I purchased a set of ceramic coated Hooker Headers and they arrived today. I read through the paperwork and right there at the top was a statement. Basically it indicated ceramic coated headers can't be used on engines that are being broken - in as it will ruin the coating. Perhaps this is common knowledge just not to me. So my question is, has anyone ever broken in an engine with the headers and if so what we're the effects? Should I get a cheap pair of flow techs to brake the motor in?

Thank you for any feedback.

Drew

 

Put them on, brake it in and don't worry about it.

I used my hookers when I was breaking in my 350, nothing happened.

 

Agreed..

 

What was on the engine before?

 

Why would breaking in an engine affect the headers?.
Maybe if it has a lean running cylinder that gets excessively hot there could be an issue, but an engine with 30k miles behind it could develop a fault giving similar symptoms.


Roger.

 

Eric this is a new motor that has not been fired up yet.

 

Roger the issue seems to be with the ceramic coating. Apparently there is a process to properly breaking in the ceramic coating. I think I'm going to install the new hooker and call it a day.
Thanks for the input guys.
Drew

 

Thanks Drew. What is the correct procedure for doing this?. I'm just curious, I don't forsee me putting them on my car in the near future.


Roger.

 

Roger, the paper work just indicates that the ceramic coated headers require several heat cycles to fully cure before they will withstand extreme heat. I Googled this issue and there was a mix of comments. Some saying just install them and others saying to use a cheap set or a set of manifolds.
I guess it's not a huge deal, it's not like they are a set of ARH!

 

All coated headers have this warning. I think it's because during initial break in you may have timing issues and/or a lean condition causing excess heat and there by damaging the coating and causing finish issues.

 

This is it. A while back I talked to Jet Hot Coatings and was told that the ceramic could discolor during engine break-in. Not a big deal to me as I was looking for a dark (black) coating so discoloration wouldn't apply.