Is this normal? Header flange

Wuiquen · 02-13-2022, 10:24 PM

Man.. i hate being OCD .. so I got this set of AR LT headers used. I was inspecting everything today and as i was going over the header flange for the driver side, i found this tinny crack on the flange/header connection.

Is this normal? I have a picture without a light behind it (shinning from the flange) and then two pics while light. You can see the small crack to the left of that top outside weld. It is in the inside though.

Anyways, is this normal? No other port had this issue. Would the gasket prevent any issue/header leak? If not normal, what's the fix here? Get the flange and tube welded?

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Spaceme1117 · 02-14-2022, 05:18 AM

I would say that is not normal.

I have owned ARH in the past and honestly was not impressed considering how much they cost.

Yours should be re-welded and then ground flat or you will likely have an exhaust leak.

Disappointing that headers from any manufacturer are not fully welded on both sides.

ZLE dude · 02-14-2022, 07:24 AM

I'd be disappointed and would assume they'd leak, BUT, if those are used and not covered in soot right there they obviously weren't leaking. It would be 100% obvious if that spot had been leaking exhaust gasses.

BlaqWhole · 02-14-2022, 08:30 AM

That's why I buy Chinese, LOL!!

ALL header companies have some issues at one point or another. Just reach out to them and show them the issues and they will likely send replacements. And next time just do like the rest of us cheapos and buy TSP or SW.

Z OH 6 · 02-14-2022, 09:41 AM

There's no way ARH would have let that go out the door if it was an issue. I also agree with the above poster that if it were leaking, it would be very noticeable, there would be noticeable soot and a loud ticking noise. I suppose it possible the original owner could have cleaned up any soot, but I still come back to, ARH would have never let that go out the door if it were an issue.

Wuiquen · 02-14-2022, 01:47 PM

Thanks all. I do know about the soot if leaking. My corvette is actually having a leak exactly in the same location as this crack is. I have yet to take that header off for inspection.

Agree. when new, this probably was not there. The crack probably happened from use.

Will the gasket prevent this from leaking? I think life is telling me I am not meant to have headers lol

DangerZL1 · 02-14-2022, 05:44 PM

If ARH won’t warranty the header it would be an easy touch up weld for an exhaust shop. Good thing you caught this before installation.

SCCAForums · 02-14-2022, 10:16 PM

That is normal… mine were the same way, no issues.

Best regards,
Dave

02-13-2022, 10:24 PM	#1
Wuiquen Drives: 2018 Hot Red ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,616	Is this normal? Header flange Man.. i hate being OCD .. so I got this set of AR LT headers used. I was inspecting everything today and as i was going over the header flange for the driver side, i found this tinny crack on the flange/header connection. Is this normal? I have a picture without a light behind it (shinning from the flange) and then two pics while light. You can see the small crack to the left of that top outside weld. It is in the inside though. Anyways, is this normal? No other port had this issue. Would the gasket prevent any issue/header leak? If not normal, what's the fix here? Get the flange and tube welded? Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk __________________

02-14-2022, 07:24 AM	#3
ZLE dude Drives: '18 ZL1 1LE Join Date: May 2020 Location: KY Posts: 219	I'd be disappointed and would assume they'd leak, BUT, if those are used and not covered in soot right there they obviously weren't leaking. It would be 100% obvious if that spot had been leaking exhaust gasses. __________________ 2018 ZL1 1LE - Summit White, PDR, Rotofab CAI, 95mm TB, CSP 2" catless LT's, JMS Voltage Booster, AEM X-series WB, DSX flex fuel sensor, Banks Data Monster, Tuned by Ted Jannetty, 5% Tint, Blackvue DR900S-2CH, Diode Dynamics lighting, IGL Kenzo ceramic coating

02-14-2022, 01:47 PM	#6
Wuiquen Drives: 2018 Hot Red ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,616	Thanks all. I do know about the soot if leaking. My corvette is actually having a leak exactly in the same location as this crack is. I have yet to take that header off for inspection. Agree. when new, this probably was not there. The crack probably happened from use. Will the gasket prevent this from leaking? I think life is telling me I am not meant to have headers lol __________________

02-14-2022, 05:44 PM	#7
DangerZL1 Drives: 2023 Black ZL1 Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: FEMA Region 4 Posts: 2,936	If ARH won’t warranty the header it would be an easy touch up weld for an exhaust shop. Good thing you caught this before installation. Last edited by DangerZL1; 02-14-2022 at 06:32 PM.

02-14-2022, 10:16 PM	#8
SCCAForums Drives: Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: AZ Posts: 408	That is normal… mine were the same way, no issues. Best regards, Dave Attached Images __________________ 2022 SS 1LE - Vivid Orange - SCCA CAM-C & Optima Ultimate Street Car GT Katech, MSD, QA1, Hurst, Anderson Composites, ProParts USA Custom Suspension, Auto Addict USA, Forgeline Wheels, G-Loc Brakes, Nine Lives Racing, MTX Audio, Penske Rapid Repair, RacingBrake

02-14-2022, 05:18 AM	#2
Spaceme1117 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 Posts: 857	I would say that is not normal. I have owned ARH in the past and honestly was not impressed considering how much they cost. Yours should be re-welded and then ground flat or you will likely have an exhaust leak. Disappointing that headers from any manufacturer are not fully welded on both sides.

02-14-2022, 08:30 AM	#4
BlaqWhole Account Suspended Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 7,692	That's why I buy Chinese, LOL!! ALL header companies have some issues at one point or another. Just reach out to them and show them the issues and they will likely send replacements. And next time just do like the rest of us cheapos and buy TSP or SW.

02-14-2022, 09:41 AM	#5
Z OH 6 Drives: 2024 CT5-V Blackwing Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: GA Posts: 3,554	There's no way ARH would have let that go out the door if it was an issue. I also agree with the above poster that if it were leaking, it would be very noticeable, there would be noticeable soot and a loud ticking noise. I suppose it possible the original owner could have cleaned up any soot, but I still come back to, ARH would have never let that go out the door if it were an issue.

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