I've been advised that the right side exhaust manifold of my 1966 Skylark GS is cracked. The mechanic said to look for a replacement for it and the heat riser. I've come up with #1377476 for the exhaust manifold and #1377547 for heat riser, however, I've found that neither is available. Any advice on replacements is appreciated. Can a "cracked" exhaust manifold be repaired?
Better off to find a good used manifold. They are available and most likely someone here will have one to offer. I just saw an NOS Heat Riser (Pic) go on ebay for $252. Reasonable considering the rarity. Salvageable used heat risers show up once in awhile but you might want to see exactly what is wrong with yours. If its seized they can often be freed up with some effort......Magic wand and a lot of finesse Heres an auction that recently ended for a pair of manifolds that didn't sell. Not sure what engine you have though. 401? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966...tZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Riviera and Skylark GS completely different on exaust manifolds even though both for 401 or 425 :TU: :TU:
Hi, I did a swap in my 65 skylark and the manifold heat riser broke while removing it, so I removed it all together and added a donut in place of it works without leaks I also considered having a spacer machined out of to replace the heat riser but the exhaust donut was cheaper and has worked for a few years now As for GS manifolds best put a post on the parts wanted as that is how I found mine Good luck
If the body of the heat riser isn't cracked, just cut the valve flap off with a gas hacksaw and fuggedaboutit...unless you want a correct restoration. On second thought, you might want to free it up, you'll get better mileage, if you're in cold country.
Someone on the board here I think Hector is his screen name sells a gutted really nice dummy heat riser ...do a search on the board I am sure you will find it....Four Seasons also sells a fully functional heat riser . See link http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=181056&highlight=riser http://www.amazon.com/Four-Seasons-..._1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1291779044&sr=1-1
That exhaust manifold can be welded ..... heat it up to a dull red and weld it with a cast iron or stainless steel rod , or a nickel rod....that is after you vee the crack....
Doc is correct, but if you are not experienced in welding cast iron - I would take the manifold to an expert in this type of repair. The manifold that you have is about the rarest Nailhead manifold that there is. You don't want it screwed up anymore then it already is. I would also have the inlets machined true before installation. It is likely that the heat of welding may warp it a bit. It could already be warped, which might be a cause of the crack.
My thanks to all who responded to this request. I believe that the Four Seasons Heat risers, #103 and #105, are not suitable for the Nailhead, at least not without modification. While I've been unable to acquire a heat riser, I believe Buick referred to them as "heat valves", I was able to obtain a good used exhaust manifold. I will have the cracked one repaired and retain it as a spare that I hope to never have to use!
The heat valve's purpose is to provide a restriction in the exhaust to force some of the exhaust gasses through heat passages in the intake manifold. Another way to do this is to place a restriction in one side of a dual exhaust system. I have seen many factory systems in both Ford and Mopar where the diameter of the pipe in one side of the system is slightly smaller then the other.
What exactly is the purpose of a heat riser? I'm not familiar with that. Also I have a leak on my manifold but I think it's just the gasket, is this the right one? 1971 Skylark 350-2: http://www.oldbuickparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4174
The heat riser restricts the flow of exhaust on one exhaust manifold. Forcing the hot gases through a passage in the intake manifold, to the opposite exhaust manifold, providing heat under the carburetor for warming the engine faster. As the car warms up, the restriction on the exhaust opens.
:laugh:HA!:Brow: just kidding, Kidd! I don't know a whole lot about nailheads, either!. Really, though, everything I know about 1967 and later Buicks, came form reading on this forum. I like reading and leaning about all, the Buicks.
