open headers
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
open headers
What do you guys think about running just headers and no exhaust on a truck. I know they're loud, but that doesn't concern me. I'm just wondering if it negatively affects power since there is not much backpressure like with a full exhaust.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
open headers
Too little back-pressure can result in a burnt exhaust valve.
Ken Payne
[img src="/dcforum/User_files/webmaster/usaflag.gif" valign=top align=left] Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin
Ken Payne
[img src="/dcforum/User_files/webmaster/usaflag.gif" valign=top align=left] Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 2
From: Auburn,Al
open headers
backpressure is something that you dont want in an exhaust system, the key is pipe size, the reason exhaust valves get burnt is from cold air making its way up to the hot valves after the motor is shut off, with full length headers its hard for this to occur because cold air does not rise, and it has a long way to travel upo through some hot tubes before it reaches the valve, its still risky in very cold weather though....by the way, have you ever ran around with open headers? forget about the radio, or hearing anything but the motor talkin for that matter, sounds good, but starts to get to your head after a few miles, hehe
1985 F-150/351Ho/c6/4wd~96,000 miles
1979 F-150extcab4x4/460/c6/6inchlift w/60rear44frnt 4.10 gears, 250 springs
37 boggers
1985 F-150/351Ho/c6/4wd~96,000 miles
1979 F-150extcab4x4/460/c6/6inchlift w/60rear44frnt 4.10 gears, 250 springs
37 boggers
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
open headers
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree on this one. A certain amount of back-pressure is desired unless you're building for ultimate power and don't have engine longevity as a priority. I don't believe cold air burns valves.... exhaust gas rushing past valves quicker than the oiling system's ability to cool the valves and seat does.... That's why too lean of a mixture can cause the same problem because an overly lean mixture burns hotter.
Ken Payne
[img src="/dcforum/User_files/webmaster/usaflag.gif" valign=top align=left] Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin
Ken Payne
[img src="/dcforum/User_files/webmaster/usaflag.gif" valign=top align=left] Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
open headers
thanks guys, so would I probably be okay running full length headers? This would be on a stock 400M. The reason I dont want an exhaust is because this truck is mostly for trails and mud bogs. Last year I sucked up water into my engine twice (drained 17 qts of water/oil out of the engine) and dont want that to happen again. I guess my only other option would be stacks but it would be cheaper to have just headers so I dont have to have a custom exhaust made. My best friends daily driver has a built 350 with open headers and 38 inch tires. Gets a lot of looks, but cops dont care in the country. So if open headers are really bad for an engine whats the best way to run stacks?
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 2
From: Auburn,Al
open headers
not trying to argue ken, i read an article somewhere, ill have to find it and post a link, i forgot to add that he will probably have to richen his carb to be safe,
nick are you saying that you sucked all that water up through the exhaust?, do u have an intake snorkel? i would look into stacks if you run in deep water/mud often
1985 F-150/351Ho/c6/4wd~96,000 miles
1979 F-150extcab4x4/460/c6/6inchlift w/60rear44frnt 4.10 gears, 250 springs
37 boggers
nick are you saying that you sucked all that water up through the exhaust?, do u have an intake snorkel? i would look into stacks if you run in deep water/mud often
1985 F-150/351Ho/c6/4wd~96,000 miles
1979 F-150extcab4x4/460/c6/6inchlift w/60rear44frnt 4.10 gears, 250 springs
37 boggers
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
open headers
This burnt valve issue has me puzzled so I did a net search. Found an explanation that seems reasonable on a site discussing Harley Davidsons. Since they also have four-stroke internal combustion engines (albeit air cooled), I think this would be applicable to our trucks. So at the expense of complicating things, here's the quote:
On the question of installing open drag pipes:
"unless you have had some engine modifications to allow for it, you _will_ be down on power (maybe more power than the stock, but less than if you used "tuned" pipes). Engines are built to compensate for a certain amount of back-pressure (i.e. the valves opening a little earlier), and if you remove the backpressure, the valves will be opening too early, letting some still-burning fuel into the headers. ... because of this, you can suffer (in extreme cases) from burnt exhaust valves if you hammer it too hard..." -- Mike Kelly
On the question of installing open drag pipes:
"unless you have had some engine modifications to allow for it, you _will_ be down on power (maybe more power than the stock, but less than if you used "tuned" pipes). Engines are built to compensate for a certain amount of back-pressure (i.e. the valves opening a little earlier), and if you remove the backpressure, the valves will be opening too early, letting some still-burning fuel into the headers. ... because of this, you can suffer (in extreme cases) from burnt exhaust valves if you hammer it too hard..." -- Mike Kelly
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
open headers
Well I really dont want to risk engine damage so I guess I'll forget about the open headers. I'm glad I asked cause I never really thought twice about it until recently. And yes, I did suck that water up my exhaust. My truck was sunk almost up to the headlights with 4" of water on the floorboards. The only reason I got stuck was that one tire came off the rim. My truck has 4"lift and 35's. Well I guess I'll have to save more money for stacks. Thanks guys.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
open headers
To suck water into the engine must mean that you killed the motor while your pipes were under water. This would've happened if it was stock or straight headers. When in deep water NEVER EVER turn the motor off. Let her burble away until you can pull her out. If she flooded out when you went deep and your pipes are under water - use extreme caution - water bends rods.
98 F250LD 4X4
98 F250LD 4X4
New User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
open headers
I'd go with the stacks. I have a 460 with headers, 3" glasspacks going into 4" stacks through the bed and the thing is LOUD!!! Its just a mud bogger, trail truck. The stacks are nice cause you never have to worry about the exhaust being under water, or getting pulled out of a mud hole backwards with a dead motor and mud getting pushed into the open headers.
Brett
[link:www.superford.org/?vID=16|76 F250]
Brett
[link:www.superford.org/?vID=16|76 F250]
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
silar
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Nov 29, 2016 07:28 PM
dbyrd342
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
27
Jul 21, 2016 07:33 PM
YellowSled
Excursion - King of SUVs
21
Mar 25, 2016 01:00 PM
5280
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Apr 19, 2014 01:45 AM
