SJ’s Galaxie (was: Car Guess Game)

[Rich B]

Maybe you could modify the new one to fit by cutting the offending bit's out and patching the cuts with some filler?

[Sundayjumper]

Maybe you could modify the new one to fit by cutting the offending bit's out and patching the cuts with some filler?

Funnily enough, you're not too far off

I think my best bet right now is to fit the good l/h manifold and then cut up the old/broken l/h manifold to provide bits to patch up the old r/h manifold. It's all cast iron and needs to be welded quite carefully from what I've read.

The remaining "wrong" manifold is no use to me right now. It's a lot shorter than the RHD version so not simply a matter of bending it a bit.

[nuttinnew]

It all sounds like you'll have to get some tubular ones made to solve the problem.

[mik]

It all sounds like you'll have to get some tubular ones made to solve the problem.

My thoughts exactly - would be worth getting a quote from your local exhaust fabricator - may well be cheaper than you think.*

* unless you think it would be like a fiver or something.

[Sundayjumper]

* unless you think it would be like a fiver or something.

I could stretch to a tenner maybe

But seriously, I don't really want headers, they'll change the character of the car, I want to stay OEM as far as possible.

[Beany]

I'm trying to work out why, if you found details on the RHD manifold dimensions/layouts etc, having them fabbed up with tubes rather than cast iron would change the car particularly? Genuine question.

I suppose the cast fannymoulds could have different shaped paths (oblong as opposed to circular etc) and thicker walls but on the flipside, it would mean you'd have a running car, and a car you can steer, much faster.

You could always take some time finding decent cast manifolds afterwards, and put them on the car and sell the tubular ones to....I dunno, some one else who's as stupid as you and has bought one of these things in an RHD market

That said we are coming up to winter so I expect the car will be mostly put away for a while, so it's not like you're really in any rush...?

[Jimexpl]

* unless you think it would be like a fiver or something.

I could stretch to a tenner maybe

But seriously, I don't really want headers, they'll change the character of the car, I want to stay OEM as far as possible.

Cast manifolds do tend to give a more mellow sound on V8s. I don't know how much of that is down to them collecting to a single pipe early on, or the wall thickness.
Perhap the solution is custom short tube headers?
When I put tubulars on my V8 Landy it still had the smooth sound out the back, but the sound coming from around the engine/manifolds was more 'race car'.

[Sundayjumper]

A tubular manifold that exactly replicates the shape of the cast manifold. Hmm. I’ve never seen such a thing. The cast manifolds are pretty much a single tube across the ports, exiting at the back on the RHS, and in the middle in the LHS. Not even an attempt to create equal paths. But ! I think this is what gives the off-beat woofle noise. Equal headers turn it into a regular beat.

Standard cast manifolds (not mine):

1DDFD718-54A7-4448-94F5-A0B436679BD3.jpeg (34.69 KiB) Viewed 663 times

The cast iron will definitely have a different sound in addition to the different path lengths. Stainless steel has a different sound to mild steel too.

[Sundayjumper]

Anyway. I’ve fitted the l/h manifold and it was surprisingly easy. I was quietly dreading it. I’ve had horrible times with exhausts in the past. But this one, NONE of the bolts were done up properly. All of them were only a smidge over finger tight. Old manifold removed:

34EFC7B8-6712-4F23-98EA-78F89AAC876C.jpeg (161.44 KiB) Viewed 662 times

In addition to the bit that’s broken off there’s a crack that runs almost all the way around it. New manifold in place:

08822B65-640A-4196-BF4E-B78562AF0AC1.jpeg (107.12 KiB) Viewed 662 times

New gaskets about £10 each from an American car specialist in Farnborough. Job jobbed. Until I tackle the r/h side…

[Beany]

A tubular manifold that exactly replicates the shape of the cast manifold. Hmm. I’ve never seen such a thing. The cast manifolds are pretty much a single tube across the ports, exiting at the back on the RHS, and in the middle in the LHS. Not even an attempt to create equal paths. But ! I think this is what gives the off-beat woofle noise. Equal headers turn it into a regular beat.

Standard cast manifolds (not mine):

<snip>

The cast iron will definitely have a different sound in addition to the different path lengths. Stainless steel has a different sound to mild steel too.

Yeah, that's fair. I was thinking more timescale, expense and complexity and burning desire/need, but I imagine you have an idea of that in yer head and can do the math yourself

[mik]

Not even an attempt to create equal paths. But ! I think this is what gives the off-beat woofle noise. Equal headers turn it into a regular beat.

It will certainly be a big contributor.

[jamcg]

Did you fancy a new non Ford engine? Chevy going to start selling a 1000hp naturally aspirated crate motor

https://engineswapdepot.com/?p=78078

[Sundayjumper]

Did you fancy a new non Ford engine? Chevy going to start selling a 1000hp naturally aspirated crate motor

https://engineswapdepot.com/?p=78078

I'm sure it's a very cheap & easy job

[Sundayjumper]

Actual update - the car seems to be running very nicely with its one new manifold & one botched up repaired manifold. Enough that it's not bothering me too much and I'm thinking concentrating on the suspension will give me more bang-for-buck right now. The front upper bushes are utterly shagged. The ball joints probably are too, but they're so caked in grease and dirt that I can't even see which type I need to order !

Small update - the car originally was offered with an optional radio with a single speaker on the top of the dash, an almost obsolete 4" x 10" size. I've bought & fitted a cheapie speaker in there bridged from the left & right channels of the (Becker - obviously) head unit. Sound quality is pretty poor but it somehow suits the atmosphere. I was grooving along to Daydream Believer earlier, cruising along in the sun. Brill