Theoretically, if headers get hot enough they will bend pretty easy, right? What temp do they typically reach once 'at temp', and what minumum temp would they need to be to start bending?

I need to "re-bend" my headers close to their pre-accident positions if possible. My daughter and her Civic accidently/indirectly ran into the back of my Super Bee while parked in the garage; shoving my exhaust system forward a bit; the tips moved in about a half inch. Steering linkage now rubs a right downpipe, and the ex pipes hang an inch lower than they used to.

Other than replacing the headers(vintage Hooker Blackjacks, I think)...which as everyone knows is done via engine/tranny R+I...I'm hoping to rectify this problem quickly and inexpensively. Any input?

Metal needs to be redhot before it will bend more 'easily'.

Do you want to bend the 4 pipes at once?
I don't think you will be able to keep all the pipes redhot at a certain point before you can start pulling.


Also reminder the tubes are thinwall, so they cool fast, but you can also burn through them if heated too much in one area.

But... do you really want to handle a hot flametorch in your enginebay like that?

It ain't gonna work. Buy new headers.

My crappy BB A-body headers hung kinda low for my taste, so when I put my 3"/x-pipe on I heated the tubes with a rose bud tip(under car not under hood)stuck a pipe in the collector and managed to move them up.....not a lot but they moved enough to give me a little more ground clearance....maybe 3/4"?

I think this is where you're going and it's worth a try:
Drive the car in a situation where it makes quite a bit of power so the headers get nice and hot.
Put a jack under the collector and jack it up.
I bet it works, just don't get too frantic with the jack or you'll oval the collector.
No use to use a rosebud when you have a 300+ horsepower torch at your right foot!

R.

Pull it back into position.
If its the header thats shoved forward put a strap on the collector flange and pull it back with a comealong. GENTLY.

Jim, I think the only way to do this right is buy new ones. There is no way it would ever be right. Did you ever get it painted yet. Tell the family I said hello. Mike.

It'll work better with the header hot.
Even a few hundred degrees is better than nothing.
R.

I'd just ding the pipe that is causing problems. You'll never feel the difference in hp from a little dent. That'll get you back in action for a bunch of years till they rust out or you bottom out too many times.