Headers and Under Hood Temps.

[nick9004]

Hey Guys,

Putting a set of used hooker headers on tomorrow. I'm going to sandblast the rust off. I've done reading comparing just paint to header wrap to ceramic. Ceramic is really expensive, wrap is pretty steep as well. Paint is cheap but will raise under hood temps drastically. I already have a mini starter with a heat shield. Question is, as long as my spark plug wires are well clear of the headers, can high under hood temps cause other issues? Its an 81 Jimmy with an 87 TBI setup in it.

Any input?

Thanks!

 

[73CamperSpecial]

I recently put a set of painted hooked headers on my truck and yeah they get hot buy don't cause too many problems. The only thing I have heard is it shortens the life of your starter which can be remedied with header wrap. My brother in law has had the same set on his 77 for about 6 years now and they are fine besides a little rust, so that's why I got them for my truck! Go for it they are cheap and work well.

 

[Big Ray]

I'm thinking about putting a set of vents in my fenders. From a 79ish Z-28

maybe a couple in the hood too....

 

[79rustyk10]

just do the old drag racer trick and adjust the rear of the hood up about an inch, if the gaps wouldnt bother you.

 

[nick9004]

Thanks guys, Yeah thats kind of what I figured. I know fuel economy and performance like cold air so I was thinking about some inconspicuous hood scoops. Possibly when I do my electric fan conversion put in an ambient air temp sensor under the hood which could also turn the fan on to suck some cool air into the engine compartment. Any one else have any input?

 

[nick9004]

As for adjusting the hood up. Good idea for a mud truck or strict 4x4, but this things my daily driver so unfortunately I try to keep rust and dents... along with gaps to a minimum.
Maybe even just some wire mesh vents in the hood would help to...

 

[bronc3buster842001]

Just take the hood off. Problem solved. Lots of cold air then.

 

[arthurbrownleeiv]

You'll totally thank yourself later if you go ahead and wrap them all the way down. Everything from starters, to plug wires, to general engine temps will be better

 

[4xcrazy]

I'm running full length headers in my Burb, i honestly don't notice any problems with mine as far as heat or wiring issues or anything for that matter. I did however put those kevlar socks on my plug wires/boots to help with the heat from them being so close, but other than that, nothing has happened yet.

 

[arthurbrownleeiv]

I'm running full length headers in my Burb, i honestly don't notice any problems with mine as far as heat or wiring issues or anything for that matter. I did however put those kevlar socks on my plug wires/boots to help with the heat from them being so close, but other than that, nothing has happened yet.

If you came from the cast iron boat anchors, you'll have lower temps period. I just like wrapping it to make sure the heat escapes out of the system under the truck and out the back. The less heat you have in the engine compartment, the better.

Unless of course you are way up on the tundra or something where your engine needs all the heat it can get lol

 

[tRustyK5]

Header wrap= header rot. Get em ceramic coated instead.

Rene

 

[arthurbrownleeiv]

Huh, not saying your wrong, but I've never had that issue with my taped ones.

I did have a set of dynomax rot within the first year though

 

[ryoken]

headerwrap VOIDS all header manufacturer's warranties....

 

[nick9004]

Thanks for all of the input guys! Seeing as they are old headers anyway, I think I'll blast them and throw on some hi temp paint. Might do the spark plug boots tho. When I replace them down the road I'll go for some ceramic coated...

 

[79rustyk10]

header wrap might have been the cool thing in the 80's but these things rot out fast enough, they dont need help.

ceramic coating is the way to go.

Also, I would never buy the cheaper brands of headers, Ive used hookers and liked them, and alot of guys here like the hedmans.