Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

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KWTownsend
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Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by KWTownsend » Mon Aug 08, 2022 6:48 pm

Crunch. Ouch.

Exhaust Manifold broken.jpg

Many, many bad word were said.


This Frontenac exhaust manifold had been repaired (at least) once before and the flanges were so thin, spacers were needed for the manifold to clear the hogshead. There is no marking on the head, but the combustion chamber measurement indicates it is a Model T.

The way I see it my options are:

1) Find and replace the manifold with an original. Either with intake pre-heater or not.

2) Have a new header fabricated. (Although I prefer the original look.)

3) Have the manifold pieces welded or braised back together onto the spacers (which are actually header flanges.)

I would appreciate constructive suggestions and leads to prospective replacement parts and service.

Thanks,

: ^ (

Keith


Erik Barrett
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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by Erik Barrett » Mon Aug 08, 2022 7:37 pm

Didn’t it originally have the threaded connector like the Ford manifold? I would repair it with my powder spray torch. Best method I have used for this kind of thing.


Kevin Pharis
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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by Kevin Pharis » Mon Aug 08, 2022 10:15 pm

Sure is a sad sight! On the brighter side... at least the manifold wasn’t a pristine original.

Making headers isn’t that big a deal... and welding cast iron components (especially dirty and oily pieces like exhaust manifolds) is never fun. Making a header will take a couple days, welding could be months, and finding an original could take years. Looks like your motor is ready to run... I’d order up some tubing...

There are options for making a new manifold... but aren’t for the faint of heart


Erik Barrett
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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by Erik Barrett » Mon Aug 08, 2022 11:52 pm

Welding exhaust manifolds by any process is no picnic. Never can tell how they are going to respond to therapy. It would need to be bolted to the head during the process and proper preheat and cooling would be crucial.


Mike Lebsack-Iowa
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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by Mike Lebsack-Iowa » Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:47 am

Just curious, what is that vertical opening for? I assume it is part of a hot air stove that has some kind of flexible tubing that is routed to the carburetor?? I have a rebuilt head that has that manifold but I have not yet installed the head on the rebuilt engine that is ready for it. Mike


Tim Williams
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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by Tim Williams » Tue Aug 09, 2022 10:29 am

if it was for a speedster I would say make a new header for it, but if for a stock T probably try and repair it.

Tim


ThreePedalTapDancer
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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by ThreePedalTapDancer » Tue Aug 09, 2022 11:46 am

I’d make something like this for it.
1DC0AB90-67BB-45F5-9684-6B4743E1B94D.jpeg
1DC0AB90-67BB-45F5-9684-6B4743E1B94D.jpeg (33.41 KiB) Viewed 1603 times

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Topic author
KWTownsend
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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by KWTownsend » Wed Aug 10, 2022 1:43 am

Eric-
Yes, the manifold was originally threaded and used a stock T exhaust manifold and nut. Here is how one type looked:
Frontenac Exhaust manifold Butler.jpg
Someone made a flange connection with the exhaust pipe at some time.

Mike-
The opening is for a carburetor pre-heater pipe:
car015.JPG
I have never seen another with this feature. I would be happy with either.

Here is the carburetor end, fitted to a Stromberg OE-1:
car013.JPG
I have a Zenith O-4 that I will probably use on it:
Zenith O-4 engine smaller.jpg
Thanks for all the input so far. Anyone have a spare manifold or know of one?

: ^ )

Keith


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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by Erik Barrett » Wed Aug 10, 2022 2:23 am

All things are possible. I would cut a good threaded end off a warped T manifold and section it onto the Fronty manifold after cutting off the flanged connection that doesn’t belong there.


Mike Lebsack-Iowa
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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by Mike Lebsack-Iowa » Wed Aug 10, 2022 8:02 am

Thanks for the pictures and information Keith. I plan to use a Stromberg MB-1 that Stan Howe set me up with. I am thinking that I would prefer not to use my Fronty manifold with the carb heater exhaust manifold. Would rather have the version without it or build a header. I had some nice header flanges CNC’d with a recess to accept header pipes. Mike


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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by SurfCityGene » Wed Aug 10, 2022 11:59 pm

Boy, That Yellow Fronty sure reminds me of Ralph Ricks speedster before he converted to a Picup....
1912 Torpedo Roadster


Ron Patterson
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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by Ron Patterson » Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:24 am

Keith
The manifold pictured in your original post can be properly repaired, but it'll cost ya.
There is a firm in Stafford Virginia named Casting Salvage Technologies who specialize in casting repairs and stabilization.
Several years ago I found an HCCT that had been dropped off a bench and was broken in two pieces right through the main frame shaft bore.
I sent the two pieces to CST and upon return you could not discern where it had been broken, the shaft bore had been align reamed and was straight as a die. They also repaired the AC Ammeter case casting which had the mounting edge broken off during the drop.
I recall they charged me over $400, but I saved the coil tester.
Ron (Orygun native) Patterson

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Mark Gregush
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Re: Frontenac Exhaust manifold advice needed

Post by Mark Gregush » Fri Aug 12, 2022 2:43 pm

I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup

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