Question re. a dent in exhaust header.

[John Schmidt]

I've seen many sets of exhaust pipes for the Valk that are basically in good shape internally, but have a dent or two that's visible in the chrome headers. I've often wondered if anyone had ever cut a hole in the pipe opposite of the dent and pounded it out. Then weld the piece back in place that you cut out. It would be on the inside so not visible and the dent would be somewhat better in appearance. I realize there is a double wall to contend with but wondering how far down the header that goes. I have an unmolested set of exhaust but one header pipe on the right side has a pretty good dent in it. Since I'm debating about having a local company "ceramaKrome" them I'm wondering if it might be worth experimenting with it first. That process leaves it as shiney as actual chrome for much less cost.

Just tossing around a couple ideas that probably won't work but just thought I'd put the question out there.

[f6john]

    Wouldn't the internal pipe be in the way? I'm wondering what gauge the outer pipe is. If you were going to recoat, I would experiment with using a stud welder to attempt to pull the dent out. Without being able to get to the back side it will be difficult to get good finished results.

[John Schmidt]

    Wouldn't the internal pipe be in the way? I'm wondering what gauge the outer pipe is. If you were going to recoat, I would experiment with using a stud welder to attempt to pull the dent out. Without being able to get to the back side it will be difficult to get good finished results.

John, this dent is at the bottom where the pipe becomes horizontal and is accessible from the backside. It appears to be pretty stout metal so don't know if a stud welder would work. Worth a try I guess.

[R J]

Mr. John S. - I know for a fact that a welded stub on it will NOT pull the dent.


I had a fairly good sized dent in my right header and we tried to pull that dent.  After about 6 tries, I said screw it and sent the headers off to be coated.  We cut the muffler off.  We left a 5" stub on the header so as to apply a muffler.   O'Rielly has a 4" strap type chrome clamp.  It worked gret and I even have the same setup on my homemade exhaust system on the Chevy Trike.   I'll try to pop a picture in here of it.




The little darker piece is the chrome strap.  It just looks that way in pictures for some reason.   In real life it is Chrome up next to the ceramic coated pieces

The ceramic coating held up till I went with my Viking headers.

I ended up giving the setup to a lad in Michigan and never heard from him again so I can't tell ya how they are doing if even still in service.