Header with ceramic powder coat

I got the completed header back and it looks great.  It was completely blasted to remove the rust, and coated in ceramic.  RML in Ottowa, KS performed both operations for a flat cost. Check them out if you need this type of service.  http://www.rmlpowder.com/

So for a $50 cost for the dented header, a couple nights in the freezer, and  $125 to blast and coat, and I have a part that, while not new will perform like it is.  And for $200 - $300 cheaper than a new part, I've gotten quite a great deal.  The best part is that the new exhaust should result in an additional 5-10 HP.  While that doesn't sound like a lot, it will all add up to a lot more torque and power on a small, light car like Betty. 

Now that I am well on my way to sorting out the free flowing exhaust, I need to get more air and fuel into the motor.  Next up: some Weber twin carbs.  I'm looking for a good deal on used carbs, but some of the prices I see are too high.  Brand new weber DCOE 50's can be had for $368 new.  Used ones, should cost no more than half that.

Ready for blasting and ceramic powder coat

After

Night 3 in the freezer

The inside pipes got a small crease in them against the block, likely when the elbow hit what ever obstruction that caused it to dent in the first place. Here is a before pic.

Second Day on Ice

After a drain and a second day filled with water and an another 12 hours in the deep freeze, the elbow on the 2 lower header pipes is almost completely smooth.

Fixing a dented header pipe

A couple weeks ago I bought a Fiesta 4->1 GT class race header.  It has some surface rust and a couple big flat spots at the bend on the 2 lower pipes.  The flat spots would constrict the exhaust on the 2 cylinders by at least 1/2, so it need to be fixed.  I asked some of my hotrod friends at work for advice, and got a number of recommendations, including heating and and pounding them out with a large diameter round rod ground down to a dome, to getting some new, bent pipes, and replacing sections via cut and weld.  The most interesting suggestion was to fill it with water and pop it in the deep freeze...  Anyone who has forgotten a can of beverage in the freezer knows the principal behind what happens next.  In fact I have dark slush at the bottom of my deep freeze from just such an incident.  Sure, lets give it a try, nothing to loose.

...12 hours later, magically they popped right out.  There are still some creases  in the metal, so I am thawing and trying another go tonight to try and smooth those out as well.