I am getting ready to run some NDRL races and a somewhat local to me track and both of them require all cars to run a lower engine containment device. I bought a Russler II, sportsman diaper. It looks real nice, but my question is, how much heat will it take before it melts? I have an E body, RB w/ TTI step headers, stock K frame and a Milodon Super Stock pan (w/ the steering link thru the sump). The diaper fits good, real snug, but each side has a header tube that has very little if any clearance between the block and header tube.
Is this a valid concern, or will it work? I'm thinking about trying to fabricate a simple heat shield to clamp to the header tube, but not sure it will be worth the hassle. Any suggestions?

Brian

Real concern in my opinion. Mine has special high heat material where it got close to the header and even with that I made tight fitting aluminum shields to press the diaper closer to the block and away from the header.

It needs to be about 1 1/2".
Doug

when I bought my Russler II I test fit and seen where it was close to the header in spots , I called him and he told me to mark the diaper with a marker where it was close and send it back , he then sewed on some reflective material in tho's spots. great guy.

1 1/2" away from the header tube? I have maybe 3/4" in some places. I'm not sure even with a heat shield it won't melt/burn.

Brian

I'm thinking that may be the best solution. I have a few weeks to get it back and forth. And yes, Russ is very easy to work with. We all need more vendors like him.

Brian

Also, anyone know where to purchase the aluminized sheets of heat shield? I have some small tube style heat shield that goes around small hoses or wires, but not sure where to get a small sheet of it.

Thanks, Brian

wrap the header in the close areas. With the wrap on, the material can touch it and be ok. You may have to wrap several tubes to do this, but it works.

As much as I despise header wrap, I agree its the best solution in this case.

The straps on my diaper are pretty close to header tubes, I wrap them with the metallic tape that HVAC contractors use on heating ducts. Maybe available at Home Depot.

^THIS!! personally I’d start here, and follow it up with a section of header wrap. Long term solution might involve massaging the header tube.

Thanks for giving Russ your business! Not too many guys still have that “help your brethren” mentality like him.

Agreed Russ treats people like we all wish all business's would. My diaper from him is on it's 12th year. And yes it's been tested. Even with the drag link hole, not a drop spilled onto the track.
Doug

I have some short sections of wrap in needed areas I keep it secure w/ racing wire

Thanks for the replies. I talked to Russ, said to mark it where it was close and send it back to him. It on its way now. I am also going to use some header wrap in a couple of places and one place will get a heat shield. So a combination of suggestions. Now lets hope that the USPS don't "lose" it. The only thing that I'm NOT happy with Russ about, is he doesn't want any more money. I DO NOT expect him to build it, modify it and ship it twice for what he charged me in the first place. I'll work on that soon.
The diaper that he built me fit the oil pan like a glove (impressive!). It's not his fault that the header mfg's do a sloppy job. I have three sets of headers and each one of them has a tube that is too tight, with the worst one being the brand that everyone raves about and cost a king ransom. Oh well...

Thanks, Brian

I have four oil return lines from my heads to my custom oil pan. Russ put in “shoe lace” eyelets on my diaper build to secure it tightly around that area. Pretty cool when this 80 year old dude in his daily driver 50s Ford long roof stops by to check in on me. Russ is a great individual with a hobby that helps us.