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Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ?

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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 07:44 PM
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Default Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ?

I am posting this for someone I know. Here is the problem he has a set of Dynomax Ceramacoat headers on his 350ci Vette and says that they glow in the dark. At idle it's just the downturn angle but when he revves it up all the pipes start to glow. He has played with the jets and changed carbs and distributor, intake gasket and even gone as far as taken the heads off and had them checked by a machine shop.

He has been scared to drive the car for two months so if anyone can help I would appreciate it.

He says he can see it a dusk and not just in complete darkness. I told him I think this could be normal but I'm not sure.

Anyone had any experience with this ?

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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 07:54 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (MotorHead)

Timing to advanced or fuel mixture to lean. What is he running for a cam, carb etc ?

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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 07:57 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (MotorHead)

It could be the timing or carb leaned out. A friend added a MSD and it caused his car to run lean (glowing headers) richened it up and no more problem. :yesnod:
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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 08:16 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (SharkGills)

He says he has changed jets etc. for lean condition. He has an original short block with a Comp Cams 270H Magnum cam. Corvette ( don't ask me which ones ) aluminum heads, RPM intake and 750 Hiolley.

Didn't ask him waht the water temp was, going to email him now about that.
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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 08:58 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (MotorHead)

Too lean there. :yesnod:
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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 09:53 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (MotorHead)

See if he can take it to a dyno with a wideband O2 sensor and find out exact A/F numbers. That would be the best way to find out if it's too lean and exactly how much.
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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 10:20 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (sharklover)

See if he can take it to a dyno with a wideband O2 sensor and find out exact A/F numbers. That would be the best way to find out if it's too lean and exactly how much.
I agree!
Paul
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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 10:27 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (MotorHead)

Correct me if I'm wrong here but can't this "glowing header" problem be also be caused due to excessive timing RETARD? If not enough advance, too much unburned fuel exits the chamber and burns in the header.
What is his timing currently set at?
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Old Apr 30, 2002 | 10:27 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (inferno-vette)

I just noticed this tonight on my car. I could see the chrome tubes glowing about 4-6" from the head. I don't think I'm lean because the fumes kill my eyes in the garage and I can see a puff of black smoke from the sidepipes when I crack the throttle :confused: . I will be pulling a couple of sparkplugs tomorrow.
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Old May 1, 2002 | 12:02 AM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (SmokedTires)

I'm gonna have to shut the lights out in my garage and have a look at mine :D
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Old May 1, 2002 | 12:25 AM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (MotorHead)

Miker's correct in that timing is retarded, (not advanced) too far. The theory of unburned gases in the header is correct, I have seen it before, and corrected the problem with proper advance setting.
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Old May 1, 2002 | 12:42 AM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (MotorHead)

I vote "lean". Did this with a '78 MGB, most impressive as the catalytic converter resembles a 3lb Folgers can mounted directly to the exhaust manifold.
Now the pop quiz: Who knows where the carb is mounted relative to the glowing red can on a '78 MGB that is running too lean? Extra points for whoever can tell us who designs a carb with a drain plug in the bottom of the float bowl that is held in by the pressure of an "O" ring!!!!
WHOOOSH
:bb
Todd
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Old May 1, 2002 | 11:49 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (MotorHead)

Motorhead was posting for me until I could get my password.
The heads are Corvette L98 aluminum heads that have been pocket ported, intake and exhaust runners ported, and 2.02 & 1.60 swirl polished back cut valves installed.
I have the Comp Cam magnum 270 cam and have 9.8-1 compression.
I have tried 2 different carbs, 2 different distributors, 2 different cams, 2 different sets of 1 5/8 coated headers, had the heads off and took them to a local engine shop and had them pressure checked as well as all springs checked. (All parts above were put on brand new)
I have played with timing from 4* to 28* initial and have jetted it up richer and down leaner. I have played with the air/fuel screws reading the plugs at idle from lean to rich and all in between.
So far my car has been setting for about 2 months because of this and no one local seems to be able to help.
I talked to a guy from trick flow last night and he said the D port exhaust ports run hotter at the top of the ports and he thought the 1 5/8 headers were to small but I hate to keep throwing money at it and buy another set of headers.
Any suggestions?
:cry
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Old May 2, 2002 | 07:19 AM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (candyapplevette)

just aquick question, what rings are you using and whats the clearance on the pistons and what pistons are you using?
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Old May 2, 2002 | 07:41 AM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (candyapplevette)

I had the same problem with dynomax, the coating turned dull while running the engine for the first time. (Don´t know if they glew because sun was shining on them, but they began to smoke :eek: ....)
I havn´t played with timing and carb jets yet, but what I ´d like you to tell is following:
A new assembled engine especially with new parts will always run hotter, even if you had broken in the engine correctly. All the parts are very tight, thus maximizing friction. Give the engine a little more time and hopefully your heatproblem will go away.
The only problem is where can you run an engine this hot safely?
Talking about burnt headers.....
Perhaps you should swap to the original exhaust manifold just for breaking it in? Dunno, but I´d check the A/F ratio with a O2 - sensor first.
Good luck, Markus


[Modified by MARKUS_P, 5:42 AM 5/2/2002]
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Old May 2, 2002 | 01:48 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (candyapplevette)

What kind of mufflers are you running? And what about the cat?

Stephan
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Old May 2, 2002 | 04:36 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (MotorHead)

Hey one more thing to check might be the egr provision. I think they were different on the IROC alum head. Maybe there off a IROC. :confused:
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Old May 2, 2002 | 05:44 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (candyapplevette)

Well candyapple.. let me be the first to welcome you to the forum, a great bunck of guys and gals here with fantastic info. that they are willing to share, other than Wayne of course but as we all know his problems run deeper than his exhaust note. :lol: Wayne when are you installing your headers, and just had to tell you all how MotorHead totally blew away a Nissan 300 ZX twin turbo last Saturday. :smash:
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Old May 2, 2002 | 06:59 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (gdh)

Glowing pipes is from rich condition or retarded timing. Lean causes cylinder high temp. Rich is burning gas in the pipes. I melted a set of Hedmans. If you ever get to see a long dyno run the pipes are orange all the way to the collectors
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Old May 2, 2002 | 07:17 PM
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Default Re: Dynomax headers glowing in the dark ? (gkull)

Hey where did candyapplevette go ?, anyway welcome to the forum.
As you can see it's a very helpful place full of knowlegeable people, as a matter of fact I just learned something from gkull as I would have never thought that a rich condition would cause the headers to heat up, but it makes sense.

Greg, not sure whwn I'm going to put the new headers on, gonna talk the guy that does my exhaust work next week, and will arrange somethiing with you too if you are still interested in the headers on there now.

That was a Twin Turbo 300 ZX ?, I couldn't tell he never got close enough :D
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