Not another manifold question...

[CruiserMax]

I think I am going to have my carb rebuilt on my desmogged 1978 FJ40. My exhaust manifold has issues as well. The heat riser, butterfly valve and rod rusted out on me. I ended up yanking it, tapping both holes and inserting metric bolts where the rod used to slide through the lower section of the manifold(just above the header pipe). I would like to replace this exhaust manifold though. My options are replace with another cruiser manifold or install a header. Any thoughts on a good header? ALSO: are there any differences between a federal 77 and a 78 stock exhaust manifold???

This is my January project: to upgrade my driveway(previous owner) desmog hackjob into a well running non-USA-spec cruiser...

TIA,

Max

 

[mattg]

Max,

You'll probably get a variety of opinions on this. If you haven't already, check the archives.

I don't like headers personally. Between warped flanges, extra noise, extra heat, and sometimes poor exhaust pipe attachments, they just don't seem worth the extra 10hp. I've got experience with the Man-A-Fre 6-1 header (possibly an older style though) and the SOR 2 piece header.

Matt

 

[bjowett]

Why not use the 3FE exhaust manifolds? Do they fit.... far better design than the carbed w/ riser.

 

[mattg]

3FE manifolds have a thicker flange than the 2F intake manifolds I belive. Thicker than F intake flange for sure, don't have a 2F to compare...

Matt

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I've been very happy with my Downey header on my 79. I haven't had any issues with leaks after I replaced several of the bolts to the head with studs. That and a hard copper style collector gasket and i've been good to go. I think i'm going on about 10-12k miles now with no leaks. I used to have it apart on a monthly basis with my old setup, which was an older downey header that cracked after like 10 years. I think the studs vs. bolts really did the trick.

 

[CruiserMax]

I am not firm on this: but I think I am going to look for a 77-79 2f stock exhaust manifold with a heat riser in good working order. I will probably get the two manifolds machined together as a unit and install them with the stock Toyota gasket. Then find a carb fan, get carb rebuilt, timing done and adjust distributor etc... See how it all goes anyway. My carb runs like crap at the moment. I have no heat riser and I am sure that 25 years of crud in the carb is causing me grief. A previous owner desmogged the rig and I am sure that did not do the carb any good as the stock carb was designed to work with all that factory emissions stuff to be there.

Max