I was about convinced that headers was the way to go when my buddy Bobby, [who changed out a water pump on the way to Dega in under tthree hours]said NO NO NO. Reason? You burn up everything under the hood. Spark plug wires, oil lines,[and filters] wiring, and anything else down there that might be succeptible to heat. At this point I don't have a real reason to go the header route but if it came up in the future I'd like to know the facts. I already jammed the heat riser wide open and fixed the donut and HR seal leaks, but I know the 454 mani's are notorious for cracking and I'm getting mixed messages about the fix. All ears for the voice of experience!

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Dan & Suzy Z
'81 Euro 28

HEAT??? you can always wrap the headers with the very good heat tape that is available. I am going to suggest this can be overcome, and others will tell how.

Well, now that’s what I've been looking for, some header heat wrap tape for my Banks system. I have not been able to find it anywhere. Dale, anyone, where could this be found?
As an aside, I think the aftermarket headers probably run cooler than stock ones, in that there is more area to dissipate heat. Not a known fact, just an observation.
Jack

Jack, all speed shops have or can get as well as the mail order houses. It is offered all the time, and has proven to work. Started out on the drag strips years ago. I am sure it is available on the net.
It is not a tape, but a roll of fabric. It does not have an adhesive on one side either. At least the one I have used in the past.
Dale

[This message has been edited by DALE SMITH (edited October 18, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by DALE SMITH (edited October 18, 2004).]

My buddy's reasoning is that the thick cast iron manifolds dissipate the heat until at least the point where the mani's connect to the exhaust pipes. He also dissed the dual exhaust on my Euro because the new right pipe runs too close to the electronic crossover from the gas tanks. It is close but we've tried to isolate them as much as possible. Gotta go watch my Bucs. Good evening all!

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Dan & Suzy Z
'81 Euro 28

The Thorley lifetime warranty is voided if wrap is used.

Headers usually result in cooler underhood temps. Heat soak is lessened due to the considerably lesser mass of tube headers over thick heavy cast iron manifolds.

However, headers put hot tubes in places where there was no heat before. This can cause problems if the installer is not aware of the necessity of shielding or relocating wires, lines and hoses.