Bent exhaust manifold-fixable?

[70shovelhead]

So Im replacing the manifold gaskets from the 3 in 1 to the 12 piece o ring type. But not so fast....the #1 port on the manifld is tweeked about 1/8" or so. Likely the reason the gasket let go. So Iv ordered a new manifold from Eklers but was wondering if anyone has ever salvaged a bent manifold. This is a Ford script original to the car as far as the previous owner knew and just hate to scap it.

[Susanne]

Gentle heat with a sufficiently large rosebud until it gets hot enough to move, using a large pair of channel locks. It takes time, but you can do it by the sight method or using a straight edge. Just make sure that it is not only straight along one edge of the ports, but lined up and flat across the openings. I've done a couple, it's not as scary a project as it may seem, just take your time!

And yes, going back to the steel gland/copper ring gaskets will keep this from happening in the future. Sometimes the old methods are far better than the new fangled ones!!!

IMO never scrap a repairable original... there are only so many of the script ones left, while it seems like a lot, really there is a finite number, and once they're gone, they're gone forever. That's why I hate seeing good original parts go to the scrapper for scrap value...

[Scott_Conger]

This link: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/25 ... 1348150760

see Chris Bamford's (Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - 10:19 am) 3rd and 4th photo. Note that the weight of the lever (wrench) is what straightens the manifold. Any more force and the manifold will nearly certainly crack. Also, not every manifold will survive even this gentle persuasion.

[Scott_Conger]

And one last thing: You'll probably spend more on acetylene than the manifold is likely worth.

[Steve Jelf]

A manifold warped anything less than ¼" will usually survive straightening. Any more than that, you might as well skip it and find a better one. The available new manifolds (25-27 only, I believe) cost $83.95 + shipping. I doubt very much that I use anywhere near that much gas when I straighten one, but you may find a good original for less.

http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG82.html

[Tom_Carnegie]

In my experience, a bent manifold can be made to have all four holes in alignment, but the spacing between the holes is usually off. Generally the center two holes will be spaced out too far, perhaps by as much as 1/16", which is really just as bad as having the holes out of line up and down.