burnt valves

i've asked this in LT1 tech but they don't seem to know much lately

if an LT1 is run open headers, can you burn your valves?

i've wanted to run open headers at the track and for short periods otherwise but i've been told by some people who may or may not know what they are talking about that i'm sure to burn my valves.

what are the symptoms of burnt valves?

Old racers tale. Only way to burn valves by running open headers would be if removing the exhaust system leaned out the air/fuel ratio too much. People used to say you'd burn valves because after running with open headers the engine would draw in cold air from the outside (no muffler so a short direct path to the valves) and the cold air would cool the valve material so quick that the valves would warp. Once warped the valves would never fully seat and they would burn (not transfer heat from combustion because they don't fully contact the valve seat if warped) causing lost compression, poor performance, and all sorts of ills. It just doesn't happen. But you could possibly run too lean and cause some problems. If you have an AFPR, then uncork the exhaust and bump up the fuel pressure a couple of PSI.

Later ... Larry S.