Header Warping Problem

[JD Dave]

I have 2 sets of RDL headers, 1 is a normal set about 2 years old and the other is a brand new set of Extreme Flow's. Both sets both seem to bow out on the ends. The pics are of the Extreme's and they only have 1 pull on them. Not sure if this is common or not so I thought I'd ask. I havn't had any problems with blowing the header gaskets but I have had some problems with cracking on the 2 year old set. Would cast ones stand up better and not warp? Should I get these machined and will they still fit fine with my up pipes after they're are machined. My heads seem perfectly straight.

 

[bullfrogjohnson]

I would call Rick. Those flanges are thick enough that they should not warp. The second picture is bad enough that you would have to machine quite a bit to get them flat.

 

[JD Dave]

I would call Rick. Those flanges are thick enough that they should not warp. The second picture is bad enough that you would have to machine quite a bit to get them flat.

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. Both pics are of the headers that only have 1 pull on them. I'm going to send them back to Rick but just wondered if anyone else had these problems.

 

[DuramaxPowered]

Did the bolts loosen up?.......Most header problems that I've had were from loose bolts. I put some Stage 8 locking header bolts in and haven't had a problem. I know this dosen't really help unless you decide to go back with headers.

 

[JD Dave]

Did the bolts loosen up?.......Most header problems that I've had were from loose bolts. I put some Stage 8 locking header bolts in and haven't had a problem. I know this dosen't really help unless you decide to go back with headers.

The pics are from a set of headers that i had on the truck for 1 pull down the track and that's it. It was trailered to and from the pull. They were all torqued when I put them on and all seemed tight when I took them back off. The thing that puzzles me is both sets seem warped the same. It could be something I'm doing wrong that's why I'm asking. You'd think I would have blown a header gasket with the way they look.

 

[TrentNell]

Mine didnt get a ton of use this year but they saw plenty of of heat and so far so good , the set i ran last year held up decent too , a few small cracks developed by end of season , Rick fixed the newer sets when he started using the 11 gauge stainless tubing instead of the 16 gauge . I would def give Rick a shout , even aside from getting them fixed he has been around the racing wrld for a long time and might have some idea's .

 

[JD Dave]

Mine didnt get a ton of use this year but they saw plenty of of heat and so far so good , the set i ran last year held up decent too , a few small cracks developed by end of season , Rick fixed the newer sets when he started using the 11 gauge stainless tubing instead of the 16 gauge . I would def give Rick a shout , even aside from getting them fixed he has been around the racing wrld for a long time and might have some idea's .

Thanks Trent. My truck does see a lot of heat and the drive pressure is probably more then it should be. I didn't start this thread to bash RDL, it was more just to see what was happening to others. The old set I could care less about as they've seen a lot of punishment. I wasn't going to post this but I wanted to get other opinions.

 

[TheBac]

Rick should be able take care of you, so call him and explain your concerns. In my experience, he has always stood behind his work.

 

[TrentNell]

Thanks Trent. My truck does see a lot of heat and the drive pressure is probably more then it should be. I didn't start this thread to bash RDL, it was more just to see what was happening to others. The old set I could care less about as they've seen a lot of punishment. I wasn't going to post this but I wanted to get other opinions.

I never took it as a bashing Dave , the Reason I suggested Rick is mostly because I have no clue why they would warp and though he might offer the most insight , Also I am sure he can probably make a thicker flange for your application if need be.

 

[tinman22]

i'm sure rick will fix you up I had a problem with the tow flow headers and he took care of it. have since upgraded to the cast manifolds

 

[JD Dave]

I never took it as anyone thinking I'm bashing just wanted everyone to know it was more of a concern. Haven't heard one bad thing about Rick and that's why I'm buying his product. If no one else is really having these problems I'm thinking it must be something I'm doing or maybe the tuning is a little much so I'll blame Mark. Wish every part I buy from this truck wasn't so dang far away.

 

[Rhall]

They will warp, but they straighten up when you bolt them back up. Put them on and dont worry unless they leak.

 

[Rhall]

By looking at your pics yours look much straighter than sets ive had.

 

[JD Dave]

They will warp, but they straighten up when you bolt them back up. Put them on and dont worry unless they leak.

And this was the answer I was looking for.

 

[ocwelder]

Those flanges are thick enough that the mating surface should be able to be cleaned up without any issues. I don’t know what was done to these before you got them, they may not have been stress relieved… you took care of that now but that might also depend on the thickness of the tube… 16ga is too thin in my opinion, 11ga stainless is the way to go, and 321 stainless is by far better for exhaust then 304.
Also warpage can occur when one area of the steel gets a lot hotter in one area than another along the same piece or in this case header. Did you check to see if the flanges were straight before hand, I only ask because I am redoing a super comp header that has never been bolted on.

 

[JD Dave]

Those flanges are thick enough that the mating surface should be able to be cleaned up without any issues. I don’t know what was done to these before you got them, they may not have been stress relieved… you took care of that now but that might also depend on the thickness of the tube… 16ga is too thin in my opinion, 11ga stainless is the way to go, and 321 stainless is by far better for exhaust then 304.
Also warpage can occur when one area of the steel gets a lot hotter in one area than another along the same piece or in this case header. Did you check to see if the flanges were straight before hand, I only ask because I am redoing a super comp header that has never been bolted on.

No I never checked if they were straight before hand but I feel pretty confident they were. I'm just going to bolt them back up and worry about them if they leak.

 

[ocwelder]

Honestly I think you'll be fine.

 

[Rhall]

IMO your better off bolting them back up than getting the flanges machined straight. When you bolt them back up, it takes everything to how they were originally, when you machine the flanges, the pipe side of the flange stays warped and it doesnt straighten everything up.

 

[Rhall]

Im not sure what size he calls what, but i had a set of the 2s, and just picked up a new set of 2 1/4s. Im interested to see how it affects my spool up, but like always they look great, his quality is second to none, my old ones took a beating for 2 years, and would be bright red every pull (2-3 pulls a week), and they are still holding up great. They will be going on another 2.6 truck being built now.

 

[JD Dave]

I sent my headers back to Rick along with a blown up pipe a few weeks ago and to my surprise they showed back up today machined and recoated. Talk about fast service. I tried calling him yesterday to see if he had started on them and what I owed him but he wasn't in. Profab looked after me better then I could have ever expected.