manifold for break in vs headers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
manifold for break in vs headers
I am planning on firing the 406 very soon. I had intended to use the stock cast iron manifolds due to header companies advice about possible ceramic coating damage. I was holding the stock manifolds in place today and I noticed they hit on my valve covers at the top. If the valve covers weren't the problem I think they'd still in the heads.
So what should I do? Grind the stock manifolds down and risk ruining them or run the expensive set of Stan's headers and risk ruining the ceramic coating?
So what should I do? Grind the stock manifolds down and risk ruining them or run the expensive set of Stan's headers and risk ruining the ceramic coating?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Tough call. I damaged the coating on my Camaro headers during a cam break-in before we could get the timing right. The coating survived but is dull now instead of shiny.
I don't understand the last sentence in your first paragraph but I'll take a shot here. If I have it right, the top of the manifolds are hitting the valve cover. If you used 1 or 2 extra valve cover gaskets would it raise them enough to give you the clearance you need?
I don't understand the last sentence in your first paragraph but I'll take a shot here. If I have it right, the top of the manifolds are hitting the valve cover. If you used 1 or 2 extra valve cover gaskets would it raise them enough to give you the clearance you need?
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
That or an extra couple of exhaust gaskets. I bought a cheap set of Hookers ($20) for stand break-in. After the engine is broke in headers go in the trash & the Hooker Super Comp coateds go on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by ratflinger
That or an extra couple of exhaust gaskets.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
Ok, thanks for the info. I'll hold them up again and see how much room I have, but I want to say it needed about 1/4" to bolt up.. could get costly with gaskets. Not sure what I'll do yet.
