To all,

Finally got my Clifford Headers, and am now ready for the initial startup of my freshly rebuilt 225.

My question is: I have heard that running a vehicle w/ open headers may be hard on the engine, and could lead to burnt exhaust valves. Is this true? Do I need to get the exhaust installed on my Swinger before I try to start it up? (for reasons other than noise)

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Erik

Never heard anything about open headers, but open heads, that's another story.

Ive heard of the problem, but unless the air temp is really low (below 0 ) it isnt a problem. Its also more of an issue with shorter headers, and slant headers are pretty long I wouldnt worry about it. I drove my truck with open headers to the muffler shop, about 6 miles in approx 0* weather--no problems, except the noise

-Aaron

_________________
The "Silver Bullet"
87 Ram D150

I think the story about warping valves with open headers is a crock of crap started by old people to keep youngsters from running around with headers open.

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

My car ran like crap with just the open shorty clifford headers. Could bearly keep it alive to get it on the trailer that the local muffler shop used to tow my car to his shop. Once the exhaust was on all was well. But boy was I surprised at how mean a /6 could sound with no exhaust

There will be no problems at all.

In about a month or so i'll be driving my truck with open headers about 30miles to my muffler man!

Justin

Thanks all.

I think I'll cart it to the muffler shop prior to firing. I'm sure all of my neighbors would be greatly appreciative.

Thanks again,

Erik

PS - Dennis, I'm sure you are right. I heard this from my dad who was told by some OLD mechanic that driving his car with the pipe broken off at the collector would lead to a burnt valve.

If you look at any of the WWII fighter planes, they only have about 6" of exhaust manifolds on them. They flew in -30* temps at altitude. I don't think your \6 will have a problem.

The problem with warping the valves COULD happen, it is more likely to happen if you "wind out the gears" and allow the ending to wind down from high rpm, such as down shifting like a road racer. The cause is "cold" air being sucked up the header as the engine winds down. If you drive it gently and try to keep the rpm's under about 3000 you shouldn't have a problem. A short trip to the exhaust shop should not be a problem using some common sense.

ps I did drive a 360 dart sport for about 3000 miles with open headers with no problems or ill effects on the engine, though I did have to richen the carb a bit.

just my $0.02 worth

_________________
85 D150 318
85 D350 360
85 Ramcharger was 318
77 Plym Volare 225 904 (derby car)
66 D100 225 3spd
64 D100 225 3spd
81 D100 225 727
90 shadow 2.2 5spd
92 shadow 2.2 5spd
http://www.freewebs.com/ramcharger/

What pumping action of the engine causes air to be sucked up the exhaust?

_________________
It's a Slant thing. Even I don't understand.

1974 Duster, EFI /6 soon to be turbo...

Get that Monkay! Get that nasty thing!!

The overlap period when both the intake and exhaust valves are open and the piston is going down the bore and drawing in the fresh intake mixture.

I ran a '64 Polara with a 318 about 40 miles to install exaust and the only issue I had was flames shooting out and setting the grass on fire. If I remember right, my feet got a little hot.

_________________
Slant Six... out of the ordinary - just like me!