Making dents in headers

[soundcontrol]

Interesting test of denting headers for clearance:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azPKIjxmmdU#t=688

[1 Wild R/T]

Yup, surprised by the results...

[dfrazz]

bash away!

[dodj]

Wow. Save $. Don't buy TTI, buy a set of cheap tubes and a hammer.

[soundcontrol]

Wow. Save $. Don't buy TTI, buy a set of cheap tubes and a hammer.

I got ceramic coated TTI's and a big hammer! 
And I'm serious, I wish I wasn't but....
Gotta modify them for a NAG1 with a passenger side starter. I suspect I have to cut the tubes and reroute them.

[73440]

Maybe the dents make a smaller diameter which raises the velocity which increases scavenging which allows more fuel charge in.

[daveh]

Ok so when you have ceramic coated hearers what's the best way to dimple them without cracking the coating? 

[soundcontrol]

Ok so when you have ceramic coated hearers what's the best way to dimple them without cracking the coating?

Good question, the coating will probably be destroyed on mine when I get started, I'll probably have to both cut, reroute and dent them to fit.

[73restomod]

You can dimple ceramic coated headers by heating them up and gently massaging them. However don't hit them with ball peen directly, use another hammer to swing and rest the ball peen against the work. Also ceramic coat doesn't tolerate to much movement so if its a big ding you need to make...

[TelisSE440]

I was too surprised by the results, anyway can't I get some cheap headers, do the dents and then ceramic coat them ?

[moprr]

Cheap headers normally have thin flanges which tend to leak. I once bought cheap headers then had them coated after a while I got sick of leaks and replacing gaskets.  I bought a good header with thick flanges and never regretted it .

[HP2]

Thick flanges help, but the size of the weld bead around the port, and the relative flatness off the grinding of all these welds around the ports are factors as well.

If you are willing to weld and grind, you can make a cheap set seal up pretty good.

[360 'CUDA]

I was surprised they left the headers on the engine when they pounded them. I was picturing all kinds of cracks in the head from the sudden movement.   I cracked a head once when one of my headers hung up on the trailer unloading the car.

[TelisSE440]

I thought that too... Seems that American V-8s  are robust enough...