through the engine compartment, to lower under hood temps. Seems to be working, although I've never run it without the wrap.

I left the turbo and the exhaust manifold alone.

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617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

Don't all of these stock diesels suck air from outside the engine bay?

I do understand the benefits of cooler induction and I suppose that's what I'm getting at. By wrapping or insulating the exhaust manifold, it would serve in maintaining that cool air temperature as near possible.

In my humble understanding, I should think one would have much larger issues to focus on if fiberglass wrap around the exhaust manifold was trapping water ;-)

Manifolds are subject mostly to stress and inter granular corrosion.

' Inter Granular Corrosion ' YIKES....

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Sounds like you want to wrap it, so what are you asking for? Just do it and report the results.

-Rog

Because I was hoping to gain some insight from others and don't want to waste my time if it's not of any benefit...?

Seems like you have enough info to decide to do it or not (don't forget Google too). Part of the problem is I'm not even sure how you could wrap the manifold in any meaningful way. The downpipe for sure, but you'd also need a turbo blanket or it would be pointless.

Exhaust wrap trapping moisture and promoting rust is well-documented. Guess that one depends on where you live. I've also seen them either melted through or cracked because of trapped heat. So take your pick.

You'll definitely get lower temps under the hood, but these engines like being hot, and they're not race cars so I would eat an old straw hat if it actually did anything positive.

-Rog

What about turbo blankets- do they do anything?

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Marshall Welch
Seattle, WA
1982 300D-T