1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

RB Header Dent: Should I Bother Fixing This?

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Old 07-30-10, 03:00 PM
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RB Header Dent: Should I Bother Fixing This?

I picked up a nice used RB Header a week or so ago for Gus, and noticed that it has a very small dent on the collector. It is about the size of a dime. I have attached pictures. Will this dent have any negative impact on the performance of the 12A? I'm very picky, and having that dent in there is driving me nuts. I thought about trying to pop the dent out, but I can't really think of a way to get it out of there. Weld a bolt to the outside and pull it out with a slide hammer? fill it with water and freeze it?

Please weigh in. Thanks fellas.

Jamie
Attached Thumbnails RB Header Dent: Should I Bother Fixing This?-dscn0617.jpg   RB Header Dent: Should I Bother Fixing This?-dscn0618.jpg   RB Header Dent: Should I Bother Fixing This?-dscn0620.jpg   RB Header Dent: Should I Bother Fixing This?-dscn0621.jpg  
Old 07-30-10, 04:56 PM
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GET OFF MY LAWN

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Looks like something that was done for hardware tightening issues. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
Old 07-30-10, 04:57 PM
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Wouldn't touch it. ^ Looks like bolt clearance.
Old 07-30-10, 05:28 PM
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Ahh. I didn't even think of that. I forgot that it's kind of tricky to get those bolts in, especially if you are using bolts that are too long. If it were me I think I would try putting the bolt in from the other side of the flange before I started denting in the header, but whatever. My original hope was that I could pop it out of there, but I don't really see that happening too easily. When you consider that these things are 0.125 wall tubing it's going to take something serious to get it out of there....
Old 07-30-10, 05:52 PM
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Dude you're totally going to lose .00000000000001 HP with that dent!

Its fine, looks like it was done for clearance issues, shouldn't affect things all that much. Though I would have taken something akin to studs and pressed them into the flange, so you don't have to worry about those type of issues. Least that's what I did with my collector...
Old 07-30-10, 07:50 PM
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I wouldn't worry about it. But, if you want to remove the dent, heat it up red hot and pry from the inside.
Old 07-30-10, 08:36 PM
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Thansk Scott I will give that a try. Do I need an oxy-acetylene torch to heat it, or could I just use one of those little hand held tanks they sell at autozone?

Jamie
Old 07-30-10, 08:41 PM
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Ive heard many people fill ATV/dirt bike pipes with water and freeze it to get the dents out. It SHOULD work on this header also.
Old 07-31-10, 01:59 AM
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That is actually normal, done for clearance purposes as dude above me said. Seen it on a buddy's collected RB header. You should leave it alone.
Old 07-31-10, 05:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Glazedham42
Thansk Scott I will give that a try. Do I need an oxy-acetylene torch to heat it, or could I just use one of those little hand held tanks they sell at autozone?

Jamie
Oxy-acetylene, mapp gas or straight acetylene should do it. Propane will take quite a bit of time to get cherry red.
Old 07-31-10, 07:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeff20B
That is actually normal, done for clearance purposes as dude above me said. Seen it on a buddy's collected RB header. You should leave it alone.
So Racing Beat puts the dent in there when they make the header? Guess I'll leave it as is.
Old 07-31-10, 01:11 PM
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As far as I know. You could call them up on Monday, of course.
Old 08-01-10, 01:57 AM
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There was no dent in the 2, or 3 collected RB headers I have had.
Looks like one of the previous owners did that.
It would bother me, as little things like that do. Funny, because my engine is filthy.
Trochoid, or should I say, trochoid, had the best method to fix it.
Old 08-01-10, 11:40 AM
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You may find on some collected headers, the reason for denting in is to allow the stud from the presilencer a place to go.
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