454 Exhaust manifold

[bnlfan]

I was going to try and repair the exhaust leak on the drivers side of my Chieftan.  It is very minor but annoying.

Well, out  of curiosity I talked to a local mechanic I know.  He said, if I can bring it by and allow him time, he will change it for around $100.  That price includes a used manifold that he has from another vehicle.  Just the same, I can purchase the manifold new for $93.00.

For those with experience, is it worth it?  I am thinking it may be if I break something.

[M & J]

To me, it's worth the $7 for him to do the work.

[bnlfan]

To me, it's worth the $7 for him to do the work.

Sure, but understand.  If there is anything wrong with the used manifold, I am out of luck.  I can purchase new ones and have him use those, and they come with a warranty.  So, I would be out roughly $200.00

Yeah, for $7 it would be a steal, but sometimes a too good to be true is exactly that.  lol

[Rickf1985]

Look at it this way, you are going to break at least one exhaust bolt off in the head. That is pretty much a given so then you have to deal with that. If you have a MIG welder it is an easy fix but if you have to drill and extract then that is a totally different story. And if you break off the extractor then you are putting the manifold back on minus the broken bolt to take to the guy anyway o he can get the broken combination out with the welder.

I guess it boils down to your experience level, tool supply and confidence.

Oh, chances are you will also break off at least one of the three studs for the manifold to exhaust pipe and have to put a replacement in.

This knowledge all comes from past experience.

[beaverman]

Look at it this way, you are going to break at least one exhaust bolt off in the head. That is pretty much a given so then you have to deal with that. If you have a MIG welder it is an easy fix but if you have to drill and extract then that is a totally different story. And if you break off the extractor then you are putting the manifold back on minus the broken bolt to take to the guy anyway o he can get the broken combination out with the welder.

I guess it boils down to your experience level, tool supply and confidence.

Oh, chances are you will also break off at least one of the three studs for the manifold to exhaust pipe and have to put a replacement in.

This knowledge all comes from past experience.

Been there, done that!  last year I had to change the doughnut on the drivers side flange, (original and rusted good) I was able to get my hands on some Kroil, best rust buster I ever used, soaked it twice a day for 2 days and the nuts busted loose with no problems, can be found on feebay

[Rickf1985]

I have three of the large cans of Kroil! It will not help on the exhaust manifolds though since they are bolts and the threads are shrouded by the thick manifold.

[beaverman]

I was talking about the flange