I hit a big rock in the road, there was no way to avoid it. Anyways here are the pics of them. Can anyone help with some info on how to fix it. Thanks!
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

 

Yes! This can fixed and quiet simply too!

I've seen it done before!

Pull the pipe away from the header collector, now you'll need to find a Metal Ball Bearing around the size of the pipe (Smaller preferably - so that it will roll back out and not get stuck!)

You can even use three or four different ones (In small form to bunch in the crushed section to unfold it, as they will roll aruond as you hit them)

You could also use a large one behind them to do the hitting on or to push the smaller ones up there! (If you know what I mean!)

You will need to use a metal rod of your choice and a hammer to hit on the ball bearings to push them through the crushed section!

They will role out since they are smaller in size!

It has been done before and you should be able to do it yourself or with a buddies help - I helps to have someone there just to help alleviate some frustration and to help with some of the pounding!

I hope this helps!

Thanks,Matt

 

Thanks Man, I'll have to try that!

 

Interesting info. But where do you buy ball bearings that size?

 

No offense - Is the proposed solution for real? If you can even find a ball bearing that big, and you can even ram it past the dent(s), it is surely going to get stuck on the engine side of the dent when the metal slightly reforms back to its' previously deformed state. I believe the only practical fix is a new header. This happened to me going over a poorly maintained concrete bridge in my '64 Malibu SS w/headers.

 

Maybe a ball bearing from a ship's propeller shaft ?????

Also, to apply enough force to "undent" the headers will more likely either break welds, or damage the header to head interface. I certainly wouldn't try it while the headers are attached to the engine ..... MAYBE while on a work bench ....

Bottom line ... replace the headers .....

 

Happa, was wondering if your car is lowered? Hard to tell in the pics.

 

Couldn't a shop tack weld and use a slide hammer to bring the dent out? It might not make it perfect but it would definitely help.

 

This is what i was thinking would be a practical and most cost effective route to go.

 

Those look like LG's, I would contact them directly and get their input on this.

 

especially if you heated up the pipe some to make it more mallable.

 

I dented headers once pulling on to a lift that wasn't completely down. A local welder cut out the dented area and replaced it with a "patch" made from a section of similar tubing. LG's input sounds like good advice...

 

Any good muff shop could cut out the mashed parts and weld in new pieces, since the headers are not coated. Had it done on my old 56 Vette.

 

My car is lowered and they are LG's. I think I might try to go to a muffler's shop. I can get big ball bearings from my work. But I did think about the ole ball bearing thing and would of thought it would get stuck. One thing that might work on the ball bearing is weld a long rod to it and knock it in that way and you'll have something to pull it out with. Thanks everyone for your input

 

I think the point made above is that if you start pounding with enough force to get the dents out you will probably mess up the head to header surface or break welds. Take it to a muffler shop and have them weld in new pieces as stated above or you will make it worse.

 

I

 

about shoving more ***** in there.

 

If you try the ***** it would be interesting if you'd post how that played out.........

 

I don't believe this. That EXACT thing happened to me in upstate NY over the Memorial Day holiday! I thought about trying the ball bearing trick over the winter to smooth the tubes out. I would offer the following suggestions;
Header off of the car.
Heat the tube
1 large ball bearing diameter = tube ID - ~3/16"
If you use a ball bearing slightly smaller than the original tube ID you can roll it out the head side when you are done.

Let me know how you come out

 

Couple thoughts on this.

LS1 headers would work well if you can find a ball bearing to work. I'd go so far as to heat the pipe BEFORE putting the ball bearing through there the first time so it wouldnt fight you do much then run it through once more after it cooled down and contracted. That was a trick we used to do on TPI runners.... damn things were easy to ding and dent if you dropped one or hit it too hard with a ratchet.

The ball bearing thing works GREAT. Just make sure the ***** will roll out the other end. Depending on the fit, some headers are old enough deposits can make the ***** get stuck. And some have a slightly different shape at the flange end where the ball wont be able to come out. So try first on the engine side if you are pounding from the collector side. Which reminds me. The welding a rod to the ball thing would work if you didnt have that angle on the end of the pipe... and if you were going to cut the pipe, the turbulence from patching the hole to pound the ***** (sounds bad, doesnt it) would make me go to the nail welder idea. You would need enough ball bearings to push into the primary past the dent.

The nail welder idea works ok... but you wont get the dent out perfectly and that primary will get a little turbulent before going into the collector. Depends on how good a job the guy does. It might lose a couple HP but it's alot cheaper than a new set of headers. Besides, does anyone carry nails for a nail welder for welding to stainless?

Best thing...if you can find someone that can weld stainless pipe like that, DO IT. In my experience pipe is hard to weld since it's easy to burn through and stainless was harder and takes a special kind of rod. Gotta remember, how are they going to get to the back of the tube? If they can do it and do it well that would be the best bet, but if they arent 100% sure, I'd pass... an exhaust leak on the inside end of a primary tube will drive you CRAZY. On an expensive header like that I would send them back to LG if you wanted to do that.

Just some ideas to help you with your decision.

now lets quit talking about pipes and ***** lol