new headman elite headers leaking
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
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new headman elite headers leaking
I just got finished installing my brand new headman elite coated headers only to find a leak between the flange and a primary tube. There is a nice little black streak that confirms the annoying little ticking sound 
What would be the best course of action? I really dont want to pull the headers off the car again if I can avoid it
What would be the best course of action? I really dont want to pull the headers off the car again if I can avoid it
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Arent the Elites ceramic coated? If so, any repair will not look good to you. 
Well to me it wouldnt. I know its a PITA but go ahead and pull them and send em back to who ya got them from. Raise enuff caine to at least get a gift certificate for more goodies...errr to cover your time and effort. 
Good luck with it!
Well to me it wouldnt. I know its a PITA but go ahead and pull them and send em back to who ya got them from. Raise enuff caine to at least get a gift certificate for more goodies...errr to cover your time and effort. Good luck with it!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 658
Likes: 7
From: Perth Amboy New Jersey
Arent the Elites ceramic coated? If so, any repair will not look good to you. Well to me it wouldnt. I know its a PITA but go ahead and pull them and send em back to who ya got them from. Raise enuff caine to at least get a gift certificate for more goodies...errr to cover your time and effort.
Good luck with it!
Well to me it wouldnt. I know its a PITA but go ahead and pull them and send em back to who ya got them from. Raise enuff caine to at least get a gift certificate for more goodies...errr to cover your time and effort. Good luck with it!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,699
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Either a bad weld or excessive hand porting by the manufacturer or the installer. I've opened up the ports on a set of headers to match my ports. You can only go so far (I've learned). Either way, start wrenching.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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Yep, weld and recoat to repair correctly.
Or weld and use silver header paint. If the spot is accessible for a welder...maybe it can be done on the car. Won't look quite as good, but it'll work. That's what I did when I found the same problem on the back end (with my collector flange).
Or weld and use silver header paint. If the spot is accessible for a welder...maybe it can be done on the car. Won't look quite as good, but it'll work. That's what I did when I found the same problem on the back end (with my collector flange).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I would just pull the one thats leaking off and when the new set comes send the leaking one and the one new header back for reimbursment.. This would save having to pull both off. At least you save half the work...
..WW
..WW
Last edited by WW7; Jul 18, 2011 at 01:12 PM.
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Thread Starter
Pro
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Thread Starter
Pro
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THat a good idea except that I would be paying the freight on that I think. Summit said if I pull them both off, they will send me a prepaid label.
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Pro
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the local engine shop gave me the number of a really good welder that he works with. I may end up going that way.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
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Yep, weld and recoat to repair correctly.
Or weld and use silver header paint. If the spot is accessible for a welder...maybe it can be done on the car. Won't look quite as good, but it'll work. That's what I did when I found the same problem on the back end (with my collector flange).
Or weld and use silver header paint. If the spot is accessible for a welder...maybe it can be done on the car. Won't look quite as good, but it'll work. That's what I did when I found the same problem on the back end (with my collector flange).
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Indianapolis IN
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Oddly enough my shop just hit the same kind of breach with a welder as-is. (pipe-to-flange leak) They didn't prep at all. I sortof call "B.S." on what they were doing. I asked about the coating (and it's negative long-term affect on the weld). He said not-to-worry. So far it's holding.
We'll see....
Note: By "just hit", I don't me recently. It was last fall. "Just" was intended to mean merely.
We'll see....
Note: By "just hit", I don't me recently. It was last fall. "Just" was intended to mean merely.
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Jul 18, 2011 at 06:25 PM. Reason: clarification on meaning and time-frame for repair
Thread Starter
Pro
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019