Inline 6 headers installed...Now it won't stay running

[dnorris009]

First, I wanted to say thanks for all the help.
This is a great community, especially for me...the mechanically challenged.

Anyway, My 200 inline chevy never failed to start & idled fine with the stock exhaust manifold. (even with manifold only/no pipe)

Installed the longtube headers & now it refuses to stay running.
If I keep feathering the gas, I can keep it running
but the minute I let off, it dies.

Only thing I've done was change from stock exhaust to headers.
Does going to headers require changing the timing? Carb adjustment?
Something else I'm missing?

Thanks again for any help.
Dave

[caja_larga]

I would say intake leak. Are you running a stock intake? dis you install new gaskets?

[usmcchevy]

First make sure you don't have an intake leak by taking carb cleaner/WD40 or anything else flammable and spraying around the intake. If your engine speed increases you have a leak. If not your carb is in need of adjustment. Your Idle/air mix screw is located at the front base of the carb. Open it about 1/4 turn and try it. You may need to adjust your idle speed also. Hope this helps.

['68OrangeSunshine]

"200" ?
Anyway, manifold leak X3.

[junkyardjohn]

IT WOULD BE QUITE A COINCIDENCE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO POP UP OUTA THE BLUE. EXHAUST CHANGES WONT HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THE PROBLEM YOU DESCRIBE. THEREFORE IT MUST BE SOMETHING YOU INNADVERTENLY DID DURING THE HEADER INSTALL. (BUMP A WIRE OFF, ? REMOVE THE CARB? CHANGE THE TIMMING? ECT.) THINK BACK & RETRACE YOUR STEPS. WHEN YOU HEAR HOOFBEATS.. DON'T LOOK AROUND FOR UNICORNS. JOHN

[Old Bluey]

It happened to me the 1st time I did an intake swap (vacuum leak) . I traced it back to an uneven torque on the intake/exhaust bolts. I tightened a couple down and it misaligned the manifold enough to keep it from sealing.

Staggering the bolt pressure is key when cranking it down.

[dnorris009]

200? Oops, Thinking of my old Ford it's a 250
Thanks.
First thing I'll do is check for an intake leak after work.

[292farmer]

u may need to adjust the idle if it isn't an intake leak. i know i needed to do a little adjusting, headers seemed to make the idle go lean on my 292. (or i hit it pulling the carb off)

[dnorris009]

Hey Farmer,

After reading the advice here (Thank you everyone)
& looking at the pictures you shot for me of "The Beast's" set-up. I'm pretty dang sure it's an intake leak because
I used studs that aren't long enough to use the intakes original clamp point.

I used the lower lip & think that's not good enough.
Going to mimic your set-up & see if that fixes it.

By the way,don't know how you got away with runnin' open headers so long.
Mine is LOUD as hell & sounds like a machine gun

[292farmer]

lol yes they are loud, makes u think u can compete with a pulling tractor the cops in my area could give a crap for a truck with no exhaust, hell my town cop has pulled me over doing 85 in a 30 and all i've gotten is a verbal waring.

[292farmer]

did u get it running right?

[dnorris009]

Originally Posted by 292farmer

did u get it running right?

Yes,finally.
She's Alive!!!!! {insert maniacal laughter}

Click on the engine for the video.



Ain't no way I could drive around like this.
Was scaring little children & setting off car alarms when I opened her up
during the test drive

[usmcchevy]

So.......What was the problem? If ya don't mind me ask'in.

[dnorris009]

Originally Posted by usmcchevy

So.......What was the problem? If ya don't mind me ask'in.

Well basically, My head was up my butt.

The new studs I installed weren't long enough for two of the stock intake clamping points.
So I tried using the lower lip but that caused a major intake leak.

My original plan was to use a 1 to 2 barrel adapter with the stock intake I had from a previous project.
Gonna have find something better though,or install an aftermarket intake, because the way I've got it now is far from perfect.

[beebster]

Ever since i added headers to my 71 longhorn 350, it's been nothing but headaches!
never again.
the worst part is, the ram horns were just fine.
Mr. murphy made an appearance on that one LOL

['68OrangeSunshine]

Just a thought here... Are you still using the stock guide pins on the ends? The ones outside of the port for cylinders 1 and 6? Guide pins won't work with headers. They can be removed with a vicegrips and PB Blaster and spun off CCW. The holes are threaded 3/8-16 UNC. I use a stud 3/8-16 --3/8-24 in holes 1 and 8.