So back when I did my plenum repair/intake mod, I noticed that I had a small exhaust leak on my driver side header (Edelbrock shorties) where the primary tubes come together in the collector. I didn't really have time to fix it then, so I bought some exhaust puddy and patched it. That lasted a few months, and then the leak was back again. Then, a few weeks ago when I went camping, I noticed the leak got a lot louder suddenly. Well, here's why. One of the primaries completely cracked all the way around (see pic).

So, I bought a new set of Edelbrocks, and installed them tonight with new Remflex gaskets. Here's a pic of the new driver side header freshly installed. I went with the Edelbocks again because I have been very happy with them overall. The first set was on my truck for 3 years. From what i've read, that's pretty normal for what you can expect out of an aftermarket header. The ceramic coating held up very well that entire time, and I never had any leaks at the head until this tube cracked. They are a good price too compared to most ceramic headers on the market.

 

You arent interested in selling your old headers, are you? If so, what would you see as a reasonable price?

 

Is it possible to weld those headers? Thats what i would have done

 

Might be possible. I really didn't want to mess with the hassle for 3 year old headers.
Haven't really thought about selling these. I'll think about it. If I did, you could have them for shipping, i'm not looking to make money on them. Just need to decide if I want to get rid of them or not. They are in my spare parts bin right now.

 

New ones look great but 3yrs, ouch, thats an expensive maintenance program

 

since youve got ur engine open, maybe its time to slap on a 408 stroker kit

 

Yes it is. That's why I keep the stock manifolds and haven't upgraded to headers yet. I just hear one problem after another from just about everyone that has them installed and then I hear stuff like this where they don't last long or from others saying I'm on my second set now. That's crazy and not only expensive it sounds like a pita. I'd love to have the power from them but it just doesn't seem worth it. I'd rather just not mess with my stock manifolds, save some money, and some hassle and have a tiny bit less hp. It's not like they add 100hp or anything anyway.

 

If headers are ceramic coated inside and out properly with a good coating they should last longer than 3yrs (at least double that) I dont think Edelbrock coats the insides so that could/would shorten the lifespan significantly.

My uncoated stainless Eddy TES headers went on back in spring of 97. Only reason Im replacing them this yearis I need long tubes with bigger primaries/collectors.
Headers on their own do not add a lot of hp persay but do compliment other mods as added. Less gained from other mods without them.

 

These do appear to be coated on the inside too. The passenger side header was still in great shape, and I image that it will last longer then 3 years. Probably has lots of life still left in it. I think this may have started as a bad weld or some other small defect on that one primary, and progressed into the crack you see today.

Don't get me wrong, i'm not happy that they only lasted 3 years, but I have read many times how your lucky if aftermarket headers last more then 3 years, so i guess I wasn't suprised.

 

Are these on your daily driver?