efHondefender

I've read that mild steel is the preferred material choice for head flanges. Is there any reason other than cost savings? My fabricator normally uses stainless. Is there any reason that he shouldn't?

lopez286

thats really the only reason

efHondefender

yeah, the only thing I could come up with was maybe mild's better ability to expell heat. I thought maybe it would be better to keep the head cooler.

RickyLee53

Stainless pulls more when you weld it.

tepid1

Don't use stainless. Been there, done that. lol

efHondefender

yeah, that's what my fab guy that's gonna build it said. He said he just resurfaces it on his long belt sander and good as new when he uses stainless.

efHondefender

can you elaborate?

weiRtech

i use mild because it is cheaper and typically that is what most honda guys want... cheap. unfortunately over time my pricing has increased (due to material costs and also demand) and now most honda guys won't even look at having a custom one off manifold built unless they are really serious about going turbo.

tepid1

Warps like a **** when you heat cycle it. For a head flange I would never use stainless again. For a turbo flange it would be ok, but why? It's pointless IMO.