Ceramic coating break in question???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 569
Likes: 2
From: Clio Mi
Ceramic coating break in question???
i sent my hooker super comp headers out to get coated i got them back with a disclamer stating if u use the headers on a new engine it will screww the coating has any one had a problem with this or are they just covering there asses???....... i don't wanna mount a stock exhaust manifold on to break this engine in.....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Just make sure you aren't running lean or timing is too advanced or the motor gets too hot, is it a roller motor or flat tappet ?
These coatings go gray after a year anyway, you just want to avoid it burning off when first installed
These coatings go gray after a year anyway, you just want to avoid it burning off when first installed
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Murphy Texas
I bought a set of coated headers a few years ago and they said the same thing- not to break in a flat tappet camshaft. I did it anyway- they were fine but I don't know about the long term effects, I sold the car a couple of years after that. My headers were a cheap set of Patriots but I don't know if I would risk it on a good set of headers. I made sure the timing and carb was right and kept a fan on the engine to keep the temps down.
Randy
Randy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
New engines have a tendency to be lean and get high exhaust temps. Start it and run for a short time, then shut it down and let it cool. Make sure timing is correct. I did mine in several cycles (hot/cool) and still no problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Camshaft break in requires 20 minutes running at 2K or better... be as certain as you can you are in time, and not lean while you start and run in your new powerplant. If you are not dead sure, remount the stock manifolds or risk discoloring your new coating. the effort to ensure both will be worthwhile!
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Once the new cam was mated to the new lifters and it was stable, I swapped over the coated sidemounts for a couple heat/cold cycles. The headers cured fine and I'm almost ready to reinstall all of it.
If new engine was getting run in, in the car, I'd run old headers or the rams horns until the adjustments were complete before installing the coated units. I know test stands aren't that common.
My .02.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Solid lifters (or hydraulic) DO need that 20 minute break in. Rollers do not. Just make sure the timing is right (or close) and the mixture is plenty fat.
