ATR Header Surgery (pics)

[jjorgensen52]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

the guys at the weld shop said argon would make the welds dirtier, with more black grit. My welder says trimix in it for stainless, so thats what i went with. When i asked at the shop, they just said "yea" as if thats the way to go.

Huh, fancy that. Maybe mine is just old :rotf: ... I do know that using 100% argon on mild steel instead of argon 75% / co2 25% hasn't caused me any trouble

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

My miller is less than 2 yrs old. What welder do you have?

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

good, I don't give a shit how the welds look seeing as it is going to go on the exhaust of the bmw.. so i'll just use what I have =)

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

My miller is less than 2 yrs old. What welder do you have?

What I have is now called a Lincoln 3200 I think... the model is Weldpak 100. It is probably 8 years old

 

[critical]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

Tri mix is the way to for mig 'ing stainless.
straight co2 is for mild steel.
You can tape off all the openings and feed a small tube inside to fill w/ argon or trimix to prevent the welds from crystalizing.
Also you can use a "solar flux" that mixes w/ methanol to form a paste.
this brushes on the back side of the weld seam, and does the same thing.

 

[critical]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

You will need a flow meter to back gas however.

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

well goty v-band clamps. :tup: They'll mate up just fine. I'll got weld this one together....if i don't f it up, i'll take pics and show how it looks welded :lol:

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

well it came out ok....not great. Add these to my grind down and clean up list. :lol:

the flange and pipes are slightly diff sizes so i had to gap fill the entire thing, instead of them just snuggly fitting together like the flanges are designed to do. Oh well, thats what i get for being an outcast.

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

Well...i just picked up my manifolds from the machine shop. They were thrilled once they realized they were stainless steel. Guess they took a lot of effort to get straightened before they even sanded/resurfaced. But oh well...$96 later they're flat :tup:

now i'll bolt them up after work and see about finishing the initial welding of them. I also ordered some copper gaskets for them...they should come in next week.

 

[phoonerorlater]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

Don't torque the headers down too tight on the gaskets. We all know how you have a problem with putting too much pressure on gaskets.

 

[10secTy]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

I have two sets of SCE coppers I will sell you for $20.00 plus shipping if you want.

Nolan

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

thanks nolan, but i already ordered a set from my local shop. I don't want to hassle them,so i'll stick w/ that set. If i need more sets i'll get a hold of you.

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

Got the drivers side assembled now. I started cleaning up the welds a bit, i'll have more pics later of the smoothing process. It's definitely a loud a and laborious task. I can't do too much too often with it since i live in a quiet community and my neighbors already hate me anyway. :lol:

As predicted the xover no longer interferes with the water pump outlet...so thats good. It's kinda fun to see these actually take some shape after sitting on the floor of the ty for over a year. :tup:

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

hopefully the v-band clamp won't interfere with the lower joint on the steering shaft

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

hopefully the v-band clamp won't interfere with the lower joint on the steering shaft

the steering shaft is on the fender side of the motor mount...this clamp is on the motor side of the motor mount...they will clear just fine. The only thing this would be in the way of is the Alt/Power steering bracket - which i'm not using.

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

well I took myclone's advice and bought the most expensive donut ever. Myclone, you owe me $100. :lol:

don't know if i'll have time this weekend to finish these before the new year or not....probably not.

 

[myclone]

Re: ATR Header Surgery (pics)

Most expensive donut I bought was the two I did in front of a city cop that I didnt see sitting at the edge of the parking lot :roll: .