quote:Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
Ron. The point is stainless headers are really a nightmare to make. I have absolutely no problem welding ss plate with 304 stick electrodes BUT THAT AIN'T TUBE!
The secret to stainless headers is to find the right alloy. I was using 304, .049 wall. Very expensive tubing. Next to impossible to bend smoothly. 409 is used regularly today and bends really well in the normal Midas muffler tubing bender. But it also surface rusts.
Yes, 304 sure will work harden from the heat and crack.
Conclusion? Make the headers from aluminumized steel and cerma-coat them.
Doug,
Mandrel bent U and J bends are available in stainless for a number of sizes.I have seen them and the bends are very nice. They are pricey though.
I don't like using aluminized pipe because of the extra step of sanding off the coating at the joint to keep from contaminating the weld. It likes to stick to the tungsten and cause bubbling.
I have used them and they are cheap, just more work. My $.02