Posted By: W5Duster436
First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 02:00 PM
Getting ready to fire up my car for the first time and since it has no windshield and is not really driveable I can't take it to put exhaust on it beforehand.
The engine is fresh but is using a solid lifter setup that was previously "broken in" so I don't really need to do a break-in so to speak.
I am really excited to fire it up but am worried that with 11.5:1 it may be a bit loud and I may not hear rods etc. There is a muffler shop less than a mile from me but I have no way to get the car there first.
what say you?
Posted By: W5Duster436
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 02:16 PM
I wish I had one. Had to get rid of it when I moved into my subdivision. Don't have a truck anymore either and unfortunately don't know anyone with a trailer either.
Posted By: 540challenger
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 02:19 PM
you can always buy header mufflers until yu get the exhaust on.
Posted By: 65cuda
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 02:27 PM
it's only a mile go for it. no windshield shouldn't be any different than a bike wear glasses. have your wife drive ahead if she sees a cop pull in some where till he goes by. i would try it. cops might be understanding.
Posted By: cjskotni
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 02:31 PM
Aren't you worried about burning a valve? Not to mention the underside of your car...
Posted By: 65cuda
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 02:35 PM
cars run open headers at the strip all the time.
Posted By: extranjero
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 02:41 PM
If you are going to fire it up, fire it up and let it scream, yes it will be loud but if the motor has already been broken in, what is thier to listen for? Screw the neighbors, that's like someone else controlling your behavior other than your mom, dad, or wife (or boyfriend HEEE!). You won't burn a valve with open headers. Any cop will cut you slack if you are in the process of making your car law compliant. Otherwise, that cop will look like an azz in front of the judge explaining why you were given ticket for loud exhaust while on your way to the muffler shop to get it fixed. And credibility is everything to a cop. I just wouldn't be out for cruises in the current condition of your car. As mentioned, Cherry Bomb header mufflers still sell for about 18 smackers apiece. Lastly, if you are pulled over for loud exhaust, and they try to ding you for no windshield, you can say you were going to fix the exhaust first, as it it the most annoyance (in some peoples eyes) so you can take it to the windshield shop to get that fixed. A restoration in progress, if you will. It is just creative story telling, very simple.
Posted By: W5Duster436
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 02:48 PM
the whole point is that the car still needs to be started and run again for the first time without exhaust. I could care less about driving it down the road to the muffler shop I just wondered about doing another break-in/ring seal without exhaust. I remember the car before with 12:1 and you could hardly hear any engine noise it was so loud. :-)
I tamed down the compression to 11.25 or so. Just worried that if I had something go wrong like rod knocking (heaven forbid) that I wouldn't be able to hear it with open headers.
Posted By: 65cuda
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 02:54 PM
no [Edited by Moparts - Keep it clean] when i first started mine up in the garage all kinds of stuff started jumping off the shevles. i was looking for something to fall on me.
Posted By: Gary67
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 03:00 PM
I started mine with open headers rode it around the block a few times that way..It set my neighbors car alarm off twice...He just laughed and said he wished someday he could have a car that would do that...
Posted By: 79powerwagon
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 03:20 PM
It won't hurt to run it. Just be VERY observant as to where the exhaust exits out the headers so as not to burn anything. I drove my wagon to the muffler shop (15 miles) open headers, but I had some pipe scabbed on it to divert it away from the important stuff underneath. While I was tuning it up, I had this set-up on it, just so I wouldn't go deaf.
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 04:51 PM
Myself I would have a buddy help me tow it the mile to the muff shop. I've done it both ways & there's enough to be concerned with during breakin with out the roar of open ex adding to the confusion.
Posted By: MarkZ
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 07:06 PM
I did the first run on the 360 open headers with the 5A. Just used some 3" angled pipe to divert the exhaust off of the floor boards. Drove it about 40 miles like that too on the shake down run. Have a little fun, then go get your exhaust.
Posted By: RodStRace
Re: First startup w/open headers - 06/12/08 07:17 PM
I've fired up a few motors open. They tend to sound very healthy, and you can't hear the smaller stuff.
I'd splurge on a couple feet of flex pipe (if needed) and a pair of mufflers.
Guess John and I agree on this one.
If you want the roar, toss the mufflers in the back for the drive over to the muffler shop.
It's important to use all senses on a new motor...
