Is there a "safe" way to slightly add a small dent to a header tube (ceramic coated) for additional clearance without damaging the coating?

Thanks

 

I used a big socket the size of the dimple I was trying to make and just hit it easy. Worked fine, made a smoothe indentation and didn't damage the coating.

Bill

 

I hear people using a wrench sockets for that, I think you have to use a large one and tap it only enough to do the dent. I got a set of coated headers where the PO did some dents on them, it doesn't show any damage to the ceramic surface at all.

 

ops! .. I think we both posted at the same time!

 

what if you take 2 ball pein hammers and turn one with the ball down against the header where you want the dimple then take the other one and tap the flat face of the hammer untill you get the dimple you want

 

I respectfully advise against smashing two hammers together. That would be a very good way to send small pieces of metal towards your eyes and face.

 

I think Skip meant tap rather than smash when he said "tap". Of course, wearing safety glasses is always a good idea when doing any kind of impact activity.
Terry

 

Exactly what I meant I don`t think that the hammer face is hardened to the point that it will chip that easily. I doubt that most commercial ball pein hammers are much over a Rockwell C 40 to 50. If they were hardened to the point of chipping that easily they would be totally useless as a hammer. NOW files and chisels are an entirely different matter.

 

Normally an ext. bar or socket is used as above. This gives a smooth surface to make the indention.

 

I put a few layers of masking tape over the area first then used the two hammer method. The one against the header was a non mar plastic mallet. Seemed to work fine & didn't damage the ceramic coating

Jim

 

I have personally never done it but I have heard of wrapping the header tube and a socket of the required size and using a press to apply the pressure. This way no possibility of chipping the coating. It might be worth a try. How many times have you seen a "dimple" in a header that has broken the coating and looks nasty?