Manifold 1951

[glen]

Hi,

Looks like I need a new/old manifold for my '51 Kaiser.

Anyone have one for sale or any recommendations as to how to repair the crack?

Damn, my car only has 22,000 miles on the poor "young thing" !!! LOL

Thanks, glenn

[montefrazer]

Here is a product that says it will fix manifolds. Never tried it but worth looking at if you don't get a different one. http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/pyro.htm

[84RabbitGTI]

Glenn, I had a cracked '51 manifold on mine. After trying to get one through a club member in the mail, it arrived broken due to poor packing and handling. Also, it would have required some extensive repairs, more than the one I had, so I took it to a guy locally who is a master at repairing cast iron manifolds. It took him a while, but he had it all welded back up and after I took it to a local manifold coating guy, it looked as good as new. The studs are all replaceable, and the heat riser baffle valve and spring are obtainable through some in the club as new or NOS parts. Mine now works as good as new.

[84RabbitGTI]

That's my old one after the repairs were made to it.  They Master-Craftsman cast iron welder guy had giant holes in it when I checked on it after a few weeks.  He had to get some special welding rod to do the job, he says.  I learned later that other old car owners go to him to get theirs repaired. I don't think he does anything but local work, though. Check with old car clubs around your area to see if someone will recommend a place to you locally.  It can probably be repaired and replacements are hard to find, at least in my experience.

[Kenn Evans II]

If you weld it make sure your using the correct rod for cast iron. The cast rod for old bathtubs works well and is softer and has excellent expansion and contraction. Remember to keep the manifold clamped well and weld it hot not cold. Heat it with a torch well and evenly. Then dress it with a file or a grinder.  Then chech for fit. Don't tighten both manifolds back together until you have them secured to the block or you may make new cracks in the manifolds.

[84RabbitGTI]

So, basically treat them like irreplaceable glass, right Kenn?

[Cortes121]

Can you get the manifolds porcelainized??

[lessthan8]

Glen, The proper way to fix manifold is: Clean rust off as good as you can get, DO NOT GRIND A 'V' IN manifold. Pre heat to 450 degrees F. (the whole thing) You can then arc weld with a nickel-iron filler material (ni-rod 55) use either AC or DC rev. The first thing you want to do is go to each end of crack and run a half moon bead across the crack, then run another one overlaying the 1st pass 50 %, then you can start welding crack, all of this must be done while manifold is HOT,(never shut fire off) If you do not have a temperature indicator, stick a match to work piece, when match flares you will be 425 degree F. After welding you can grind weld to make it look nice, If you hace any pinholes at this point, reweld.  I would recommend a 3/32 in dia. electrode and run it about 55-60 amps. If you have any questions, call me@ 270-474-0122 CDT

[glen]

Hi,

Thank you all for the knowledgeable information.
I`m impressed !!

I think that I`ll try the easy route 1st and that is to purchase and apply a product called  "Pyro-Putty".
(I phoned the manufacturer and they said that it will do the job.)

If anyone has tried this product, please let me know your experience with it.

I`ll let you know how it works.

Thanks again,

glenn

[glen]

Well. I tried the epoxy putty and it might have worked but once I started the repair, I found out that the crack was not as minor as I thought.
The crack actually ran around the whole manifold and the putty could not handle this large of a repair.

So, if anyone has a manifold for sale let me know or I will try to get it welded.

Thanks,
glenn