Rattling headers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 363
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From: Peabody MA
Rattling headers
I just had Exotic Muscle longtubes installed and there is one problem: on the passenger side, one of the primaries is touching a part of the frame, maybe a foot from the start of the tube. It's rattling like crazy! 
I tried stuffing a piece of titanium exhaust wrap between the tube and frame but it just fell out. Next I'm going to buy a coolant hose and cut that up and try to jam it in there, but I fear it could melt/catch fire. Any fixes that don't require removing the headers?
I tried stuffing a piece of titanium exhaust wrap between the tube and frame but it just fell out. Next I'm going to buy a coolant hose and cut that up and try to jam it in there, but I fear it could melt/catch fire. Any fixes that don't require removing the headers?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Peabody MA
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Peabody MA
I think grinding down the frame or getting a torch to the headers are the only long-term options. To grind the frame I'd definitely need the headers out, I might be able to get a torch in there while they're still attached.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,697
Likes: 1,666
From: moraga ca
Simple, done this a couple of times with my cars. With the headers hot, place a tire iron (or large screwdriver if you have minimal clearance between the header and the frame. Torque the tire iron one way or the other. The header will bend slightly and the primary might flatten a bit. You will have the clearance you need.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Peabody MA
Simple, done this a couple of times with my cars. With the headers hot, place a tire iron (or large screwdriver if you have minimal clearance between the header and the frame. Torque the tire iron one way or the other. The header will bend slightly and the primary might flatten a bit. You will have the clearance you need.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Peabody MA
I just tried it using a massive screwdriver and a crowbar. It actually worked a LITTLE bit, but the noise is still there when I make a left turn (it doesn't do it in a straight line anymore though). I'm going to give it another shot at autocross when it's really hot.
Is one of the primaries contacting the frame on the pass side? That's where mine is rattling from. You can tell where it's coming from by turning; it's on the right side if it rattles louder when you turn left.
Is one of the primaries contacting the frame on the pass side? That's where mine is rattling from. You can tell where it's coming from by turning; it's on the right side if it rattles louder when you turn left.
