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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: 86c10 on December 14, 2012, 08:50:58 am

Title: Used headers
Post by: 86c10 on December 14, 2012, 08:50:58 am
I have a set of headers that have a couple of small cracks. I think the truck they came out of over heated and that might be why they cracked. One is on the collector and they other is on the primary near the flange. Is it worth trying to weld the cracks and use them or should they just go in the scrap pile? I've checked the flanges with a straight edge and they are fine.
Title: Re: Used headers
Post by: gildardo01 on December 14, 2012, 06:00:17 pm
if you have a welder, sure weld them and reuse them, if you have to pay to get them welded up might want to consider the cost of the welding first...
Title: Used headers
Post by: Tx_Phil on December 14, 2012, 06:47:25 pm
If you can do the welding then you've got nothing to loose but some time and maybe a set of gaskets.

Are you putting them back in the same engine\heads they came off of?  My concern would be that the flanges may have warped and you won't get a good seal at the head.
Title: Re: Used headers
Post by: thirsty on December 14, 2012, 09:55:30 pm
If you can weld I would weld them up. Like Tx-Phil said you will only be out some gaskets and you could even reuse those if you had to.
Title: Re: Used headers
Post by: bake74 on December 15, 2012, 08:43:46 am
if you have a welder, sure weld them and reuse them, if you have to pay to get them welded up might want to consider the cost of the welding first...

      You have to careful of the heat you apply, they will warp if too much heat is used.  Check them when you are done again before putting them on.
Title: Re: Used headers
Post by: 86c10 on December 15, 2012, 07:28:24 pm
Thanks guys, I do have a MIG so welding them myself is no problem. They came out of a parts truck so they aren't going back on the motor they came off of.
Title: Re: Used headers
Post by: gildardo01 on December 15, 2012, 08:18:36 pm
if you have a welder, sure weld them and reuse them, if you have to pay to get them welded up might want to consider the cost of the welding first...

      You have to careful of the heat you apply, they will warp if too much heat is used.  Check them when you are done again before putting them on.
yeah forgot to mention that.... definitely have to consider the heat... have to weld them as if you were welding thin sheet metal...
Title: Re: Used headers
Post by: 86c10 on December 16, 2012, 08:14:59 am
if you have a welder, sure weld them and reuse them, if you have to pay to get them welded up might want to consider the cost of the welding first...

      You have to careful of the heat you apply, they will warp if too much heat is used.  Check them when you are done again before putting them on.
yeah forgot to mention that.... definitely have to consider the heat... have to weld them as if you were welding thin sheet metal...

I figured I would have to go easy on them, I think they are just cheap summit brand headers.

Has anybody used the VHT header paint?