Heat riser: delete, or live with a small exh leak?

[cheezypoof]

'86 2F

I'm refreshing the manifolds to fix exhaust and vacuum leaks (a couple of bad spots around the gasket, also a small but noticeable leak around the forward heat riser bushing/spring). I have everything disassembled, I tested the heat riser and it still works, also no cracks in the intake manifold so that's good. I'm debating 2 options:

1) put everything back together stock and live with the small leak around that spring - I mean, it's probably been that way for 25 years

2) the manifolds need to go to a machine shop anyway, I could ask them to delete the heat riser and plug the holes (I guess weld them?). Then re-assemble with a block-off plate (truck is stored in the winter, I'm rarely driving in sub 40deg temps).

Feels like a coin flip to me... thoughts?

 

[OSS]

The machine shop that used to do all the manifold work for TLC4x4 would remove every heat control valve in every 2F manifold that came through their shop whether it was working or not.
40 year old heat control valves are a disaster in the making.

I think that’s your answer.
(Get rid of it).

 

[cheezypoof]

Thanks @OSS! That's very helpful. Do you know if that shop welded, or tapped/plugged the holes?

 

[OSS]

Thanks @OSS! That's very helpful. Do you know if that shop welded, or tapped/plugged the holes?

They tapped & plugged mine.