Oval Shaped Stock Driver's side Header

[MCH86GN]

I have an oval shaped driver's side header outlet. I have a new two piece TA crossover pipe on its way. Can/should I try and have the header heated and rounded or should I install mark uninstall the crossover pipe and header and heat the crossover pipe to conform to the header?
Or am I SOL?

I searched the entire forum and didn't really find an answer.

 

[Tom87GNX]

I have an oval shaped driver's side header outlet. I have a new two piece TA crossover pipe on its way. Can/should I try and have the header heated and rounded or should I install mark uninstall the crossover pipe and header and heat the crossover pipe to conform to the header?
Or am I SOL?

I searched the entire forum and didn't really find an answer.

Do you have a pic of the outlet?


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[MCH86GN]

Do you have a pic of the outlet?


Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

Here are a couple taken with my phone.

 

[MCH86GN]

Don't know how I uploaded so many pictures. Most are the same.

 

[Tom87GNX]

I would definitely try to fix the header, why chance ruining a new crossover? I think carefully heating with torch you could massage it back into shape (off the car of course).


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[Heisenberg]

From over tightening the flange - they do that.

Heat and a tail pipe expander - but not to expand - just to massage back to round.
20-30 bucks for the tool.
Or a muffler shop.

Indeed - like Tom said - header off.
Easier said than done - I know.

I suppose if you were really really good, and really really careful, you could do it from "down under"

 

[MCH86GN]

From over tightening the flange - they do that.

Heat and a tail pipe expander - but not to expand - just to massage back to round.
20-30 bucks for the tool.
Or a muffler shop.

Indeed - like Tom said - header off.
Easier said than done - I know.

I suppose if you were really really good, and really really careful, you could do it from "down under"

Header is off, setting in my tool room. Where would you get the tool from? I guess I could search online.

 

[Heisenberg]

Header is off, setting in my tool room. Where would you get the tool from? I guess I could search online.

Horrible Freight sells them.
You could try asking a muffler shop if they have a hand tool.
Wouldn't use a hydraulic mandrel though

 

[MCH86GN]

Horrible Freight sells them.
You could try asking a muffler shop if they have a hand tool.
Wouldn't use a hydraulic mandrel though

I checked Habor Freight and they sale tail pipe expanders for $15 to $16. However, I have never used one and from the looks of the tool I'm not sure how I would use it to accomplish what I need. Time to watch a few youtube videos and see how people use these things.

 

[MCH86GN]

Horrible Freight sells them.
You could try asking a muffler shop if they have a hand tool.
Wouldn't use a hydraulic mandrel though

They are pretty simple to use, if you are just expanding a pipe. It might be a little more difficult to use it to accomplish my task.

 

[S10xGN]

Those things don't work for crap on thinwall tubing let alone something that heavy. Take it to a muffler shop and have them use their hydraulic swedger on it. May have to heat it so it will keep it's shape...

 

[MCH86GN]

Those things don't work for crap on thinwall tubing let alone something that heavy. Take it to a muffler shop and have them use their hydraulic swedger on it. May have to heat it so it will keep it's shape...

I'll find an exhaust shop to do it. I may have tools here at my work to do it. Sometimes when we put our prototype transfer case on a vehicle, the mechanics have to make custom exhaust pipes.

 

[earlbrown]

It looks like that flange needs to get stuck in a press and flattened back out. If the ears are curled in, that should take out most of the ovality.

 

[MCH86GN]

It looks like that flange needs to get stuck in a press and flattened back out. If the ears are curled in, that should take out most of the ovality.

The flange is flat, I took it to a place S&K Exhaust and the owner took it back and put it on a hydraulic pipe expander. The owner just tapped it and expanded it a little bit and it is now in back in round. Best part, it was free.