can you weld headers with an aluminzed coating?
 

i got a set of hooker super comp headers that came with a blower motor i bought on ebay for my 48 anglia. i need to cut and modify them to fit. if i cut them and grind off the aluminized coating where i need to weld them, will i be able to mig them ok? im going to use mild steel tubing for the tubes i have to modify for clearance. thx for any advice, rm

I've done it but its tricky, you really have to make sure the coating is all removed. you will also need to have the coating re done or it will rust.

thx dave, i was just gonna spray bomb hi temp black them for now, down the road i plan to have a set of chrome zoomies made for it..

Clean the inside and out till you get to good base metal. Youll know when you get past the galvanize, you will get sparks, and more sparks. Mig will work fine, not the flux core stuff, the gas shielded kind. I prefer to tig weld them, but thats why god invented grinders. :lolhit:

Weld it every day wire feeds burns right through just touchup with spry bomb .

you're saying i dont need to grind off the alum coating? just hit em with 80 grit to clean em up first? thx, rm

same here,,the mig will butn through the aluminum coating but it will contaminate your weld and look s hitty..grind it orr and weld it up,it will look better..when we build our own headers for the race cars this is how it starts and weld it together..you can but the kit and do it your self,,time consuming but its worth it..here is one of our old sponsors kits..http://www.stainlessworks.net/produc...lder-kits.html

i have built several sets of headers, it just that im in colombia and want to get it running asap. it would take amonth to get all the header parts here. i will probably build a set of zoomies for it later on when i have time... rm

It depends on your skill. Based on the question I suggest you clean the **** out of the weld area. Bust off all the coating with a wire wheel and get the metal shining bright. As I am sure you know....welding is 99% prep work.

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if you back purge the weld will also turn out alot better.