Helping a friend install a new 454 in truck. Upon start up and after a few minutes, headers turn glowing red. Timing set at 32 and carb jetting OK. Plugs look good. What else do we need to check. Aluminum heads, RV cam, Weind intake. Help!!

timing is way retarded. advance the timing.

How do you know the carb jetting is OK? Has this carb been used before, or is it out of the box?

Verify that the outer ring of the dampner has not slipped.

How is throttle response, OK, or is it sluggish?

It's either lean or the timing is retarded as 1320 said

Will check timing ring on dampener. Carb was used on previous 454 with no problem. I thought a few rockers may be too tight? By the way, what are the things called that are used on the rockers to slow the oil splashing out all over while adjusting them. Brain fade.

Verify TDC, and check the timing.

Those things aka rocker stoppers were garbage and that’s why Lisle doesn’t sell them anymore. Adjust the valves cold.

We turned it over by hand till compression came up on one. Timing marker was on TDC. Set dist and started, that's when after about a minute we noticed coated header turned red. As far as the rocker oil stoppers, used to set lifters for 40+ years, just keep things a little cleaner, this is a show truck.

Set your preload cold

I agree with Ed on the Oil Deflector Clips being worthless, and also on setting your valves cold, with engine off.

How was the timing measured, at idle, or ? (What RPM, does it have a vacuum advance distributor, and was that vac line connected or not, etc).

Every time I have seen glowing headers, it has been ignition timing, (lack of adequate spark advance). No idea what the specs are on the RV cam, usually they are a mild, hydraulic flat-tappet grind. A lot of engines, even fairly mild builds with aftermarket cams, do not like Vacuum advance. (Which is really vacuum retard).

Agree it is timing issue. Only had exhaust glowing like that few times all But one where timing. I did have leak between blower and intake on street rod do it once.

Here is the best method to use for setting your valve lash, no matter what type of cam/lifters:
Dragzine - EO/IC Valve Adjustment Method

quote:

Originally posted by Runner-up:
Helping a friend install a new 454 in truck. Upon start up and after a few minutes, headers turn glowing red. Timing set at 32 and carb jetting OK. Plugs look good. What else do we need to check. Aluminum heads, RV cam, Weind intake. Help!!

Agree with Ed, timing is way retarded.

Need to reverify TDC vs your timing pointer accurately!

quote:

Originally posted by TOP38:

Agree with Ed, timing is way retarded.

Need to reverify TDC vs your timing pointer accurately!

This comment from TOP38 got me to thinking. Most factory damper markings don't go up to 32*, so how was that advance point determined? Aftermarket crank dampers can be off on TDC or degree markings. If timing checked with a dial-back light, it could be off as well. Or, could it be the damper has a timing tape on it? I've seen guys put a tape for a 7 inch SBC damper on an 8 inch BBC unit, and vice versa. That can mess you up too. Just some more things for the O.P. to consider...