I just wanted to share a method of removing dents from tpi runners. This works great and also works for other dented items such as exhaust pipe or headers ect.


Its simple.

Fill them with water
set them so the water is pooled in the dented area.
stick them in the freezer.
The dents will pop out a little more each time.
you might have to repeat 2 or 3 times.

I have used this method on several other parts and it works great, so far i have never split or damaged anything by doing this.

If you have dented runners give it a try you will see.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

For TPI runners I like the steel ball that I saw people selling. It is the same size as the ID of the runners so force them in and it fixes the dent. I have never tryed it.

 

The power of freezing water is incredible, isn't it?

That's really invetive! Never would have thought of trying that.

 

It really is! And free too.

 

One thing I can say about the "ball" method is that if you have a pretty bad dent and when you force them through it create "ribs" on the runners due to the pressure of them pushing against the runners while trying to force them through. I actually thought of trying to use water and freezing them first, but I had a guy on another site offer to use the ball method for a good price.

 

When you say "pool", what exactly do you mean by this? correct me if I am wrong, but if you fill the runner completely with water then how is is supposed to pool anywhere, due to the fact that the water is now completely filling the volume of the runner 100%. I need more information my friend. I have a few extra runners I could try this on, so This may kick a$$ if done correctly.

Cheers!!

 

Basically, you want the runners tilted, so the the dented area is completely filled with water,(inside the runner....) then, when it expands as it freezes..... isn't water wonderful.... it will pull a little of the dent. to repeat the process, just allow the water to thaw, maybe add a little more, and freeze it again. Time consuming, but, eminently practical.

 

Yep, hes correct. I dont ever plug both ends just one, then set it so the water doesnt run out. This way it wont split the runner or tube. I use this method on my dirtbike exhaust's too. Works great. I pulled a golf ball sized dent out in 2 freezes. you could literaly take a crushed runner and get it back into shape by freezing it enough times.

 

It's more in the positioning of the runner in the freezer once it is filled with water. Very similar to when you leave a can of sealed soda can(s) in the freezer for too long, see pic....

 

I understand the expansion when going from water to ice.

But I'm not understanding how you contain it to the damaged area? I am thinking that it would expand to the least resistant area.

Could someone draw a diagram for me.

 

The dented material has "somewhere to go" It applies pressure to the whole tube, but the the rest of the tube is in its normal shape so the water just elongates in the tube, meanwhile the pressure applied to the dent removes it.

 

But as it gets larger/freezes. Wont it expand into the area of least resistance? This being the open ended runner?

 

yes, but not completely. as the water freezes it will want to apply pressure in all directions, which is why it can possibly take multiple freezes.

 

Yea, thats correct. You can cap both the ends off, but thats risky and I don't advise. The force of freezing water if contained is enough to split solid steel. Chances are it would push the caps out, but i dont advise trying both. Just cap one end.

 

So, how do you prevent the water from running out?

 

Hey 92rs85berlinetta, I can see how your method works on TPI runners -
but how do you get a pair of Hooker 2055's ( or one header for that matter )
or a dented Y-pipe full of water into a freezer ?

" The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing...
If you can fake that,you've got it made. "
Groucho Marx

 

It was a typo. I meant to say plug one end NOT both. Then just position it so the other end faces upright.

My parents have a chest freezer at their house. I just toss it in there. Just fill the dented primary and freeze. Or if you live in the north, just leave it outside lol.

I get creative when plugging ends. I have used everything from bbq sauce caps to screw on Gatorade bottle tops. I like exhaust plugs for atv's and dirt bikes best, they are tapered so you can really jam them in.

 

Then how does an icecube tray not split?

 

Its not contained and its flexible.

 

exactly on the contained part. If I only have 3 sides of the runner filled, then it will expand into the area not contained.

Id love to do this as my runner has a large dent. But I'm just not seeing how this is done.

 

exactly, It has to exert pressure in all directions in order to go to the least resistance. Water will expand putting pressure on the dent and push it out. Give it a try, you will be impressed. might take 2 or 3 times. The most i have ever done it was 3 times.

 

Also, an icecube tray has tapered sides, not square. So, as the water expands, the entire cube is forced up further in the tray. You will not see any icecube tray that is not curved on at least one surface.

Don't think this works? Need some Proof? Take a glass of water, throw it in the freezer. Wait till you here the "POP" of breaking glass. Open freezer, notice how the glass is now blown into chunks. Hhhhmmmmm....... It has an open top alright, but the expanding water still blows it apart.

 

Hell, if my 'Maro weren't my daily driver, I'd do this now.

 

Actually, after I got offline last night. I took an empty coke can. Put some dents in different spots, filled with water and sat it in the freezer. None of the dents this am seemed to be smaller. The water did expand up as I filled it to the bottom of the lid thing that hangs down in the can. This morning it was almost to the top of the opening.

 

If you dont believe it, try it on a runner. It works, I have done it to many different things and its worked every time.

 

Hey guys heres some pics I dug up of this procedure. Before and after. Its not a runner, but a titanium pipe. you get the idea, check it out.




This is not my pipe, but I have another Titanium pipe I did this too as well.

 

I've tried this method about 15 time and can get it to phase any dents. Little or big. Any tips? I have just been duct taping the holes closed on one side and it holds the water in untill it freezes. I fill them completely up. I havent noticed any difference in 15 tries. Whats goin on. Has onlyone used this on their runners?

 

how long are u letting it freeze for? is the water pushing out both ends? try capping it off better with something a little harder than duct tape.

 

How cold is the freezer? some are at 20 F, chest type 0 f. Easy way to tell. Is the ice cream, really hard, hard, or kinda soft.

 

Im living in Michigan during the winter so i've used the freezer but I usually just fill it up and set it out the back door.

 

and it is how cold outside when you do this?

 

10-20

 

Still having problems. I have froze them about 15 times or more and still cant get a bunch of little dents out. I trust the theory but i cant figure out why it wont work for me. I've plugged one end with a rubber expansion plug and put them in a chest freezer cranked all the way up. I can tell the ice is comming out the other end but the dents are still there. WTF?

 

This method works on dented motorcycle fuel tanks too.

 

Damn, I have a full length side pipe header off an old T/A Id like to try this on but its huge and I dont have a freezer big enough. Why did'nt you post this a month ago when it was really cold here?

 

sweet I got one question how do so many people have dented runners.....what are you guys doing thats denting them?

 

The intake set I bought had dents in them, so it wasnt me.

I still havent taken mine off as I'm worried about other things on the car first.

 

Are they tiny dents? I noticed the tiny crinkle dents dont like to come out as easy. Maybee try plugging both ends.. at your own risk of course.

 

I know this is an old thread but I had trouble with freezing method not working until I figured another trick out, got a few pretty large/sharper dents out...

freeze the runner with water
heat dent with a torch to melt the water at the dent (dont melt all of it)
refill as needed
refreeze
repeat

This way you get more force directly on the dent when you re-freeze. I tried freezing and melting fully several times before I figured this way out.

 

Have pictures? This old thread is interesting.

 

Old time pioneers used to break granite blocks for buildings this way - drill holes in the rock - fill with water - come back a day later. Great idea.

 

Thats a good idea to isolate the dent, that makes the pressure of the expanding ice push only on the dent itself since the other ice wont let it expand anywhere else. It take a few freezes but it works good. The trick is to block the ends so that the water pushes on the dents and not out the ends. If it just pushes out both ends its pointless.

Thats a new term Iceolation ok... bad joke.

 

I have had success with this as well. Warm water will actually freeze fast than cold but its true.

I plug one end usually by bolting something over it with a stopper. Fill it with warm water. And then put it in a towel so the metal of the runner isn't touching anything. The open end should start to freeze first and hydraulic pressure is constant.