Hi Adrian Jones!!
On Tue, 24 Jun 1997, Adrian Jones wrote:
> 1. Put in back in and pretend the cracks are not there.
Never-Sieze all nuts and bolts, and drive her till she falls apart, and
it will, sooner or later. But this approach gives you time to beg,
snivell, and whine to you-know-who for a header...
> 2. A local machine shop said they would weld it for "about $20"
Hmmm, my cast welding experience is somewhat limited, but from what I've
done, they'd have to "V" the cracks, pre-heat the manifold red-hot, weld
the cracks, allow to cool slowly, and then peen the welds to relieve the
stresses. That's a lot of work for $20, which suggests either they're
going to skip some of the process (and they won't guarrantee the job),
or else there's a new welding rod for cast that I haven't used yet.
> 3. Get a good used one. (Anyone got one for sale?) >
Only if it's dirt cheap; it may be ready to go, and you can't tell!!
> 4. Get new one from VB for $110
Not till you figure out what's causing the manifold to crack. Usually,
it's caused by a lean burn, then an over rich condition cooling the cast
too quickly. Like winding it out on a long grade while you pass that
big old semi, then having to downshift and brake for the "slow to 40"
corner on the down side of the hill.
> 5. Get a header. This sounds like more fun but the carbon-based
> wife unit would hit me over the head with it when we get the bill.
Show her the all stainless exhaust system you want to buy, and after the
yelling subsides, compromise on the header only... or show her the used
car ads, and explain how much money a 3 year old anything looses from
sticker price. Your bill pales in comparison.
> Now the manifolds are out, is there anything useful I could do in the
> engine department while I'm waiting?
Buy Vizard's book on "Tuning BL's "A" Series Engines", and do as he
says. You CAN do quite a bit without spending a lot of money, if you
have the time.
TTUL8r, Kirk Cowen (who would never weld that manifold unless it was
clamped to either the head, or a straight-edge, 'cause it'll warp and
when you install it on the head... big time stresses)
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