Tbi exhaust manifold problem

[eran tomer]

What to do when the exhaust manifold probably shrank and can’t be installed? I’m afraid the spreading tool will crack it.

 

[fancyTBI]

Buy a Dorman manifold. $89 or so on Rock Auto.

 

[1997]

mine shrunk, there is a lot of “meat” around the holes, so I enlarged them, so far so good.

maybe time for headers if you’re not a fan of dorman replacements....

 

[eran tomer]

i'm not a fan of headers too.

 

[evilunclegrimace]

Put the spreader on it and heat it up with a torch. if it works it works, if it doesn't then you can find a replacement.

 

[Schurkey]

That problem is common as dirt. Good luck.

Aside from finding a NOS exhaust manifold, you can get the Communist replacements which will likely need to be machined and detailed before installation. Dorman and other brand names market exhaust manifolds, the Chinese ones are terrible yet still better than the ones from Viet Nam.

Take 'em out of the box, send 'em to a machine shop to be planed flat and smooth on the gasket surface for the cylinder head mating area. Then look inside for cast-iron boogers that will have to be hand-ground to remove.




Ideally, you install the spreaders BEFORE you remove the bolts.

 

[Erik the Awful]

I'm not a fan of headers for a daily driver because of the heat and leaks, but our trucks have enough air flow under the hood that they're okay.

Can your truck be down for a while if the manifold cracks? If so use the expander tool, and if it cracks the manifold replace it. If it can't be down just go ahead and pay for the manifold now.

 

[eran tomer]

it's been standing for 3 months now. i have another manifold from ebay on the way.

 

[Just Nobody]

Generally, my experience, most of the bolts will thread in, except maybe one or two. I install what I can and use the stretcher to install the others, haven't had a manifold crack yet.