WTF!!!!! glowing headers ....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
WTF!!!!! glowing headers ....
hey guys ..
ok we got my brothers motor started today . the car was running for 10 min i set the timing at 8deg base . fuel press at 42 with vac off . everything was working fine . after 10min of the car running the headers were glowing red. the coolent temp was 170F* .
from what i know when the headers glow that means the car is lean ???
the car is 11.5 comp and the car only had 94 gas in it . the car is tuned so i know shes getting the right amount of fuel . or could be because the car was running for a while with out driving it around. please help..
ok we got my brothers motor started today . the car was running for 10 min i set the timing at 8deg base . fuel press at 42 with vac off . everything was working fine . after 10min of the car running the headers were glowing red. the coolent temp was 170F* .
from what i know when the headers glow that means the car is lean ???
the car is 11.5 comp and the car only had 94 gas in it . the car is tuned so i know shes getting the right amount of fuel . or could be because the car was running for a while with out driving it around. please help..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Glowing Headers could be lean and rich I've heard.
First, I'd raise the fuel pressure, as 40lbs@WOT (same as w/o vacuum hose to AFPR) is like below stock.
Don't know your mods, but I'd start there.
If his Distributor would be off by a tooth, he'd be having a lot more than just glowing headers. (Car would either stall, or run like total CRAP and backfire).
First, I'd raise the fuel pressure, as 40lbs@WOT (same as w/o vacuum hose to AFPR) is like below stock.
Don't know your mods, but I'd start there.
If his Distributor would be off by a tooth, he'd be having a lot more than just glowing headers. (Car would either stall, or run like total CRAP and backfire).
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
You should do a search on this. There have been several threads on this, lately. Generally it is an incorrest mixture, usually rich, but lean can do it. And/or retarded timing.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Originally Posted by red L98
mods are ...
434 stroker
220cc afr heads
11.5 comp
36lbs intake
super vic efi intake
58mm t-body
252-252 630 lift cam
1.5 rockers
its a mass air car
msd 6AL
434 stroker
220cc afr heads
11.5 comp
36lbs intake
super vic efi intake
58mm t-body
252-252 630 lift cam
1.5 rockers
its a mass air car
msd 6AL
Wow that is a pretty radical engine. Did you mean to say you were running 36lb injectors?
How is the tune of the car? I mean the chip. Has it been programmed for all the mods and larger injectors?
Also check to make sure there are no restrictions in the exhaust (clogged catalytic converter, etc..).
Good luck..
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
Originally Posted by MrNuke
Wow that is a pretty radical engine. Did you mean to say you were running 36lb injectors?
How is the tune of the car? I mean the chip. Has it been programmed for all the mods and larger injectors?
Also check to make sure there are no restrictions in the exhaust (clogged catalytic converter, etc..).
Good luck..
Ski_dwn_it so im 100 % its right on. no thers is no restriction the car has 1 3/4 headers and 3inch duals with cut outs ..
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
Originally Posted by gt306
Check the timing... 
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Nick.
Chances are you have the timing too far retarded and some of the fuel is burning in the pipes.
Take the distributer up out and put it back in.
Second is it could be your 02 not reading properly.
You NEED to hook up a voltmeter to your 02, preferably right next to your ECM, and monitor what is happening. With a motor like that you can learn alot from the knowing what the stock 02 is doing. At idle it should be bouncing from about .200 Volts to .900 volts. Even in Dads 555 chevelle we have one to see what the A/F is up to.
If you see that its steady at say .300 volts, then you have a dead sensor and its keeps telling the ECM to add fuel, which could be resulting in a very rich A/F.
If all that checks out, then shoot me an email or get ahold of me and I have a few other things you can check/do.
Aren't these cars fun 
Chances are you have the timing too far retarded and some of the fuel is burning in the pipes.
Take the distributer up out and put it back in.
Second is it could be your 02 not reading properly.
You NEED to hook up a voltmeter to your 02, preferably right next to your ECM, and monitor what is happening. With a motor like that you can learn alot from the knowing what the stock 02 is doing. At idle it should be bouncing from about .200 Volts to .900 volts. Even in Dads 555 chevelle we have one to see what the A/F is up to.
If you see that its steady at say .300 volts, then you have a dead sensor and its keeps telling the ECM to add fuel, which could be resulting in a very rich A/F.
If all that checks out, then shoot me an email or get ahold of me and I have a few other things you can check/do.
Aren't these cars fun
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
lol yeah there fun .. my car i droped it off at the performance shop and picked it back up i didnt have to deal with all that.
i built this motor for my brother and im learning more every day . i'll let you know thanks jesse
i built this motor for my brother and im learning more every day . i'll let you know thanks jesse
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by red L98
should i take the timing up to 14 deg ???
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
First, you should verify that the mark on the damper, lines up with the TDC marking on the timing tab when the engine is truly at TDC. The ring on the damper may have moved, or if this is a new set up, the parts may not be compatible. You can try 14*. It may work, but until you verify the timing marks, you'll be shooting in the dark, trying to get it tuned.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
From: Strongsville Ohio
Yes you are running lean....No your distributor tooth is not off. If you need to back off your timming and the distributor will not move anymore...just move your spark plug wires one step back or forward. 
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 2
From: 1990 383 Stroker Baltimore Maryland
When they first stated my new 383 Stroker the headers glowed orange after running a couple minutes. I checked with the forum and was told to change the timing and it ran great after that.