Engine woes

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As promised....here is the underside of the IM. Cracked all the way through.
cracked underneath IM.webp
 
If it isn't very big I've heard of one repair done to an aluminum manifold. I've never done this or seen it done, just heard of it, so take it with a grain of salt.

Have the manifold very thoroughly cleaned to get rid of all traces of oil, maybe tanked at the auto machine shop. Then use a dremel and cut a V, on the outside of the manifold, down the length of the crack and liberally fill it with J-B Weld and let it cure. I doubt this would hold for long if this were to be bolted onto the stock exhaust manifold because of heat. But since you have headers it may be worth a try, especially considering my past experiences with J-B Weld. I think it could very easily be a good workable temporary solution while searching for a replacement intake. You wouldn't be out much, just your time and an exhaust manifold.

Don
 
The crack was caused by heat from the stock exhaust manifold. Have the int manifold cleaned and weld-repaired. The crack will not come back now that the exh header has replaced the stock ex manifold.

The crack is a consistent problem. The original symptom was intermittent. Fix the crack and it will run better, but the crack is not the only issue in this instance.
 
Have the int manifold cleaned and weld-repaired. .

So welding won't warp the manifold? That concern was why I didn't bring up that suggestion. Good to know.

Don
 
Prolly wouldn't hurt to have the milled surfaces of the intake machined after it is repaired. That would also eliminate the possibility of a warped face creating an intake leak. Is it possible, Jim, that this crack is growing under heat and giving the semblance of an intermittent problem? IE the crack grows once hot giving more trouble than at cold idle? Definitely get that manifold repaired or replaced. What year is your current set up? I have a spare intake if it comes to that for you......,.
 
I have a 78 smogged 2F. It has headers, but I do not know what kind they are. I was hoping someone could tell me. Since it has headers the heat from them will not cause the IM to crack again like the stock exhaust (thanks for the info in that Jim...I was wondering. So I dont need the plate to keep heat off of the IM....)

I would like to fix this and maybe paint it up and maybe even the EX manifolds too.

I get that this is a constant problem and the idling/dying issue is interment, but I cant help but think this could be a big issue. However, I did take my carb off and clean it as Jim instructed. We'll see how it turns out.

If I take off the EX manifold I will have to replace the gasket. Do you all recommend the Remflex some people are talking about on the forum....or does it matter.

LambCrusher...I may take you up on the offer for the spare IM you have. We'll see how this truns out tonight....

Thanks for the input.

Randy
 
I had had a cracked intake just like yours welded in 1990 - still going strong today, 75K miles later. Running headers would probably make the manifold's life easier, not harder. A professional welding shop should have no problem welding that crack. IMO, JB Weld is not a good long-term repair. I also agree with Jim C that the crack is not your only running problem/issue, based my '78 FJ40 experience with this.
 
Your headers look like JT Outfitters 6 into 1 to me...
TLCHEADER800.jpg
 
Prolly wouldn't hurt to have the milled surfaces of the intake machined after it is repaired. That would also eliminate the possibility of a warped face creating an intake leak. Is it possible, Jim, that this crack is growing under heat and giving the semblance of an intermittent problem? IE the crack grows once hot giving more trouble than at cold idle? Definitely get that manifold repaired or replaced. What year is your current set up? I have a spare intake if it comes to that for you......,.

If you do this, get the header flange milled too. They need to match.
 
Well I am going to take the IM to a welder to have it fixed. Since I was not doing anything else and my wife was watching the bachelor, I decided to take the headers off too. Here are some pics. Looks like Sub is right. Looks like JT headers when you compare the pictures....

Here is a pic of the block with everything off. Is that burning on the gasket normal? When I replace the gasket should I go with the remflex, or do you all have any suggestions? I will also take everything and get it milled too. I know this may not solve the problem...but it will help. Should I do anything else while I have this torn down this far?
headers.webp
engine block.webp
 
That burning is a clear sign of leakage past the gasket. I would use a Remflex manifold gasket to properly seal your intake and exhaust.
 
Fixed Intake Manifold- All is well!

Had my Brother in law's buddy weld up the crack. Waited for the Remflex gasket from Amazon.com (iron giant ntot selling anymore) and painted the IM and headers. Put it all back together per Manual.

Started right up. Idled perfectly. Drove it around the block and then up on the Highway. EVERYTHING is working how it should. I am keeping my fingers crossed and going to drive it around a bit this week, but I believe the cracked IM was the problem and it is FIXED!!! But I also cleaned the carb as jim suggested and replaced the gasket with obvious signs of leakage.....could be I fixed many of the issues in this project.

Thanks to all for the help. I am pumped that I get to move to one of the 500 other things that need to be fixed! What an addiction....

PS. Since I have headers on this I only used the Remflex gasket that goes against the engine block.... i have IM to stock exhaust gasket and like three other pieces if anyone is interested....

Randy
headers and IM.webp
intake fixed.webp
 
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Excellent, happy cruisin' :cheers:
 
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