I got my headers back from HPC here in Utah yesterday and noticed that one of the A.I.R. tubes coming off the #3 cylinder header primary tube is cracked at the base where it attaches to the header tube. I can't say they broke it beacause I had to bend them quite a bit to get my plug wire-loom to run properly. How much of an effect will this have as far as an exhaust leak is concerned?
__________________ 1984 Pontiac Trans AM
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Re: A.I.R. Tube cracked on #3 cylinder header Tube
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timothayyy
I assume it will leak, as to how much, just depends on how big an opening it is. I would just weld it shut so it wont leak.
I had the headeres Coated at HPC (sister company of Jet Hot) with their stearling silver coat so I don't know if I can weld them. I don't know what it would do to the coating. Could I just throw some JB weld over it or is there something else I can do?
Re: A.I.R. Tube cracked on #3 cylinder header Tube
I was actually going to suggest the JB Weld, or Loctite makes a putty epoxy (Assuming the crack isn't huge and gaping, I think this will work). Just get a little bit and put it over the covering. Let it cure before driving it around though.
Re: A.I.R. Tube cracked on #3 cylinder header Tube
Quote:
Originally Posted by five7kid
If it's near to the primary tube, it'll get too hot for regular epoxies.
It's about a quarter inch, I figure about half the total diameter of the A.I.R. tube right above the weld on the primary. You think that even coated it's going to be too hot for an epoxy? What about using something like a high temp RTV? i know it's kind of ghetto but I don't know what else to do.
Re: A.I.R. Tube cracked on #3 cylinder header Tube
Quote:
Originally Posted by five7kid
If it's near to the primary tube, it'll get too hot for regular epoxies.
Regular epoxy, yes it will just melt or crack away. But have you tried out the putty stuff? It's the kind that comes as a stick, and you have to cut off a certain length and press it together and mix it. I've heard claims of it working to fix exhaust tubes, but have personally never tried it. I'm curious as to if it would work out nicely.
Re: A.I.R. Tube cracked on #3 cylinder header Tube
Are you welding these onto your headers? Or are you using the stock headers with the screw on? Because if its really near the end maybe you can cut the end off?
Re: A.I.R. Tube cracked on #3 cylinder header Tube
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timothayyy
Are you welding these onto your headers? Or are you using the stock headers with the screw on? Because if its really near the end maybe you can cut the end off?
No, these are Hooker 2055 headers...shorty headers with the smog tubes on them. It's one of the smog tubes that has cracked right near where it welds to the primary pipe. The only problem is I didn't notice the crack on it until I got it back and now I'm looking for ways to see if I can fix it. I will eventualy probably have to buy new headers but I don't have another $800 just lying around to get a new coated set (mine were $450.00 plust 250.00 to get them coated). So I'm trying to find a way to fix these for the time being.
i just picked this up today @ the local speed shop (s-k speed) but haven't had a chance to use it. from what i've seen, this seems to be the best thing for the job. can't wait to see how it works. POR-15 makes great products, so i figure it's pretty good.
Stock LG4 motor, 2.5'' exhaust with Dynomax Super Converter and Thrush Glasspack, 36mm hollow front sway bar with wonder bar, 24mm rear sway bar, Energy Suspension endlinks and Guldstrand bushings, Edelbrock Elite 4222 air cleaner with K&N filter, Hella 200mm H4 conversion headlamps w/ Painless harness and Osram H4 Silverstar bulbs, Pilot PL-362W driving lights with Hella 100W H3 bulbs, Deka Intimidator 9A78DT AGM battery
i just picked this up today @ the local speed shop (s-k speed) but haven't had a chance to use it. from what i've seen, this seems to be the best thing for the job. can't wait to see how it works. POR-15 makes great products, so i figure it's pretty good.
Wow thanks. Now I just wonder if it will stick to this outer "sterling" coat that HPC put on. Worth a try either way I think. If it doesn't work, then cool. if it does, even better and we have a fix for people who have cracked coated headers.
Stock LG4 motor, 2.5'' exhaust with Dynomax Super Converter and Thrush Glasspack, 36mm hollow front sway bar with wonder bar, 24mm rear sway bar, Energy Suspension endlinks and Guldstrand bushings, Edelbrock Elite 4222 air cleaner with K&N filter, Hella 200mm H4 conversion headlamps w/ Painless harness and Osram H4 Silverstar bulbs, Pilot PL-362W driving lights with Hella 100W H3 bulbs, Deka Intimidator 9A78DT AGM battery
Re: A.I.R. Tube cracked on #3 cylinder header Tube
Quote:
Originally Posted by five7kid
Are you sure it's a crack in the tube itself?
yup, took it into the garage, turned the lights off and I can see light coming through it when I use a flashlight. It's not big, as I mentioned earlier, maybe 1/4" total but that's enough to be half way around the AIR tube.
Re: A.I.R. Tube cracked on #3 cylinder header Tube
Just an idea...
You ever thought about running an allen head set-screw from inside the header tube up into the AIR tube. It should stop most, if not all exhaust leak without you having to weld anything. The passage being plugged shouldn't hurt a thing.
I don't know what it would do to the coating. Could I just throw some JB weld over it or is there something else I can do?
