My exhaust manifold will not go back on my heads. There is a about an 1/8th of an inch that needs to give to properly fit the bolts. The bolts have wear showing the exhaust manifolds are too large for the truck. Does anyone have an ideas as to why this would be and a possible solution. I have thought about sticking them in an oven and seeing if that would work, but an 1/8th is a lot of room to grow and I don't think the betty crocker method will work. :tdown:
Exhaust Manifolds Will Not Fit
- Thread starter waitn4
- Start date
ty166
Donating Member
Re: Exhaust Manifolds Will Not Fit
does the spreader need to be used on all aplications no matter what or will some manifolds bolt up without having to use the spreader tool.
does the spreader need to be used on all aplications no matter what or will some manifolds bolt up without having to use the spreader tool.
dgoodhue
BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Exhaust Manifolds Will Not Fit
If you let the manifolds sit around unbolted they will eventually shrink. I always bolt my manifolds to a set of heads when they are going to be off for a more than a couple days.
If you let the manifolds sit around unbolted they will eventually shrink. I always bolt my manifolds to a set of heads when they are going to be off for a more than a couple days.
ty166
Donating Member
Re: Exhaust Manifolds Will Not Fit
i have used a 7/16 exhaust stud cut to size to fit in the short side with a couple nuts and some washers and used it to spread my manifold enough to get it back on.. basically a home made version of what you get when you buy a spreader.
i have used a 7/16 exhaust stud cut to size to fit in the short side with a couple nuts and some washers and used it to spread my manifold enough to get it back on.. basically a home made version of what you get when you buy a spreader.
phoonTy
Truckless. For now.
Re: Exhaust Manifolds Will Not Fit
Put the manifold in the oven at 450* for about an hour. make sure you have some good silicone pot holders and leather gloves. Clear a path from the oven to the truck. Pull the manifold from the oven and head straight for the truck. Hold it up and have someone start the bolts for you.
It work on my truck like a charm. We had the new manifold on and bolted down in 5 minutes after it came out of the oven.
Of course, if you have a significant other, you might need their permission before baking the manifold. :lol:
Put the manifold in the oven at 450* for about an hour. make sure you have some good silicone pot holders and leather gloves. Clear a path from the oven to the truck. Pull the manifold from the oven and head straight for the truck. Hold it up and have someone start the bolts for you.
It work on my truck like a charm. We had the new manifold on and bolted down in 5 minutes after it came out of the oven.
Of course, if you have a significant other, you might need their permission before baking the manifold. :lol:
Norm
Donating Member
Re: Exhaust Manifolds Will Not Fit
Ha ha, and here I was totally going to follow his advice! :rotf:
Ha ha, and here I was totally going to follow his advice! :rotf:
Don W.
Stab it and steer it
Don W.
Stab it and steer it
Re: Exhaust Manifolds Will Not Fit
UPDATE: Bolted a manifold to a spare head yesterday. Using one center port and the close outside port. Put the spreader between the center port and the far port. Heated the long section red hot and jacked on the spreader until the far port was about 1/2 a bolt hole PAST where it should be. Leave spreader in place and allow to cool completely. Remove spreader and manifold shrinks back to where it should be. Did the same to the other manifold and I'm good to go.
I've used the spreader in the past to make the manifold fit and it scares the heck outa me because I'm afraid to break the thing. Above method seems allot better. Time will tell.
Hope my little experiment helps.
UPDATE: Bolted a manifold to a spare head yesterday. Using one center port and the close outside port. Put the spreader between the center port and the far port. Heated the long section red hot and jacked on the spreader until the far port was about 1/2 a bolt hole PAST where it should be. Leave spreader in place and allow to cool completely. Remove spreader and manifold shrinks back to where it should be. Did the same to the other manifold and I'm good to go.
I've used the spreader in the past to make the manifold fit and it scares the heck outa me because I'm afraid to break the thing. Above method seems allot better. Time will tell.
Hope my little experiment helps.
Sportmachines
Active member
Re: Exhaust Manifolds Will Not Fit
This is what we do. Heat is the best method I think.
This is what we do. Heat is the best method I think.
KDBL1TY
Member
Re: Exhaust Manifolds Will Not Fit
Go to the parts store there is a tool that spreads the header , Damn i bought one to reinstall mine after a rebuild cant recall the name. I think Leslie of lise is supplier or something like that. Hope this helps.
Opps didn't see first post. Yep thats the tool. Works great
Go to the parts store there is a tool that spreads the header , Damn i bought one to reinstall mine after a rebuild cant recall the name. I think Leslie of lise is supplier or something like that. Hope this helps.
Opps didn't see first post. Yep thats the tool. Works great
Syclone#2960
What ever it takes!!
Re: Exhaust Manifolds Will Not Fit
My local NAPA has them in stock...check with your local.
My local NAPA has them in stock...check with your local.
