I received a new set of AlphaWerks headers and when I inspected the header flanges with a straight edge, I noticed that the right side flange was warped slightly. I found a gap between the straight edge and the middle of the flange where the middle header tube is. The gap is approximately less than 1mm at its widest point. Has anyone experienced this with the AlphaWerks Headers? When the header is torqued down on the engine, will the exhaust gasket and the torque on the bolts effectively eliminate the gap and seal the header properly? What is an acceptable amount of surface distortion for a header? Thanks in advance for your answers.

 

A couple of photos would be helpful.

The header to engine gasket is pretty thick. Two pieces of metal with insulation material between. I wouldn't be concerned about a couple of mm.

 

Davidv - thanks for the input and the previous pm.

I will try to get some pictures posted as soon as I can. The best that I can describe it is that the middle of the flange is bowed out. If the flange placed flat on a table, instead of being flush with the table, you would see a gap at the middle of the header flange to the table.