Headers Getting red Hot
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Headers Getting red Hot
Hi all I have a 84 Vette that I have had a lot of work done on it over the last 3 weeks.
My issue is as soon as you start the car with in 5 minutes the header pipe next to the heads start to get glowing red. I don't think this is normal. What could be the issue causing this.
Cat was replaced about 35000k ago. New tune up just done car runs and drives great no check engine light.
Items just done. Trans service, water pump, new air pump, new idler pulley, all new vacuum lines and new map senor.
I really like driving it but scared to due so due to the heads getting red hot! Hense the 234k on the car.
Please any help would be great!
My issue is as soon as you start the car with in 5 minutes the header pipe next to the heads start to get glowing red. I don't think this is normal. What could be the issue causing this.
Cat was replaced about 35000k ago. New tune up just done car runs and drives great no check engine light.
Items just done. Trans service, water pump, new air pump, new idler pulley, all new vacuum lines and new map senor.
I really like driving it but scared to due so due to the heads getting red hot! Hense the 234k on the car.
Please any help would be great!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,119
Likes: 1,725
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Usually it'll mean she's way too lean (rich can do it too), timing is way off, or plugged up cat.
No codes? I'd look at fuel pressure first because its easy, base timing with EST disconnected should be at 6 BTDC, check that too. Vac leak is possible culprit as well, as it will add too much fuel and that can burn in the primary, do your headers have AIR connectors?
No codes? I'd look at fuel pressure first because its easy, base timing with EST disconnected should be at 6 BTDC, check that too. Vac leak is possible culprit as well, as it will add too much fuel and that can burn in the primary, do your headers have AIR connectors?
Last edited by vader86; Dec 11, 2013 at 05:23 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
I would really looking into the timing of the motor runs the motor really hot. As was said earlier vacuum leaks could be a problem, I've used a lit cigarette around the intake manifold and gaskets to tell me if there is a leak. Some people idle the car and spray carb cleaner around these areas and listen for the engine to speed up.
I've found problems with damage/incorrect intake gaskets before with these methods.
I've found problems with damage/incorrect intake gaskets before with these methods.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
No, not usually. Ether is actually not a good to use as a starter fluid even though that is what people used it for.
I would rather used WD-40 on a diesel engine and carb cleaner on a gasoline/methanol/race gas motor.
I guess it doesn't like my embedded Youtube link.
I would rather used WD-40 on a diesel engine and carb cleaner on a gasoline/methanol/race gas motor.
Last edited by noice; Dec 11, 2013 at 10:41 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
If it is just on some of the runners and not all of them take a IR heat gun and shoot the pipes one at a time. If one or two are a lot hotter then the others check your valve lash. Is this is too far out you will get red hot pipes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,032
Likes: 204
From: Greenwood Indiana
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Same thing happened to me, the 1st time I started my Nova with new engine.
Set the timing higher. Rotate distributor counter-clockwise. (arrow in pic shows rotor direction)
Set the timing higher. Rotate distributor counter-clockwise. (arrow in pic shows rotor direction)
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Fixed Headed red glow issue
The issue was the cat was completely stopped up. I can not believe the difference in performance now! Bought poped on myself when I went to take off. Car got side ways! Yippy!!!!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
