Denny, as promised here is a pic after I got the heat riser out showing the two bushings. I believe these to be original.
The one on the right was the one that was worn half into.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/...xhaust%20Riser%20Damper%20repair%202.jpg Probably because its the side where the weight is. I had to persuade the other one to come out but still came out intact.
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/...pe/Exhaust%20Riser%20Damper%20repair.jpgI got a stick of 5/16" rod and plan to press the old rusted rod out that is pressed into the weight. Then put new bushings in the manifold.
*** Trying to find 5/16 bushings is a joke around my little town. I can drill out the manifold holes to size if need but try finding a brass bushing here with the 5/16 ID! I even looked at the door bushings at the parts house but no luck. I might make me a couple out of a piece of pipe or some kind of tubing. Dang, all I need is two.
*** for those wondering, I took my small dremel tool with a cut off wheel and cut the weld holding the "tongue" to the rod. There was carbon build up UNDER the little rod that dang near welded the two pieces together! Once the welds were cut I took my big ball peen hammer and smacked hard on the end and it fell out. Hey, I thought about using a couple pop rivers to attach the tongue to the rod. I'll probably burn it up using my old stick welder!! The kicker is that the "heat spring" is $17.50 plus shipping. Hmm, maybe I need to just thread it and put an allen head screw in the holes?!
