The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fenton headers with intake manifold heating

I was watching this pair of Fenton headers on ebay with interest. I didn't realize they were once upon a time cast with the intake heating connection. I wonder why the folks who do the current repro's didn't incorporate this? It's probably the only thing keeping me from using the current non heated versions. All the adapters I have seen seem kludgy at best. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=360058226952

The "modern" Fenton dual-exhaust manifolds have a threaded port in each header (for tubes to connect to a heater plate on the intake manifold).

Many people plug the holes in the Fenton headers and use a water heated intake manifold.

The way I understand it, the reason that the new ones don't have the heat provision is so that the same rear casting can be used on Chevy and GMC. There w=has been debate on which is better, water or exhaust for heat. I won't knock either way. I ran mine with no heat at all for some time, and performance was very good, but I am in the process of adding exhaust heat to mine, fabricating my own lines and plate. Did consider water heat, but didn't want to drill into my pump for water ports or remove the manifold to weld up the core plugs in it. I did test run with the plate and lines I made, it did improve it some, but right noe, I have to redo it as there is a gasket leak (that's what I get for making my own copper gasket) and a minir linkeage problem (sticking, same as gasket, that's what I get for fabbing y own ).

i recently purchased an adapter from langdon's stovebolt to put under the thermpstat housing for water heat. the manifold heat worked but plugged up. without heat it bulked at start aup and didn't run well. ron

I was bidding on those manifolds. Somebody really wanted them. After paying more than $350 they still have to be repaired. I'm using the later version with water heat. I'd prefer to have heat sooner than is available from my thermostat. I always assumed the exhaust heat would leak and make noise. I may make the switch if I ever get my truck back from the engine builder.

The biggest reason why I don't like the tube style heat from each header to the plate under the intake manifold is that it deadens the crisp sound of the exhaust. The tubes allow the exhaust from each side to be mixed, thus deadening the crisp sound of a 216-235-261. The tubes become equalizers for the exhaust system. The headers with the built in heat box keep the sides separate, as does the water heated method.
Joe

I didn't notice a difference in the sound of mine, other than the puff from the leaky gasket. But then again, I'm using what looks to me to be a much smaller tube size that what comes in the exhaust heat kits I've seen. I'm using 3/8" steel brake line, which transfers plenty of heat.