cracked ex manifold or gasket

Instead of worrying about marketing hype, search the internet for real dyno comparisons. Or you can search for a rolled Nascar car photo, where you can see the stepped exhaust. Understanding the whole concept of keeping the air moving, the concept makes sense.

BTW: When, not if :) the bolts break off that hold the donut, most auto parts stores carry the equivalent of a miniature C-clamps to bolt it back together, so you don't have to drill out the old bolt.

Daveinet wrote:
When I first bought my coach, I found the original manifolds were cracked on my coach. One could see the cracks easily, which made me wonder why they cracked where they did. At that time, I pulled them off and welded them. That sort of worked for a while. But as time wore on, the gaskets began to leak and burn spark plug wires regularly. That is when I finally gave up and installed headers. I would also suggest that donuts tend to be another point of leaking as well.

If you do choose to go with headers, I would recommend Tri-Y. They will have a broader power band than your standard 4 single tube header. The second issue will be to choose a straight through muffler, such as Magnaflows. I played around with several different mufflers, and it makes a huge difference to choose the right thing. Without a good flowing muffler, your money on the headers will wasted.

thanks for the suggestion, but after looking at those headers I believe I can do better as far as value, I'm not convinced that that type of header will give better performance (that I could feel)than any other header (long tube). The problem with marketing a product is you or I will never be able to put our engine on a dyno to know what really is happening with a performance product, I have been through that a hundred times with so called better products. Just my 2 cents

well i cant seem to see a sign of leaking or cracks on the manifolds, however I did grab the exhaust pipes and they move around quite easily at the donuts, they seem loose.. I'm going to give that a shot today if the nuts will come off

When I first bought my coach, I found the original manifolds were cracked on my coach. One could see the cracks easily, which made me wonder why they cracked where they did. At that time, I pulled them off and welded them. That sort of worked for a while. But as time wore on, the gaskets began to leak and burn spark plug wires regularly. That is when I finally gave up and installed headers. I would also suggest that donuts tend to be another point of leaking as well.

If you do choose to go with headers, I would recommend Tri-Y. They will have a broader power band than your standard 4 single tube header. The second issue will be to choose a straight through muffler, such as Magnaflows. I played around with several different mufflers, and it makes a huge difference to choose the right thing. Without a good flowing muffler, your money on the headers will wasted.

Last trip out west in high temp we cracked the left and right one. The right one was cracked in 3 places and felt apart in pieces when removed.

That was the trigger to replace with the Banks torque tube. I saw no use for the complete system.

Anyhow very satisfied

Banks

Deano56 wrote:

Big Katuna wrote:
You don't state year. I never had any problems with my 454. Ford 460; LOTS. I investigated Banks but my mechanic talked me out of it. $2000 for a system compared to a few hundred for a motor home I knew I wasn't keeping, I am glad he talked me out of it. Stock manifolds with copper gaskets and studs worked fine. Headers won't turn that sows ear into a silk purse.

1990

I've installed headers on many a vehicle over the years, always a worthwhile dollar spent for improved preformance

Big Katuna wrote:
You don't state year. I never had any problems with my 454. Ford 460; LOTS. I investigated Banks but my mechanic talked me out of it. $2000 for a system compared to a few hundred for a motor home I knew I wasn't keeping, I am glad he talked me out of it. Stock manifolds with copper gaskets and studs worked fine. Headers won't turn that sows ear into a silk purse.

1990

Daveinet wrote:
You really want the manifolds to be completely cracked and worthless. It is much easier to convince DW that you need to buy headers if the manifolds are actually cracked, rather than just leaking.

haha, yes if they are cracked I will just go with headers

You don't state year. I never had any problems with my 454. Ford 460; LOTS. I investigated Banks but my mechanic talked me out of it. $2000 for a system compared to a few hundred for a motor home I knew I wasn't keeping, I am glad he talked me out of it. Stock manifolds with copper gaskets and studs worked fine. Headers won't turn that sows ear into a silk purse.

You really want the manifolds to be completely cracked and worthless. It is much easier to convince DW that you need to buy headers if the manifolds are actually cracked, rather than just leaking.