Headers in cold climate
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: North Pole, AK
Headers in cold climate
Has anyone had any negative results with the performance of their truck using headers in a cold climate. I live close to Anchorage, Alaska and we have large extremes in temperatures over the course of a year. I was told that my truck might not run well on cold days with headers.
I have a '96 Bronco 302 manual, k&n fipk, dual catbacks, high capacity radiator, high performance water pump, 160 degree thermostat.
Thanks!
Kim
I have a '96 Bronco 302 manual, k&n fipk, dual catbacks, high capacity radiator, high performance water pump, 160 degree thermostat.
Thanks!
Kim
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 209
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From: New York
I have BBK shorty headers on and had ran the truck with it thru one winter and have no ill effects. We get cold freezing weather down here during winter but probably not temperatures like you have. The stock exhaust manifold has o2 sensors threaded before the flange so make sure there's o2 sensor bungs on the headers. Other than that I don't see it as a problem if you run headers.
Warr
Warr
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: North Pole, AK
Thank you for your response. The more help the better! Headers will be the next upgrade for my truck. We don't get lower that -10 very often during the winter, but it does happen. most of the time it stays around +10 degrees, it is just a long winter here.
Thanks,
Kim
Thanks,
Kim
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Prince George, B.C.
Be carful with them, we had a van with headers that refused to warm up if it dropped below -20 degrees C. Keep it plugged in when not in use and get a winter front for it if you don't already have one.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
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From: North Pole, AK
I have been thinking about what to put inside the grille to restrict air flow. I have a low temp thermostat too. I will definitely need to make sure that it gets warm before going anywhere on the very cold days. Luckily there are only a few very cold days each winter. Most of the time it isn't too bad.
Thanks for the help!
Kim
Thanks for the help!
Kim
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: North Pole, AK
Thanks!
I was told by someone here that it could be a problem. I don't think it will. There are plenty of people with headers on their trucks with no complaints that I know of.
Thanks again,
Kim
I was told by someone here that it could be a problem. I don't think it will. There are plenty of people with headers on their trucks with no complaints that I know of.
Thanks again,
Kim
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Alberta
I find that headers are more prone to leaking in cold weather. But when I say cold I mean really cold, well below 0 F.
Clayton
Clayton
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: North Pole, AK
Thanks! I will keep that in mind. When it gets super cold I can't take my kids out anyway. They have pretty major health problems. The temp doesn't get below zero very often or for very long here. I have seen it as low as -20. It doesn't stay that way for long tho.
Kim
Kim
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: North Pole, AK
Most of the winter is cold and dry. Even our snow is dry and powdery. Our winters are long tho. It is beautiful here! It is a giant playground for people with off road toys.
Kim
Kim
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Centerville, Iowa
The only difficulties with headers in the cold is when people run around with JUST headers while they're waiting to get it back in for the rest of the exhaust. It's quite possible to have cold air back up into the header and hit that white-hot valve. When that happens, the valve can bend, warp, crack, etc. This is a possible complications...but with a proper exhaust it won't ever happen. Even with open headers...it'd take something to get the headers cool enough to NOT warm the air before it hit that valve.
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Junior User
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From: North Pole, AK
I would never drive my truck around like that. I will have the same shop that put in the current exhaust system in do it. They did a beautiful job. I want to add headers tho. It's all tucked up so I don't catch on anything when I go off road. The only thing you can see are the stainless tips sticking out the back. Thanks for the help!
Kim
Kim
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 893
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From: Lincoln, Nebraska
with your extreme cold conditions make sure when you put on the headers that you torque the nuts to specs. then when you warm the vehicle to normal operating temps re-torque the bolts I would do this at least 4 times in your area. it will help the gasket get a good seat and not make the headers leak. that is a major problem for a lot of people and why some dont like headers if you do that and have a good quality gasket they wont leak. for running in the cold i wouldn't have a 160 degree stat. seems alittle to cold for me go back to a 180 degree your engine will like it too.
you might want to also get some header wrap and wrap your headers. so they dont stay cold and happen to warp a valve. not very likely but for $15 or so it might be a good insurance policy. better then $1500 for a new engine
you might want to also get some header wrap and wrap your headers. so they dont stay cold and happen to warp a valve. not very likely but for $15 or so it might be a good insurance policy. better then $1500 for a new engine
Last edited by dhag911; Sep 18, 2004 at 02:26 AM.
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From: central TX
Getting them Jet Hot Coated (inside and out) will keep the heat inside the headers. This is a good thing whether hot or cold out. Wraping them can do damage to the headers. I agree on the T-stat, get at least a 180 in there.