Dimpling Stainless Steel Pipe
Dimpling Stainless Steel Pipe Hey guys, I'm new to playing with stainless steel and I need to clearance one of my stainless hot side pipes a bit. I have a Huron Speed V1 AC hot side that I'm using with a BMR Turbo K-Member and there wasn't a whole lot of clearance between the passenger hot side pipe and the engine mount stand. I'm using poly mounts and just went for a ride and got on it pretty hard and now it sounds like I may have popped the manifold/pipe gasket. I'm thinking the engine torqued over and the pipe hit the stand and side loaded it enough to pop the gasket, hopefully it didn't break the bolt too. I need to pull the pipe and dimple it to add some space but having never worked with S/S before I don't want to mess it up. Can anybody give me some helpful tips and do's and don't s so I don't crack and ruin my hot side? Thanks fellas!
Dimpling Stainless Steel Pipe As long as your not indenting it severely just smack it with a BFH.. All that other Jazz is unnecessary unless it's on a weld or there is tension on the e tire hot side.
Thanks guys, well I'd imagine there's tension on the hot side as it holds up the turbo so there's some weight on it. A friend of mine suggested notching the pipe with a hole saw then turning the cutout peice around and welding it back it, that's what he did so at least now I have some options. Thanks guys!!
How deep or far do you need the dimple? I used a Ball peen hammer to dimple my stainless header for clearance to the upper control arm. Had to go about 1/4 inch. I really just flattened the area a little. Just tap lightly and use a lot of small hits versus big hits. Makes for a smoother end result and less likely to hurt the pipe.
I too use a ball peen and a torch. I have a nice MAPP gas torch auto ignite that comes in handy for these. I usually have the pipe/flange/whatever secure with clamps/vice. Start heating it up till you see it begin to glow and I keep the torch on while tapping with the other really light as it takes the shape i need.
This should only take a few minutes.
This should only take a few minutes.
