Header question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 2
From: Ft.Worth Texas
Header question
Investigating the purchace of headers I find you must not install the ceremic coated ones on a NEW engine until you have broken in the cam and lifters. It seems they need a run in too to keep the warranty....15 minutes at idle then a cooling cycle....three times.
BUMMER
My question is, can the headers be easily
installed after the motor is in place or is it better to put them on before putting the motor in. Can you even install the motor with them on. I'm looking at the Hooker 2134-1 1 3/4 into 3 inch full length style.
BUMMER
My question is, can the headers be easily
installed after the motor is in place or is it better to put them on before putting the motor in. Can you even install the motor with them on. I'm looking at the Hooker 2134-1 1 3/4 into 3 inch full length style.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: James Island South Carolina
I put Dynomax headers on my '80 easily enough with the engine in. Many years ago I put a set of Doug Thorleys on a '73 and lost half a fingernail on the steering coupler which was in the way. It probably depends on the header brand also, but I haven't heard any real fitment complaints.
For the break in of my new ceramic coat headers and new engine, I saved my stock manifolds to use if I have to for that purpose. I'd be interested to hear input from other ceramic header owners about their header/engine break-in as well.
For the break in of my new ceramic coat headers and new engine, I saved my stock manifolds to use if I have to for that purpose. I'd be interested to hear input from other ceramic header owners about their header/engine break-in as well.
Last edited by surfshark; Sep 10, 2005 at 12:26 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
I have 600 miles on my new engine and will be installaing the headers soon.
Installation Notes
Breaking in an engine with ceramic coated headers WILL result in damage to the coating and will VOID all warranties. Ceramic coated headers require several heat cycles to fully cure before they will withstand extreme heat. Flowtech recommends using cast iron exhaust manifolds or old headers to break in new engines to avoid coating damage.
Installation Notes
Breaking in an engine with ceramic coated headers WILL result in damage to the coating and will VOID all warranties. Ceramic coated headers require several heat cycles to fully cure before they will withstand extreme heat. Flowtech recommends using cast iron exhaust manifolds or old headers to break in new engines to avoid coating damage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
ok dude ive got you covered. you cant put ceramic coated headers on a new engine cause you gotta break in the cam at a high rpm. this will overheat you coating and ruin it. simply put, you can avoid this by putting 1 header at a time in the oven for 20 min. at around 450 deg. laugh if you want ( alot of folks in this forum will ) but it works! i did it with the full length headers from mid america. and yes you can install with engine in, no problem. you might consider dimpling aroung the bolt holes AND the idler arm. i only have 1 5/8 primarys and needed to do this. you have 1 3/4. check it out. oh, most importantly, you have to bake the headers when the wife isnt home! 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
I have never heard of such a procedure that has been described with coated headers, nor have I ever ran an engine to break it in... The 68 Camaro below received a new GM crate LS7 454 and the Hooker headers on the same day. The next day after warm up it was running low 11`s at 120+. Never effected the headers in any way as can be seen. I have been occasionally driving it on the street too when I had some av gas. It`s not a very conservative piece at 7-8 MPG and does require 100+ octain. What was suppost to happen?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 5
From: Austin Texas
What happens to alot of new engine installations is during break-in, the engines may run a too lean carb. mixture or retarded ignition timing. The headers may not like the extreme heat this condition causes, ruining the ceramic coating. There is usually a flyer included with the headers letting you know of this problem.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Originally Posted by big_G
What happens to alot of new engine installations is during break-in, the engines may run a too lean carb. mixture or retarded ignition timing. The headers may not like the extreme heat this condition causes, ruining the ceramic coating. There is usually a flyer included with the headers letting you know of this problem.
Which I copied in my post above.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by big_G
What happens to alot of new engine installations is during break-in, the engines may run a too lean carb. mixture or retarded ignition timing. The headers may not like the extreme heat this condition causes, ruining the ceramic coating. There is usually a flyer included with the headers letting you know of this problem.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 6
From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
I don't put engines in with headers or manifolds on, its just easier.
As for baking them that might be fine but metal glows at a much higher temp than 450 so during a break in when the cam is the most important thing in the world glowing headers or manifolds don't matter but that cam does.
Break it in with something else and then install the headers is my opine.
You got the ceramic for long life so why take a chance?
As for baking them that might be fine but metal glows at a much higher temp than 450 so during a break in when the cam is the most important thing in the world glowing headers or manifolds don't matter but that cam does.
Break it in with something else and then install the headers is my opine.
You got the ceramic for long life so why take a chance?