acer99

Well.



I bought a Rugged Ridge header back in August for my stroker build. I couldn't get around to actually installing a new exhaust so its been sitting in my garage. Also took it to a local machine shop earlier to get the 2.25" collector replaced with a 3" one, so I'd having something similar to Dino's build up.

Cleaning up the garage today, picked up the header, and noticed that the welds were on the inside of the flange instead of the outside. How I missed this, I have no idea except that I didn't pay close attention to the header since I couldn't actually install it. Completely my fault, I should have inspected it when it arrived.

Looked on the Rugged Ridge website and the header pictures they have show the welds on the outside. So I don't know what can be done. I wrote them today, so I hope to hear some good news from them on Monday or so - but honestly, I'm so bummed about this that I don't have a lot of hope for anything.

The diameter of the welds ranges from 1.23" to 1.4" inches, between the welds, and 1.5" for the diameter of the flange (like it should be).

I suppose when I get some money for a welder I'll try using a Dremel to clean out the welds and then re-weld to the outside.

93slayer

All the headers I've ran on mustangs were tacked on the outside, welded fully inside. I always polished the weld areas up, knock any high spots off. Never had problems. And I ran the cheapest one and some of the nicer ones over the years....

pickles

Nothing unusual about that

acer99

This is normal? Do you mean this is normal to find due to poor craftsmanship? Or that its normal to reduce the exhaust from 1.5" to 1.3"? I'm confused.

pickles

You can buy a set of hooker supercomp headers for your small block chevy and they will be welded internally as well. This is not a form of poor craftsmanship.

If it bothers you, take some time to smooth the welds out.

acer99

That's good to know, though I am surprised to learn this. Yeah, I'll definitely weld the outside and smooth the inside.

pickles

If you weld it be sure to check that the flange is still 100% straight, it may warp a little