Header Maintenance ??????

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Dec 11, 2001 | 11:17 PM

vettecor

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 315

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From: Pensacola Florida

Header Maintenance ??????

I should receive my Hooker Competition Headers this week that I ordered from Summitt. I ordered Ceramic Coated. Is there anything I should do to them prior to putting them on the car, to help protect them? What about after there connected?

Also how do I know if the carburetor is too lean? I want these headers to last for quite awhile.

Thanks
Larry (77 RED)

Dec 11, 2001 | 11:21 PM

daily_driver

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 2,280

Likes: 0

From: colorado springs CO

Re: Header Maintenance ?????? (vettecor)

dont do anything to them!!

after you install em, DONT RUB EM!! DONT TRY TO SHINE EM UP!!!

you dont want the coating to come off...

you can set your carb mixture with a vacuum guage for maximum vacuum... that way it wont be too lean....(and high exhuast temps will cuase the coating to flake off!!)

you should tighten up the header bolts every month or soo..

what u really should do is install locking header bolts!!!

that way u wont get any blowouts of the gaskets...

Dec 11, 2001 | 11:31 PM

PatsLs1vette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 9,622

Likes: 16

From: absecon nj

Re: Header Maintenance ?????? (daily_driver)

i havent had a set of header gaskets blow out in years i use the factory steel exuast manifold gaskets instead they work great for headers.plus you can start all the bolts and just slip the gaskets in place.just my 2 cents

Dec 11, 2001 | 11:32 PM

73 LS-4

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 2,340

Likes: 2

From: Moro IL

Re: Header Maintenance ?????? (vettecor)

I was talking to a machinist one day at one of the local performance shops about my having trouble with header leaks. he mentioned it's not a bad idea to take a good straight edge to them to make sure they are flat where they mate up to the head, and if not they can be milled straight to make sure they will seal. Just something you may want to check before installing.

:cheers:
Pat Kunz

Dec 11, 2001 | 11:41 PM

daily_driver

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 2,280

Likes: 0

From: colorado springs CO

Re: Header Maintenance ?????? (73 LS-4)

ive only had 1 blowout...

it was becuase i forgot to tighten the @#$@#@! header bolts that month...

blah

need to get some locking bolts..

Dec 12, 2001 | 03:17 AM

tnt76vette

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 1,428

Likes: 0

Re: Header Maintenance ?????? (daily_driver)

Get yourself some Stage 8 bolts from most any performance catalog or shop...save your knuckles for fixin' your kids bike or somethin' else worthwhile...... :yesnod: :flag

Dec 12, 2001 | 08:20 AM

ED DINAPOLI

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 1,390

Likes: 39

From: North Brunswick NJ

Re: Header Maintenance ?????? (tnt76vette)

I have never had a header gasket blow. I dont use gaskets and dont have any leaks either. Save your money and time. Just use high temp silicone.

Dec 12, 2001 | 08:58 AM

norvalwilhelm

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 11,872

Likes: 12

From: Waterloo ontario Canada

Re: Header Maintenance ?????? (vettecor)

For those that do have leaking problems that can't seem to cure them. Cut most of the way through the header flange between each pipe, try fileing flat the high spots on the flange around the tube, use a gasket and high temp silicon. I use to have problems with leaks but since I did this they don't leak.