Sam Parthemer wrote:
>
> ----------
> > From: Michael Clark <mclark@wt.net>
> > To: dakota@ait.fredonia.edu
> > Subject: The bad effects of Doug Thorleys...
> > Date: Monday, July 14, 1997 11:45 PM
> >
> > I'm holding off on the headers for a few days until I can get some more
> > information. I talked to a mechanic today and he said that for a daily
> > driver street automobile headers is a BAD idea. The reasons he stated
> > were that the underhood temps climb so high that before long the wires,
> > belts, and hoses and all other heat sensitive components start to break
> > down. He said be prepared to replace the starter motor about every 6
> > months because the stock heat shield will have to be removed and the
> > starter will get cooked. He said they will leak, rattle and that they
> > are just a bad idea. He said for racing applications they are great but
> > not for daily drivers.
>
> Who's the mechanic?? He must not deal with DT much. Yes the
> headers put off a bunch of heat. BUT, your truck (at least mine does), has
> heat shields around the spark plugs, so your plug wires are fine. The only
> other 'heat' sensitive items I had that were close to the headers were the
> brake lines (coming off of the master cyl), and a wiring harness coming
> close to the battery. I moved the harness (it was floating out there
> anyway,
> so I held it against another harness, and used an automotive type zip
> tie (30 second job). On my brake lines, I merely bent the lines back
> towards
> the firewall then down (by hand, again 30 second job). My truck didn't
> have a heat shield on the starter, and once the headers were in place
> I actually had more room between the starter than with the stock
> exhaust. A heat shield is available (it's for a Chevy, and you will have
> to modify it) for other vehicles, but none is required with the Dakota
> (at least with a 5 spd). Mine don't leak (except for the pressure
> fit on the cross over pipe, which expands/seals after 5 minutes of
> run time...as per the design). They don't rattle, except for a slight
> 'firing' sound you get through the pipes..sounds healthy, AND if
> you follow the instructions on tightening the header bolts, you'll have no
> problems. (tighten 1 day after install, then 1 week, then 1 month,
> then every 3-4 months thereafter). I bought mine in Feb, and have gone
> through the 4 times...only had 4 loose bolts (semi loose actually), and
> they were the rears...again only 10 minutes to tighten (wear gloves!!!
> you must tighten them while hot).
>
> > I think I'll still probably do the headers but I just want to look
> > before I leap. Does the stock heat shields need to be removed? Are
> > they connected to the manifolds or the truck? What about heat shielding
> > material for the wires and hoses? What about header wraps, I think Sam
> > mentioned one time that DT says not to wrap or coat their headers.
> >
> > So has this guy got me paranoid or do the DT's put off that much heat?
> > --
>
> Yes, DT says not to coat them as it will void the life time warranty
> against defects. With the heat held in the headers, the welds and such
> can break. One GOOD side effect your truck will experience, is cooler
> running temps... Oh yeah, about the heat. I just did 1000 mile drive from
> San Diego->Yuma(AZ)->Flagstaff(AZ)->Blythe(ca)->El Centro(ca)->San Diego
> 2 weekends ago. Average outside temperature for everywhere except
> SanDiego and Flagstaff (110 degrees F.) Imagine what the engine
> compartment
> was.... Plus I ran my AC the entire time... When I was stopped a few
> times
> (I went to the Dunes overlook at Glamis, CA.) and started again, my clutch
> fan would kick on for 2-3 miles... But that's normal.
>
> Sam '95 SLT Dakota
> http://www.users.cts.com/king/s/samp/
Sam, thanks for the reply. I still think I'll get the headers. This
guy does all our repairs and such on the family cars. We've used him
for many years. He does good work and also has a few race cars so I
thought he might know a little, but he isn't familiar with Dakota stuff
firsthand. I think also he may like the idea of busting peoples bubbles
if you know what I mean, kinda has an ego at times... I think that I
may get some heat shielding material for the ac hoses and stuff anyway,
wouldnt hurt any. Thanks for the info though, guess after hearing all
the negatives I just needed a little encouragement...
--__________________________________________ | Michael Clark | | mike@snakebite.com | | '93 Mark III 4X2 V-8 SWB | |auto, MP SBEC, K&N FIPK, Flowmaster dual | |__________________________________________| | http://userv.wt.net/~mclark/ | | IRC nick: MarkIII | |__________________________________________|
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