Ceramic coated headers curing
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: CT
Ceramic coated headers curing
Just finishing up a complete frame resto on my '62. I'm installing a set of Hedman cermaic coated headers. Instructions say not to break in a new engine with them. I'm not, but does this mean I should cure the coating by bringing it up to temp, then letting it cool all the way down, and then repeating that a few times?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Never heard of curing ceramic coating on headers.
Can't tell what they want u to do for curing the coating. But i can share with u what happened when i started my engine up 'bout 10 degrees retarded instead of 10* advanced - hey sometimes the best intentions get mistaken. After running like this for 20min at 2,000rpm to break in the new cam my brand new chromed Thorley hdrs are now blue to the collector. 
And man i could feel the heat through the floor pan even after having installed heat shield material down there.
Well i've read plenty of other forum posts of owners turning thier brand-new ceramic coat hdrs red-hot. Lean mixture can do this too.
My advice would be to get ur engine broke in and timing set first. At minimum double check ur intial timing. Cam break-in is gonn'a test all ur systems.
Maybe even tune the carb/mixture if possible - well at least not lean. Then install the new hdrs.
As far as temp cycling goes thats a natural with normal use. Unless u expect to start it up and drive out on a long road trip?
Hope this helps.
cardo0
And man i could feel the heat through the floor pan even after having installed heat shield material down there.Well i've read plenty of other forum posts of owners turning thier brand-new ceramic coat hdrs red-hot. Lean mixture can do this too.
My advice would be to get ur engine broke in and timing set first. At minimum double check ur intial timing. Cam break-in is gonn'a test all ur systems.
Maybe even tune the carb/mixture if possible - well at least not lean. Then install the new hdrs.As far as temp cycling goes thats a natural with normal use. Unless u expect to start it up and drive out on a long road trip?
Hope this helps.
cardo0
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Originally Posted by GCD1962
I don't have to break in the engine, but will check timing. The instructions say not to run it for 20 minutes at 2,000+ rpm, but nothing else.
All i can say is good luck at avoiding 2,000rpm as instructed.
Maybe a call to Hedman's tech line would help u.cardo0
