Cracked em stuff

[MHLIGGINS <MHLIGGINS@aol.com>]

     When I started to install my spare, supposedly "good", exhaust manifold I
found a small crack through No.4 cylinder area (surprise, huh?).  Took that
em, plus the really bad one that just came off the '87 engine, plus a spare
head and em nuts down to the local vocational school.
     They bolted the old em to the head first for practice.  Found the metal
to be of high quality, it seemed to weld well.  After it was brought back to
normal temp they did the one with the small crack.  Drilled holes at each end
of the fracture, then preheated it for welding.  It seems to have taken the
welding well.  I'm going to install this one and see how long it lasts.
     For me, at least, the good news is that this is high quality stuff.  Much
better than the General Motors manifold they tried to do for someone else last
week.
     I also checked around for other exhaust manifolds.  At the moment there
do not seem to be any uncracked used (one piece or two piece) manifolds in the
system.  New stock one or two piece will be about $800 (Linda at Carlsen,
etc.), aftermarket (Dialynx from TAP) would be about $800.  Don't have a phone
# for Hoppen so couldn't check with them.  If anyone knows of other places I
should check for aftermarket manifolds, let me know.  (I'm aware of Intended
Acceleration, but was only looking for something near stock not high
performance.)

     Later.
     Marty Liggins
     Imperial Potentate, Bucksnort Quattro Club (Un-Inc.)