yes... pressure check them every winter and become or meet a good welder! Not many can't be fixed by a steady hand and a wire fed welder but they are always going to be a problem until someone comes out with a better solution.

I guess my biggest fear is passing the pressure test but be on the verge of cracking and cracking right after the test, then grenading an engine.

I'm still a lil sways away so maybe before I purchase there will have been a proven solution. So far I've found Hardin and stellings make a replacement set. Jury is still out as to wether or not they are any better.

I certainly appreciate everyones responses and knowledge on this.

Mike

i have researched the c.m.i. header issue and have tlked to c.m.i. engineers regarding them. The main reason there has been issues is from low water flow through the headers- if there is not enough flow there is too much heat to the inner welds. make sure you properly flush motors w/enough water pressure! also your impellars are in excellent condition.

496 has cast pistions

Cast pistons don't scare me so much as I have no plans to raise compression or boost it. Also If I ever planned to build them the easy fix is a set of forged pistons.

Also I've read the cracking comes in on staggered with lack of support on long tails. Has anyone come up with supports to help prevent this?