Hey guys, just looking for some input and thoughts on a small problem with my Hughes plenum cover I received today.

As soon as I opened the package I noticed the plate did not appear to be perfectly flat. Well, the straight edge proved my eyesight is correct.

My question is will it still be OK to use and will it seal properly? I have sent an email to Hughes (with the pictures) but haven't heard back from them yet. Anyone else had this problem?

When I push down on the arch with all my weight it still does not appear to lay flat. My thoughts are the low torqued bolts (84 inch pounds) wont do the trick either. And, I have not determined which way the arch is (toward the intake or away from it).

Dang! I wanted to start this project this weekend.

What do you guys think. Send it back, or install it?



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Good thinking to check that. I would not install. I'd get Hughes on the phone and demand they overnight a replacement to you so you can proceed on time with your work this weekend.

 

HAHAHAHA, that got a laugh out of me Silver. (hidden humor guys)

 

Have you tried heating it?

 

I wouldn't use it either, just cause it's a pain in the *** as it to tear everything down then put it all back together just to find out it DIDN'T work. And then you'd have to do it again.

I'd have them replace it, and if you can do what silver said and get them to over night it that would work out great.

 

No I haven't. What would I do, just put some heat over the entire thing? Or a certain area?

 

Yeah, I know what you mean about PAIN. I just replaced it a few years ago, but it was with the stock parts because I didnt know about the "FIX".

I called Hughes and sent them an email with pics and all they said is that it will be fine. But, it just doesn't seem right to me.


Maybe I will tear it apart and bolt it on once and see if it lays flat. If not, its going back.

 

I agree with Silver. If it's noticeably warped, it's a reject in my book. Don't waste your time with it. I have the same Hughes kit and I can tell you right now I wouldn't have accepted a warped plate.

 

On second thought, since it is aluminum, not sure if heat would actually help much or not. Might actually give you worse problems. If I were to try it, id lay it down so the warp causes there to be a space between the surface it is laying on and the plate. Heat it slowly with a torch while you try to flatted it down to be flat against the surface it is sitting on. Since it is alum though, not sure how well that would work.

 

don't use it. don't heat it (it will void warranty and won't help anyway)
its way too much effort to install to risk a leak.
hughes will likely send a replacement, no problems.
be patient and do it right