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Header wrap or shields??

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by raj4851, Sep 1, 2013.

  1. raj4851
    Joined: Jan 18, 2006
    Posts: 95

    raj4851
    Member
    from Decatur Il

    I started my '39 Ford two door sedan today and noticed during the first few minutes of the cam break-in that the paint was blistering on the right fender and the left fender was really hot. I am running fender well headers that fit a '55 Chevy, I think. Should I wrap them or build shields? From what I've read on here I'm leaning toward shields. I haven't measured the distance from the header to the fender but was surprised to see so much heat transfer.
     
  2. ANDEREGG TRIBUTE
    Joined: Jan 1, 2008
    Posts: 1,385

    ANDEREGG TRIBUTE
    Member
    from Bordertown

    Shields, wrap causes corrosion according to some here, and im not willing to find out if its true.
     
  3. Bonneville Avanti Dan
    Joined: Jan 21, 2011
    Posts: 242

    Bonneville Avanti Dan
    Member
    from California

    Use the wrap and you will greatly shorten the life of your headers. Two person experiences here so "Been there and done that". Build the shields and leave an air gap and if possible build them so air will flow through the gap to keep things cool. I have run headers through fiberglass bodies with shields and they work.
    Dan
     
  4. Bump Stop
    Joined: Aug 25, 2013
    Posts: 51

    Bump Stop
    BANNED
    from USA

    Wrap is very effective at reducing heat transfer. I have used it with great success in insulating my pipes from starters and master cylinders. I have used it mainly on aluminized tubing and never had it reduce the life of my pipes; maybe if you used it on plain steel or got them wet frequently.
     

  5. I have had wrap on my bike for 8 years and still no problems. It is meant to keep the heat in the pipe.
     
  6. dan31
    Joined: Jul 3, 2011
    Posts: 1,097

    dan31
    Member

    When breaking in a new cam its best to use some junky headers if you have them .The break in process creates some crazy heat and will burn off paint and even high temp coatings.After cam is broken in you probably wont see that extreme heat to that degree.
     
  7. dan31
    Joined: Jul 3, 2011
    Posts: 1,097

    dan31
    Member

    Oh yea,if its a flat tappet cam don't forget to add lucas zinc additive.:)
     
  8. Uteslider
    Joined: Aug 18, 2013
    Posts: 17

    Uteslider
    Member

    I've run wrap on a few bikes, never noticed any problems. Some people wet it to keep from getting the itchy stuff on themselves, I could see that process reducing the life of the pipes. I just wear gloves or have a shower after it. I can safely say that the wrap does keep the heat in though, I can sit my bare hand on the header pipes while a bike is running if I want.
     
  9. toucan
    Joined: Feb 15, 2009
    Posts: 1,083

    toucan
    Member
    from sc

    id go with the shields.
     
  10. chubbie
    Joined: Jan 14, 2009
    Posts: 2,336

    chubbie
    Member

    an oil leak on the raps is an instant fire! huge fire!! burn your house down kind of fire!!
     
  11. raj4851
    Joined: Jan 18, 2006
    Posts: 95

    raj4851
    Member
    from Decatur Il

    Thanks for all the input, guys, very helpful. Is there a "best" metal for shields, stainless or aluminum? Thanks again, Rod
     
  12. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,213

    sunbeam
    Member

    Are you sure the timing was right? Late timing can turn even cast manifolds cherry red.
     
  13. raj4851
    Joined: Jan 18, 2006
    Posts: 95

    raj4851
    Member
    from Decatur Il

    Hey sunbeam, the timing was at about 32 degrees or so and I advanced it just a little. It's a centrifugal advance, no vacuum. I thought that should be about right at 2500 RPM. Sound right?
     
  14. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,213

    sunbeam
    Member

    That should be fine. I was talking 20- 30 degrees retarded. Some times in the rush to get the engine up to speed to break the cam in the timing is not where is should be.
     

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