Cracked Manifold

[JonC]

An exhaust leak led me to find a two inch long crack on my exhaust manifold. The crack is about an inch from the pad the intake bolts to. I know you can buy repops, has anyone brazed this issue and had it work? I have brazed wood stoves that had cracked and they held up very well. What do you think.

[mhsprecher]

The manifolds have a tendency to sag at the back, too. I think most will tell you to buy a new manifold. I bought a used one to replace my cracked one. That worked okay for a while, but it is leaking again, so I just bought a new one, much as I hated to do it.

[Synchro909]

The cast iron in the exhaust manifold absorbs lots of carbon during its lifetime. Brazing or similar done to CI with too much carbon is hit and miss at best. Yours probably has sagged at the rear too. I'd buy a new one and be done with it. New ones are made stronger where the originals bend so they are one case where the repros are better than the original.

[Tom Wesenberg]

The few repro exhaust manifolds I've seen have been excellent in fit and looks. I'd also buy a new manifold, and you can buy them with a special coating for a little extra.

[JonC]

I know you guys are right I just hate to, but I will order one, thanks.

[hardtimes]

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Originally Posted by JonC

I know you guys are right I just hate to, but I will order one, thanks.

Hey Jon,
Use this situation as a learning experience. Give brazing a go, as what do you have to lose, eh ! Clean it , blast it and heat heck out if it. Then while it hot/clean as possible...lay the braze to it. You might just surprise yourself with a happy situation and a useful exhaust manifold. Just make sure that if it seems to work (cool slowly), then get the mating surface milled FLAT. I don't know much, but have found that brazing is easy/rewarding if you get a positive result. Hey, if not make wall art out of it

[Rex_A_Lott]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

The cast iron in the exhaust manifold absorbs lots of carbon during its lifetime. Brazing or similar done to CI with too much carbon is hit and miss at best. Yours probably has sagged at the rear too. I'd buy a new one and be done with it. New ones are made stronger where the originals bend so they are one case where the repros are better than the original.

This ^ X 2. I've done the hit, and the miss.... Good Luck