Posted by mannyc on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 at 10:16AM :
In Reply to: Re: Is this a common problem with the Manifold? posted by Willy-N on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 at 10:05AM :
the term split manifolds usually refers to when you have the exhaust manifold split to use two exhaust pipes to make an engine breathe easier. there is a company that splits these old exhaust manifolds and there is another that makes them new.
the joint between intake and exhaust is problematic on these dodges because of the threads, gasket and different heating temps of the two joined manifolds. the exhaust heats faster and expands faster than the intake. the stress can cause cracking. most often, the gasket betweent the two gives out and leaks. changing the gasket is where most folks run into problems. i heat the bolts and tap them on their head with a brass hammer to loosen up the rust. i then slowly turn them until they free up. if they break, the best bet is to try using heat and a vicegrip on the nub. if no nub, i mount it in my drill press and drill out the stud. easy outs never work for me. call bob stahl for good used manifolds. 508 384 6882. tell him i sent you. he most likely has other flat fender stuff you need. mannyc