Fixing dents on exhaust headers

[Tristan899]

Does anyone know anybody in town that fixes dents on headers? Mine got pretty banged up at the night race and i just bought it so id really like to get it fixed. Thank you!

[JohnnyJeep]

Fill it with water, plug the ends and freeze it. Watch it so it doesn't over expand

[jim13]

I've used this trick with good luck on large dents, but small rock rings are usually still left. If youy don't see good results with the first time, try it several and see what happens.

[grandpa1]

You can try this guy, bruce, 379-6112.

[Yodiracer]

Another way to do it (my preferred way) if you have access to a oxy/acetylene torch is to fab two caps from steel pipe and o-rings and install a shrader air valve in one of the plugs. Hook up to air compessor with about 50 psi and then heat dent until it pops out. It helps to have a buddy with all this stuff but I can give you his phone number if your interested. He charges $30.

[sirhk100]

Fill it with water, plug the ends and freeze it. Watch it so it doesn't over expand

Before throwing away an old pipe of mine I tried this just for the fun factor. It resulted in it looking pretty much the same with virtually all the dents still there, and a nice 5" crack down a weld seam. This was on a 2T pipe though...

Khris

[BestNThDez]

Johnny, out of curiosity, is it really necessary to plug the ends of the pipe before freezing? It doesn't seem to me that it'd make a difference, since it's the ice that forms that will push the dent out. Unless of course it's to keep the water from spilling out before freezing. I've never tried this technique, but heard it works well for larger dents and that sometimes several freezes are necessary.

[sirhk100]

When I tried it on that old pipe, I plugged the engine side, filled it up with water and stood it up so the silencer end was at top. Didn't plug that end. It definitely expanded like we've all be told, unfortunately the weld seam on the FMF fatty was weaker then popping dents out and ended up being the victim. No biggie though, the pipe was slated for trash like I said, it was just an experiment more then anything....

[LVThumper]

You can use the the rubber end stops and hose clamps from Home Depot. They work great to hold the water in while it's freezing. I have done it a couple times and it definitely gets the big dents out. The little ones require the heated gas method.

[tabula_rasa]

You can do it all yourself like Yodi described for about $40 in parts (except for the compressor) but Bruce is an exhaust WIZARD. He not only pops the dents but also welds like a pro (cracks, ripped off mounts) and polishes or power coats all for $30.
I have made it my mission to bring him a pipe he can't fix and so far he is winning 8-0. I squished my pipe into pancakes, elephant ears , pretzels, ripped off mounts, all on the same pipe mind you, and it still looks like new.
I am not affiliated with Bruce in any way, I just can't believe that he just won't let me destroy a pipe.

[jim13]

Johnny, out of curiosity, is it really necessary to plug the ends of the pipe before freezing? It doesn't seem to me that it'd make a difference, since it's the ice that forms that will push the dent out. Unless of course it's to keep the water from spilling out before freezing. I've never tried this technique, but heard it works well for larger dents and that sometimes several freezes are necessary.

I didn't plug the ends on the header I used. But, I have the freezer space to position the dent at the most downward position, where smaller freezers it may not be as easy and may require a plug to keep the water in. It's just a thought, I'm not sure really as I haven't been in that position yet.

[Tristan899]

Thank you guys for all your advice.

[67baja]

I just stumbled across this thread on TT. It has a before and after pic, and they did not plug the ends of the pipe.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showth ... p?t=915828