If the only thing that was done was to add another exhaust pipe flange, that manifold is junk. The correct way to split an exhaust is to add a divider that almost, but not quite separates the runners into two segments, and add the extra flange to the rear section of the manifold behind the heat riser area. Leave about a 1/4" slot above the divider to allow a little circulation between the two halves while the heat riser is in the "closed" position. The idea is to split the exhaust into sequential pulses that alternate from one pipe to the other. Done right, it creates a very distinctive exhaust note, and just might create a tiny power advantage. It's mostly eye candy to impress at a show and shine. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Now before I suggest anything, I know that several of our members have installed these headers with no notable issues. If you live where it’s hot, this may be the case. If you live where it’s cold and plan to drive in the cold, this will not be the case
Now with that being said, the issue with adding these type headers, is they don’t heat the intake manifold really well like the heat riser does. This can result in drivability issues when the engine is initially heating up due raw gas not being vaporized in the intake manifold by the exhaust heat. This happens pretty fast with the heat riser in the closed position. Once heated, the heat riser closes to prevent overheating.
In addition to the headers, you will need to buy a plate to close off the bottom of the intake manifold. This plate has two ports that you would hook up either heated water from the cooling system or piped directly to the ports on the headers.
Both of these heating systems work to a point but no where near the original heat riser. If you go the water heated route, it takes longer to heat up but is a more even heat. If you heat with the exhaust, the heat is quicker, but with no way of shutting it off.
The best way, is to buy an original corvette exhaust manifold if you can find and afford one. While your at it, get the mating corvette intake manifold with three carburetors. That is the ultimate setup. Be prepared to open your wallet really, really wide!
You can always fabricate one as HRL has suggested OR, Just put on the spare stock manifold you already have!
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
It would be hard to chase me fast enough to give me anybody's aftermarket header system, when it's so simple and inexpensive to split a stock exhaust manifold. That also retains the heat riser system that the engine was designed to have in the first place. The only difficulty is in finding someone who can weld cast iron, if you're not able to do it yourself. Recently, I bought a roll of nickel-alloy MIG welding wire, and I'm going to be experimenting on a few junk manifolds I have sitting around to see if I can do an acceptable job of splitting a manifold that way, rather than using nickel rod and a stick welder. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
I`ll separate the 2 manifolds and headers and take pics of them. I`d be in favor of using the 2 best. The one modified looks like the heat riser was plugged.
BD
1958 3100 Apache Step side 1/2 ton 327 engine 1958 3100 Apache Panel 1/2 ton 235 engine 1959 3100 Apache Panel 1/2 ton 327 engine In Project Journals
Here are my choices. The blue manifold looks good. The 2 headers both have issues. The original ,(no extra flange) just needs to free up the heat riser. Fingers crossed. And 2 mounting bolts for the pipe. The modded one has no heat riser and pretty well pitted. Maybe more problems. Any good options there?
Last edited by Guitplayer; Sat Jun 10 2023 02:54 PM.
BD
1958 3100 Apache Step side 1/2 ton 327 engine 1958 3100 Apache Panel 1/2 ton 235 engine 1959 3100 Apache Panel 1/2 ton 327 engine In Project Journals