Question: Exhaust Manifold Replacement

[u2bdet]

Hi guys , found my drivers side manifold had a crack just above the flange ...I had planned on replacing them anyway , I got a set of 81 manifolds , took them to the welder and had the tubes cut down flush and welded closed ,additionally had the flanges re-welded .
Now for my question ...replacing them ... from the top ...bottom ... or off to a muffler shop for some $$??? Any tips / secrets would be greatly appreciated.I changed out the exhaust system last year to tru-duals (magnaflo set up) and it was a royal PITA with the car up on stands :ugh

Neal

 

[bill81vette]

I took mine out a few years ago,
If I remember correctly,I too them out from the top,but you still need access underneath to remove the exhaust bolt from the flanges.
Good Luck!!!

 

[TimAT]

erd:

Put new studs in the new manifolds, get the tall style brass nuts, a new donuts and sleeves, and a new gasket for the heat riser. Don't worry about snapping the studs on the old manifolds, unless you have a torch, they'll probably snap anyway. (sometimes they snap even getting them red-hot!). Soak the manifold to head bolts for a couple of days and go for it. Don't forget- if they've never been off before, they'll have french locks on the ends. Put it all back together with anti-seize for later.

 

[u2bdet]

This sounds like fun!!:eyerole I've been looking for the manifold studs ..some show a bolt and some have the stud/nut listed , which is easier or preferred ??

Thanks again guys... I just finished the new interior gonna post pics soon ....
BTW if it wasnt for this forum I think there would have been a FOR SALE sign on her long ago !!!

Neal

 

[Peer81]

For me changing the studs was about the hardest thing I did on my Corvette. btw, the manifolds were still on the car when I did this. I don't know which is best, but as long as they are new it would be a big big improvement!

Greetings Peter

 

[TimAT]

I like using studs. Always seemed to me like bolts tended to loosen themselves up and cause a leak. My $.02