Question: 81 Exhaust Manifolds

[JediDad]

Hello All,
I broke a stud on my drivers side manifold so I want to replace it. My question is: is there a right and left side manifold, or are they interchangable?

I hope so, cause I just bought one off Ebay that came off the passenger side. Both manifolds look exactly the same though. Any insight would be appreciated!!

John.

 

[Dave L.]

They are not interchangeable...for one thing the exhaust pipe mounting flanges are different.

 

[JediDad]

Yes I see it now. The bolts are different too. Oh well, good thing it was cheap.

Rats!! Foiled again . . .

 

[6880 Mike]

Replace the broken stud.

 

[Tom Bryant]

I had to replace the AIR check valves several years ago and broke a couple of studs getting the pipes off. I just took them to a friend with a welding torch and heated them cherry red. Then they screwed right out. Replaced all six of them. Use brass nuts when you put the pipes back on this time.

Tom

 

[bill81vette]

Last year I had to tighten the right side of mine,as it leaked when it started up broke all 3 studs....ad
needless to say drilled them all out and put in new with some nevr-seez on them for next time... tightened up the other side while I was at it all three are still OEM...go figure????:confused

 

[JediDad]

It's good to know that those bolts will come out. I know the earlier years do, I even bought a bolt set for the hell of it, but the 81 assembly manual shows the manifold and bolts as a complete assembly.

I am going to pull the manifold in the next week or so and see what I can do with it. Thanks for all the replies.