New & improved exhaust manifold. Had I only known sooner

[LaGrasta]

My manifold had two growing manifold cracks so finally this weekend I took it off and put on a newer reinforced type from a 68 (thanks 68ford200). Boy was I surprised when I removed the old one. the cracks were larger on the inside than what I could see from the outside.

What's more, the siamese center cylinder port was entirely corroded. The gasket was burned away and the center divded on the manifold was so corroded, it protruded about a 1/4 from the flat surface. It wasn't the least bit sealing from what I guess. The car is much quieter today than it was yesterday.

I still have to add my down pipe u-bolt. How do I tighten that without binding the o-ring? Do I first loosen the o-ring nuts so the pipe can swivel?

 

[falcon60]

Isn't it amazing how BAD some of those look inside? I have one just like the one you removed.
Yep,just loosen the nuts on the donut flange enough to let the pipe swivel,then snug up the u-bolt,then tighten up the nuts at the manifold donut flange completely and finally completely tighten the u-bolt clamp. That way nothing is stressed enough to crack.

Terry

 

[LaGrasta]

thanks falcon60.

 

[fordconvert]

Sounds just like the one I pulled of mine when I bought it. It had a couple of small cracks that you could see but they were not all black from carbon so I figured they must seal up when they get hot so I almost didnt order one when I orderd the rest of the exhaust system. Good thing I decided to get one because when I got it off it had 2 huge cracks in the back side of the 3/4 port and had pretty much melted the choke tube thing (this explains why the carb was so f'ed up and the choke tube broke off). THere was also signs that someone had tried to weld it, looked to me like a stick welder.

Anyone tried one of those $80 dollar new repro manifolds for the 200's that are always on ebay? I wonder if they are the same ones the mail order places sell for $120? I have one of the $120's and so far so good.