Timing or running lean will do that. Since Lars tuned the carb it is probably timing
WOW Hooker Headers turn bright red ?!?!?!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown VA
NCM Sinkhole Donor
WOW Hooker Headers turn bright red ?!?!?!
Finally got my son's 75 to the point where we could fire up the engine after sitting for 5 - 6 years. The engine was rebuilt and never run and sat it the garage of the previous owner (whole other story). We purchased it about three years ago right after the Hooker headers and side pipes were installed. Finally got it to the point where we could start it this weekend.
After troubleshooting the HEI distributor, we had to replace the electronic ignition module. 
Turned the key again and it fired right up. 
Lars tuned the carb over a year and a half ago and it still fired up on the first start. 
Ran it for about 15 - 20 minuted to break in the cam and noticed that the header pipes to the number 1, 7, 2 and 8 cylinders (outside tubes) were bright red hot!! 
We decided to shut it off before we burned up something. What could be the problem? Is this normal for the first time using the headers? My son wants to start it up again tomorrow (it's raining today) and I need to know if it will be OK. Thanks.
After troubleshooting the HEI distributor, we had to replace the electronic ignition module. Turned the key again and it fired right up. Lars tuned the carb over a year and a half ago and it still fired up on the first start. Ran it for about 15 - 20 minuted to break in the cam and noticed that the header pipes to the number 1, 7, 2 and 8 cylinders (outside tubes) were bright red hot!! We decided to shut it off before we burned up something. What could be the problem? Is this normal for the first time using the headers? My son wants to start it up again tomorrow (it's raining today) and I need to know if it will be OK. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown VA
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Pistoia PT (ITALY)
Tipically a very retarded engine can make red hot the headers!
Check your timing.... because with no load even a very lean carburation can't do that.
With a very late timing the combustion can be still active when the exhaust valve start to open.... producing too much heat in the headers.
Sorry if I ask...... but the the firing sequence was Ok, right?
Check your timing.... because with no load even a very lean carburation can't do that.
With a very late timing the combustion can be still active when the exhaust valve start to open.... producing too much heat in the headers.
Sorry if I ask...... but the the firing sequence was Ok, right?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown VA
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Tipically a very retarded engine can make red hot the headers!
Check your timing.... because with no load even a very lean carburation can't do that.
With a very late timing the combustion can be still active when the exhaust valve start to open.... producing too much heat in the headers.
Sorry if I ask...... but the the firing sequence was Ok, right?
Check your timing.... because with no load even a very lean carburation can't do that.
With a very late timing the combustion can be still active when the exhaust valve start to open.... producing too much heat in the headers.
Sorry if I ask...... but the the firing sequence was Ok, right?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Set the timing to at least 10* advanced (BTDC) more if the engine likes it-- you'll be able to tell, it will sound nice and free, like it really wants to run. Get the cam break-in done, then go back and set it at 36@3000.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Vacuum leak(s) will cause lean out. Also, 0 degrees timing is too retarded. With a stock-ish cam, set the initial at 8-10 degrees advanced. If you've upgraded the cam you could probably use more timing. My guess is, you're running a dual pattern cam which will heat up the headers.
Lastly, a restricted exhaust can cause this,..might check for obstructions and/or mal-functioning heat-riser valve.
Good luck!
Lastly, a restricted exhaust can cause this,..might check for obstructions and/or mal-functioning heat-riser valve.
Good luck!
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
All the above could cause this, and you might re-adjust the valves. Make sure they are not too tight!
Glowing headers can be restriction in the exhaust, vacuum issue, timing and valves not adjusted properly. (allowing fuel in the exhaust system).
Glowing headers can be restriction in the exhaust, vacuum issue, timing and valves not adjusted properly. (allowing fuel in the exhaust system).
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown VA
NCM Sinkhole Donor
My bad. I meant to say the timing was set at 8 deg BTDC, NOT 0 degrees. I misunderstood the friend that was helping us. I've correct it in my earlier post.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown VA
NCM Sinkhole Donor
We'll, we fired her up again last night and the hooker didn't turn red again, so maybe they just needed to heat up the first time they were run. We programmed the SPAL fans and shut it off to let it cool to test the fans when the rain started and we had to push it back in the garage, so we'll have to finish the cam break in tonight. Thanks for the assistance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 14
From: LaMoille Illinois
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 4
From: Yorktown VA
NCM Sinkhole Donor
These are the ceramic coated headers. Oh well, nothing we can do about it now. Good thing we only paid $600 for the headers and pipes and install.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
We'll, we fired her up again last night and the hooker didn't turn red again, so maybe they just needed to heat up the first time they were run. We programmed the SPAL fans and shut it off to let it cool to test the fans when the rain started and we had to push it back in the garage, so we'll have to finish the cam break in tonight. Thanks for the assistance.
Finish the cam break in???????
If you didn't finish the cam break in...the cam may be finished!!!