Topic: Cb550 header repair

[fr3ya]

I need some advice on pulling debts out of my exhaust.  Is this even salvageable?  If so what type of shop would I take it to?

[sinister902]

I've seen people plug off the ends and use a pressure washer to forcefeed water in until the dents push out.

[fr3ya]

Interesting.  What would be the best (cheapest) way to plug the pipes?

[calj737]

Those dents won't hurt anything performance wise. Attempting to "pull" them out may cause a split in the tubing due to the metal being stretched and creased.

[flybox1]

+1 to calj.
Leave them.  Its like a battle scar 
They are on the leading edge, and wont really be noticeable at 10' 
You can de-rust and then *cough* wrap them, or wait for a member here to list a header for sale.

[fr3ya]

Sounds good.  They came off because I am rebuilding the top end.  Until then I hadn't ever noticed the dents before.  Was worried that the dent would impact performance but sounds like that isn't the case so I'll get rid of the rust, apply some high temp paint and put them back on.

Thanks guys!

[RAFster122s]

Good wipe down with white cotton cloth soaked in acetone a few times after you have removed the rust is a good idea.  Make sure your cloth doesn't have fabric softener or perfumes which might transfer to your pipes causing problems.
I once used a blue paper shop towel on a panel I was spraybombing.  The paint kept fish eyeing and crazing.  Strip and wipe down several more times before realizing on second spray job the crackled that I had stupidly contaminated the metal & primer, etc by the blue heavy shop paper towel.

[fr3ya]

Perfumed shop towels!  Sheesh, I must be going to the wrong auto supply shop. 

[Stev-o]

...apply some high temp paint and put them back on.

A ceramic coating would be so much better, your local powder coat guy may be able to do it.

Paint on exhaust is so temporary, you will most likely have to do it every year to keep it looking good [been there]. But you may not care?

[fr3ya]

Yeah, don't care enough to have them coated.  I think I'd rather just ride them until I have a better excuse (I.e. A hole) to buy some new SS headers.


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[calj737]

From the looks of those, you're well on your way (for a hole to appear and cause the purchase of a new SS system).