HEAT RISER VALVE IN EXHAUST MANIFOLD

[kfnut]

HI . DOES ANYONE HAVE A GOOD WAY TO FREE UP A STUCK HEAT RISER VALVE IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ? I TRIED BEAD BLASTING THE CORROSION AWAY FROM THE SHAFT ENDS , HEATING THE CAST IRON AROUND THE SHAFT WITH A TORCH , SOAKING IN PB BLASTER AND BOILING IT IN WATER ACOUPLE OF HOURS . IT WILL NOT BUDGE . ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED .

[Fid]

Unfortunately, the brass ferrules and iron damper rod create the electrolysis effect and weld together. I doubt you'll ever get them freed up.  I had a kit that Willys sold in order to repair it. Getting the old one out was an awful ordeal. I had to drill, heat and pound to get the old one out.
The best thing to do is if it is stuck open (the damper in the horizonal position) just leave it. If it's in vertical postion or close to it, use a hack saw or a torch and remove it and operate without it. Mine's been stuck open for 30 years and the car runs fine. Unless you drive on cold days, it really won't matter.

[kfnut]

FID . IT HAS RUN FINE FOR YEARS WITH IT BEING PARTLY OPEN BUT I THOUGHT WHILE I HAD IT APART I WOULD TRY TO FIX IT . WHAT WOULD BE THE HARM OF PUTTING A SOLID PLATE IN THERE TO CLOSE IT COMPLETELY TO KEEP EXHAUST GASSES FROM HEATING THE CARB AT ALL . IT SEEMS IT WOULD CUT DOWN CHANCES OF VAPOR LOCK ?

[Fid]

I haven't noticed any difference on mine with the valve stuck open. Also, I've never seen nor heard of a Henry J vapor-locking. The big Kaisers and Frazers with the 226 are notorious vapor-lockers and everyone I ever owned vapor-locked, but never a Henry J so leaving it stuck  open should cause no problems.