I noticed last night, that I have the lower exhaust manifold on #6 broken off. Its not leaking.

Does this mean I need a new manifold or can i extract the bolt and install new bolts and gaskets?

Thanks

 

What I've done with that problum [ but that requires some experance and enough room to work ] since its not leaking then using the right tools you can extract the old one , if its in there , then just put in a new one . if it is broken off then you need to have the room to work and that may require removing the manifold then a close look at the gasget to see if it will last , or replace if its starting to burn away.

 

So its possible that I can install new stainless bolts and save the manifold?

 

You lost me , I thought you were talking about a broken off bolt , I'll have to look at mine to see what your talking about . and see if you can save it or replace.

 

ok. last night while working with my pacbrake, i noticed that the lower exhaust manifold bolt, cylinder 6 was loose, i could not remove it because my brake was in the way. but when i pushed it back in, it seated, so i know its broken off. But the manifold gasket at number 6 isnt leaking.

I have read numerous threads about these manifolds contracting. From those with past experience, are the chances good that I can extract the bolt, replace the gaskets, and go. OR are the chances better that i will need a new exhaust manifold too.

I forgot to add in bolt in the above, sorry

 

I don't see why your manifold would be hurt. The first thing to do would be pull the manifold and see if any of the bolt at all is sticking out. If not then it could be a real pain to get it out.

 

I keep getting an idea that you've got a crack ,but looking at you'er last post -not . as the gasget is not leaking yet, if you get the bolt replaced soon [ the longer that you run it the sooner it will burn through] I would try to get the old pice out without removing the maifold and just put in an other bolt ,if not then when you do or if you remove the manifold then look closly at the gasget and see if it was starting to burn through, if not then you may save the bucks and reuse , but thats relitive to your pocket and the cost of a new gasget. There maybe enough pressure from the other bolts that thats what is keeping it from leaking.

 

Just replace the broken bolt if you can get it out without removing the manifold. If you have to remove the manifold replace the gaskets also.
I've found if you look close that due to contraction the bolts tend to bend but if you untighten them they will go straight. I feel it's a good idea for anyone that sees bent bolts to loosen them one at a time then retorque. This will help prevent the bolts or manifold from breaking.

 

If the bolts are bent the manifold has shrunken..........save any headaches replace the manifold.It is rare that these bolts break on their own.

Bob

 

Why?
There is at least 3/4 inch of play where the bolts go though the manifold, just loosening the bolts and retorquing eliminates the bend in the bolts. A new manifold is going to shrink also unless you get a three piece.
Sounds like throwing parts at a problem to me.

 

Contraction, thats a new one. Can you explain that in a little detail. Thnx Steve

 

Contraction = shrinking. This is very common on engines that have had hp modifications or that tow. High egts cause the exhaust manifold to shrink. On 12 valves this usually results in bent or broken bolts, occasionally the "ears" that the bolts pass though will break off.
Not sure what the difference in manifolds is but on 24 valves the manifold usually cracks, sometimes totally in half.
My experience is that the manifold seems to stay shrunken once it gets hot, if you catch it before a bolt or ear breaks just loosening and retorquing the bolts will prevent damage by relieving the stress.

Folks who've had the manifold break or who just don't want to chance it happening usually will replace the stock manifold with a three piece one from ATS that allows contraction. This website explains it further.http://www.drivetrain.com/dodgeexhau...stmanifold.htm

People who have gone with the three piece manifolds report very little performance or mpg gains, just insurance against breakage.

 

I know for a fact that the previous owner towed a 5er with it, and there is a pacbrake installed, pump is tweaked, and had stock exhaust and intake, with no place that looked like a Pyro was mounted so Im guessing it got hot.

Can I make a stock manifold work for quite a bit longer if i properly care for it, i.e. Watch pyro, proper cool downs, etc?

A 425 dollar exhaust manifold isnt gonna break me... but i just wonder why tis isnt as widespread??

 

It is widespread it's just that the majority of people never take the time to look at their manifold bolts. On most rigs a quick look at the bolt at the front cylinder will tell you If the manifold has shrunk. I've pointed it out to several owners when working on their rigs who were none the wiser.

I think you will be able to get by by just loosening and retorquing the bolts as long as you can get the broken bolt out and no manifold cracks are found. My first clue that this will work was on the first stock manifold I replaced for a ATS. The bolts were badly bent, when I went to cleanup afterwards picked up the bent bolts to throw in the trash and noticed that they were now all straight.