engine break in vs. header break in
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: London England
I've tried to research this too.
From what I can work out they're ok if you bolt them on and use the car normally.
I think they need several 'normal running' heat cycles to fully cure. It seems the manufacturers are concerned about prolonged light load running, particularly on a stand, maybe breaking a cam in.
They also seem to be worried about people setting an engine up with new headers and maybe running weak mixtures and retarded ignition timing causing the headers to get excessively hot before they've cured.
The cynical part of me does wonder though if it's vague 'get out clause' for the manufacturer should anything go wrong with the finish
From what I can work out they're ok if you bolt them on and use the car normally.
I think they need several 'normal running' heat cycles to fully cure. It seems the manufacturers are concerned about prolonged light load running, particularly on a stand, maybe breaking a cam in.
They also seem to be worried about people setting an engine up with new headers and maybe running weak mixtures and retarded ignition timing causing the headers to get excessively hot before they've cured.
The cynical part of me does wonder though if it's vague 'get out clause' for the manufacturer should anything go wrong with the finish
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
I've tried to research this too.
From what I can work out they're ok if you bolt them on and use the car normally.
I think they need several 'normal running' heat cycles to fully cure. It seems the manufacturers are concerned about prolonged light load running, particularly on a stand, maybe breaking a cam in.
They also seem to be worried about people setting an engine up with new headers and maybe running weak mixtures and retarded ignition timing causing the headers to get excessively hot before they've cured.
The cynical part of me does wonder though if it's vague 'get out clause' for the manufacturer should anything go wrong with the finish
From what I can work out they're ok if you bolt them on and use the car normally.
I think they need several 'normal running' heat cycles to fully cure. It seems the manufacturers are concerned about prolonged light load running, particularly on a stand, maybe breaking a cam in.
They also seem to be worried about people setting an engine up with new headers and maybe running weak mixtures and retarded ignition timing causing the headers to get excessively hot before they've cured.
The cynical part of me does wonder though if it's vague 'get out clause' for the manufacturer should anything go wrong with the finish
I wonder myself. I am having my L48 rebuilt and stroked. My car is in total rebuild so I deep sixed the exhaust system but for the manifolds. I will put the manifolds back on but I can't figure out why. Anyone else? Thanks Jack
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
If you are breaking in a flat tappet cam, following the recommended procedures, the engine can become warmer than normal. This is especially true if you have a new/modified rebuild on the engine. Timing, carb mixture, etc. will usually have to be reset. This can lead to a warmer engine during break in. Higher than normal exhaust temperatures will discolor the header ceramic coating.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
If you are breaking in a flat tappet cam, following the recommended procedures, the engine can become warmer than normal. This is especially true if you have a new/modified rebuild on the engine. Timing, carb mixture, etc. will usually have to be reset. This can lead to a warmer engine during break in. Higher than normal exhaust temperatures will discolor the header ceramic coating.
Other that discolor any other problems?
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Martin TN
It's just to protect the coating. I recently broke in the cam on a 460 Ford I am building for a 60 F100 I've been working on. I built a test stand to hold the engine/trans/radiator to break in the cam and run the engine before I put it in the truck. The cheap electric fuel pump I used wasn't keeping up with the big block and it ran pretty lean for a while until I figured out why. The stock exhaust manifolds were glowing orange and the mufflers(cheap Turbos) caught fire and came apart. I sure was glad I didn't have my new $500 Sandersons on it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
My chrome headers are now blued.
At first i thought the timing was retarded but now i realize from all the manfr's instructions that u don't want to use a coated headers for breakin (cam or engine) unless u don't care 'bout the discoloring.
How does it damage the color? Greater heat is all i can say - didn't bother to measure headers temps.
Good luck,
cardo0
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 487
From: Salmon Arm, BC
OK guys..I worried about this earlier this summer when I was going to do the inital start on my 406 with hedman elite coated headers. The pain in the *** (to remove the headers and then reinstall) was too much for me....so I was very diligent about setting things just right, having a timing light already hooked up before the start, and ensuring the hood was open. My first start went off without a hitch, and I had no discoloration of my headers,they still look brand new. I think the worst thing to have happen is having the timing retarded, which will ensure hot headers.
Set your timing right away after starting, wipe off any oil drips before starting, and enjoy the sound....
Set your timing right away after starting, wipe off any oil drips before starting, and enjoy the sound....
