header questions
header questions
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
So what is he getting at, cracks in the heads or exhaust runner? I guess a restrictive exhaust could hold heat in the motor, never really looked at it that way. A few decades back I read some FE write up in a Hot Rod mag. That author seemed to think that the exposed exhaust runner helped evacuate heat from the head and prolong valve life; sounded good to me.
Try a search, the problems I recall are:
1) How do I make them fit?
2) How do I make them seal?
Heat soak is another related problem. With more exhaust surface under the hood, you will also have more BTUs trapped under the hood. You will have to think about things like a heat shield for the starter, a fatter air/fuel mixture and optimizing spark timing to keep the burn in the cylinder. It's starting to sound like a freakin chebby, but a lot of people are happy with the switch.
Try a search, the problems I recall are:
1) How do I make them fit?
2) How do I make them seal?
Heat soak is another related problem. With more exhaust surface under the hood, you will also have more BTUs trapped under the hood. You will have to think about things like a heat shield for the starter, a fatter air/fuel mixture and optimizing spark timing to keep the burn in the cylinder. It's starting to sound like a freakin chebby, but a lot of people are happy with the switch.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 1
From: Colville, Washington
Originally Posted by 352 blue
My machinist seems to think that headers on FE's are a bad idea that since the water jacket doesnt extend all the way to the exhaust ports and that they will overheat
Absolutely ridiculous!!!! Find another machinist. 
