FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

you wouldn't believe what I just did to my Jack Myers headers, broke a stud trying to remove it, broke easyout trying to remove broken stud, broke manifold trying to remove broken easyout. Does anybody know someone capable of repairing headers,thanks Gary C

What half do you need ?????......FC427.......

The half that I broke is the front half, do anybody repair these?

I believe cast is quite difficult to repair satisfactorily.The cast needs to be heated then welded in a special fashion then cooled correctly.This is only what I have been told and I am no expert.Jamie.

Thanks Jamie, the headers are a recent purchase which I waited a long time for, they needed new studs so I thought while waiting for my engine mounts I would have them ready to fit. I realise it would be a specialist type repair and are willing to send anywhere. If any body has someone in mind please let me know...Been ball'n my eyes out for 2 hours and it wont stop.

Cast can be very difficult to repair as Jamie has mentioned pre heating to the correct temp welding with Cast Craft electrodes bringing down temp slowly only to have it crack time after time there are a lot of variables with cast iron age ,properties. impurities.etc ...but it doe's braze OK with Tobin bronze and would be better to get it fernace brazed ......Have half a set at dads not sure which half  ??? ??? ???.........FC427.....

I believe you can use a spray on cast.
The torch is like an oxy cutting torch but with a pot on the top into which you put a powder. The job is heated up with the oxy and when hot, the trigger is pressed on the torch and the powder is sprayed onto the prepaired parts joining them. When finished the part is put into lime to slow the cooling and stop cracking. We had one at an engineering shop I once worked at. A good welding shop would have one. Made by cigweld.
Graham

Thanks spanner Im sending it to Perth, my son lives there and will shop it around. No one in Broome wanted to know about it.

Gary,

Definately repairable.

I cracked my cast headers - the front port.  A mate bronze braized them for me.  Apparently he had some trouble with carbon causing some issues, but they cam up really well.

He tried to heat it up with the TIG, then TIG it but got a much better result with the bronze.

He is not a welder (he is a mechanical engineer), and only welds for his own odd jobs so someone with a lot of experience (and a brain) shouldnt have any problems.

Dave

Dave, I flew down to Perth and took the offending headers with me and after 4hrs of trying to find someone able to repair the headers I finally found someone who would actually commit to repairing cast iron. When he actually saw the headers he reckoned "yeah piece of piss, do it with me eyes closed"! Hope so, picking them up Tuesday morning before on the way home. I will post a pic of the repair and cost if anybody is interested (especially W.A) Seems like not many will repair cast and put their name to it.
Gary C

Many years ago we repaired cast iron manifolds by grinding the edges of the break to a V , bolting the manifold to a flat piece of timber (not steel as it will warp with heat) heating the manifold with an oxy torch until warm to hot (not red hot)  welding with a stainless steel electrode with an arc welder and let cool down without coolant. It was a common occurance with f**d windsor motors

regards
Weddo

Has anyone ever looked into getting a set cast up for them by a foundry I realise it might not be something that they will do but worth a try and if there are a few sets ordered it might be viable. Just a thought
Jason

Aussie speed make them already .......FC427.......

Ok I didn't know that are the jack myers ones better or just harder to find.

Hi All

Jack Myers headers are period, just like Lanspeed, Speco and some others, Aussie Speed are recently produced Repo's. The only thing I do not like is that thier name is cast in to thier various accessories. http://www.aussiespeed.com/ ($2)

If you want authentic period accessories you need to pay the dollars, all I want now is Lanspeed headers to finish off under my bonnet.

you can always grind off the Aussie Speed "markings" and blast it to get the texture back - easy fixed!  ;) :D

I have picked up my headers they have been repaired by High Velocity Technologies  in Perth (with guarantee) 300 bucks.
(http://www.postimage.org/Ts1Mmx1S.jpg) ($2)
The repair looks good, but only time will tell. thanks.Gary C

Would fitting a short piece of flexible exhaust reduce stress on the manifolds and help to make it last longer as I have been looking up those old headers and they are bloody hard to find so doing whatever it takes to extend thier life could be a good investment.
cheers jason

It depends on your pipes - poorly made pipes which don't fit the headers correctly put pressure on the headers and help cracks appear. Well made pipes will not stress the headers.
If you have any doubts about how well the pipes line up then I would think it's a good idea.

Ken

I would be more than happy to have someone in Broome just extend the exhaust to the rear of the vehicle in any shape or form. Thanks for all the input. Gary C