well, when we first started up the new engine, the paint on one of the primary tubes changed from black to light gray due to heat. it is cheap paint from $110 hedman headers, but if that was the only factor, i would think all of them would have been affected. what do you think caused this, and how do i fix it? or should i just leave it?

 

Could be that one cylinder went lean and ran hotter. I'd definitely fix the problem before you drive it too much more and melt a piston. Look for vaccuum leaks. They will cause a lean condition in a sinle cylinder.

 

If that is the paint that came on the headers it is for shipping purposes only. It will burn off to bare metal soon. It is not made for high temps, but just to prevent rust till it gets to you when you can do whatever you like with them.

Ben