Mr_Asa
PowerDork
1/12/22 9:19 p.m.
Got this sucker in my Intake Thread. I'd like to better match the circle that the base of the bellmouth has. Anyone have any ideas how to make it more circular? As a bonus, if you have ideas on how to expand it as well so I can have the bellmouth drop in and give a better fluid transition that would be sweet. I'm wondering if an exhaust tube expander will do the job, but better suggestions are always welcome.
Bottom of the bellmouth OD is 2.54" (I suspect the yuropeens had something to do with it.)
6061 tube before I squished it and slightly deformed it was 2.5" OD with a 0.0625" wall thickness.
GaryC83
New Reader
1/12/22 9:59 p.m.
Expander. Anneal it first. We do it all the time.
Other options are machine a custom press / swage die if you have a specific area and length transition you are after.
otherwise you can also form it by hand with a hammer and dolley... anneal it first as well, otherwise it will want to crack.
I've done it numerous times as well.. all different methods.. just depends on the cost of the project, thus time allowed to be spent on it. Works great. I'll see if I can find some pictures, but no promises as I have about 25k pictures on this phone documenting daily work... so it may take a while to find some....
jgrewe
HalfDork
1/12/22 10:26 p.m.
Coat it with acetylene soot, then heat it up to the point the soot burns off. Work it into the shape you want.
