Cracked header

[cougar9150]

I found my exhaust leak on the passenger side header, its not the gasket like I thought. The rear tube is cracked right near the header flange about an 1.5" long.

Can this be welded and would it be worth it? I feel a new set of headers will be needed soon.

[FastMerc]

I found my exhaust leak on the passenger side header, its not the gasket like I thought. The rear tube is cracked right near the header flange about an 1.5" long.

Can this be welded and would it be worth it? I feel a new set of headers will be needed soon.
Whos headers are they and how old are they.

[offroadkarter]

yes you could weld either a patch over the crack or maybe the crack itself if its not to big...


Im guessing thats a stainless works header?

[cougar9150]

The are Kooks and I'm not sure of age, maybe 3-5 years old. They have been on the car since the original owner and I am number 3 starting a couple months ago. Car has a little over 60k now.

[FordNut]

It can be welded, find somebody really good with a TIG.

[ImpalaSlayer]

The are Kooks and I'm not sure of age, maybe 3-5 years old. They have been on the car since the original owner and I am number 3 starting a couple months ago. Car has a little over 60k now.

no reason for a new header, pull it off and have it welded. shouldnt cost much

[Black_Noise]

nope.... its junk now..... pull both of em off and ship them to me.

[Krytin]

It can be welded, find somebody really good with a TIG.
+1 - this is the only way to go!

[scruff]

thats pretty crappy only 5yrs old and in need of a weld already i wonder where kooks is buying there metal from China?

[cougar9150]

It can be welded, find somebody really good with a TIG.

Good news. I can get it done at a buddies shop. Also found a local coating place in Tampa, thinking of going satin black.

[O's Fan Rich]

Good news. I can get it done at a buddies shop. Also found a local coating place in Tampa, thinking of going satin black.

There you go.

:banana:

[fastblackmerc]

Good news. I can get it done at a buddies shop. Also found a local coating place in Tampa, thinking of going satin black.

Will the satin black hold up under the heat that will be generated? I'd get them Jet-Hot coated.

[O's Fan Rich]

Will the satin black hold up under the heat that will be generated? I'd get them Jet-Hot coated.

Jet Hot makes some nice colored coatings....

Mine are black.

[vkirkend]

nope.... its junk now..... pull both of em off and ship them to me.


beat me too it.....:(

[cougar9150]

It's not a satin black really, the color I am looking at is the Turbo black ceramic coating. It still has a metal sheen to it but isn't silver/chrome.

I have a few quote requests out there for stripping and recoating of the headers. See what these guys come back with. If I wanted to strip the exterior of the headers myself does anyone know of the right type of blasting media to use in order to remove the ceramic without damaging the headers. I would guess some kind of glass bead type but do not have experience with this. I have a full blaster setup without a cabinet that a friend gave me when he moved a couple years ago.

[jdenning002]

I have had my drivers side kooks header welded twice, I am still having issues. Less than 3 years onld. :(

[fastblackmerc]

It's not a satin black really, the color I am looking at is the Turbo black ceramic coating. It still has a metal sheen to it but isn't silver/chrome.

I have a few quote requests out there for stripping and recoating of the headers. See what these guys come back with. If I wanted to strip the exterior of the headers myself does anyone know of the right type of blasting media to use in order to remove the ceramic without damaging the headers. I would guess some kind of glass bead type but do not have experience with this. I have a full blaster setup without a cabinet that a friend gave me when he moved a couple years ago.

Glass beads might not remove the coating that is there. Maybe walnut shells? Don't think you'll damage the headers.... maybe just rough up the finish a little.

[ImpalaSlayer]

are they painted or ceramic coated? if there painted, pretty much any media would take it off. if ceramic coated, im not sure what you would use to remove it.

[cougar9150]

Gotten a few quotes back already prices are not that bad. Waiting on a few more before I decide. Looks like it will cost about $300 all together. This is not including the 12 pack I'll buy the guy at the machine who fixes the welds.

They have ceramic coating on them currently. I was thinking about what has to be removed for the welds to be done. I going to see if the shop I send it to can fix them crack at the same time. If there are any pin holes or other cracks visible after the headers are prepped for coating then they would fix those so I assume they can fix a cracked tube.

[cougar9150]

ProCoat in Tampa will be doing the repair and coating for me. Not to bad estimated price is $210 + $20 for stripping the headers. They will quote me for the repair work once their welder takes a look at it. Going to go with the Turbo X coating as this is made for high-temp turbo and SC combos.

I'm pulling the Sunday or Monday because I am doing a side job replacing a rack and pinion on on Saturday and need the garage space to do the work. Going to drop them off on Tuesday and will hopefully have them back within a week or so.

[Paul T. Casey]

thats pretty crappy only 5yrs old and in need of a weld already i wonder where kooks is buying there metal from China?

Never owned Hookers, Heddman, or any of a myriad of other headers I guess.