anyone got tips on restoring stock exhaust manifolds?

[88Jimmy4x4]

I'm in the process of installing an engine in my 76. I have a set of hooker headers for it, however Im not happy with the way the spark plug wires are looking on the driver side, seems one tube bend will require a straight boot and others 90deg angled...not acceptable imo.

Anyway...Im considering just restoring my original manifolds, or I need advice on a different mfg headers to use.

any advice on coating that works or other headers to try? (I really could use it)

[bitchin85]

id do what i have to to make the headers work but as for the manifolds, sandblast and paint with a few coats of high heat paint

[Tx Firefighter]

If you want to do it right, you can either use POR brand manifold coating or have them ceramic coated. Either will look great and last a very long time. High heat rattle can paint does not last in the long run. It all depends on how picky you are and how committed ($) you are to them looking good.

[88Jimmy4x4]

I was dead set on headers until I got my plug wires today and was test fitting them. On the pass side theres one tube thats in the way. These are new and can be returned for other set or just restore stock manifolds. I hate to lose the performance, but I have sank so much money into this that looks is just as important to me.

heres some pics of what were working on for reference







engine specs


Small Block Chevy cylinder heads. Casting number is 3998993. The heads are dated C1373 & C2673 (March 13, 1973 & March 26, 1973). Heads have 76cc combustion chambers with 1.94 intake and 1.50 exhaust valves with a 3 angle valve job.

Block was bored .030 over and fully machined one piece rear main seal

Sealed power performance Hypereutectic Dome Pistons for 9.6:1 compression

Crane Powermax Cam .440”/.454” lift and 266/272 degree duration (good for low end)

B&M 2000 RPM TQ Converter

Roller tip Rocker Arms

Melling hi-volume oil pump

Miloden oil pan

Double roller timing chain

ARP bolts for everything, nothing old used.

GMPP Harmonic Balancer (ZZ4)

GMPP water pump (ZZ4)

HD flex plate

and Yezzi's truck made me consider the stock manifolds

[88Jimmy4x4]

better pic, you can see how the spark plug is trapped between to header tubes.

[geezer#99]

Keep the headers. Use 90* boots on the plugs. Use some good wire seperators and run the wires down towards the pan and up the back like they did on the older motors and corvettes. Neat and clean with no burned wires too.

[88Jimmy4x4]

Thanks I never thought about that, damn good idea. The wires are cut to fit so hopefully they will be long enough. I will test fit it that way today....thanks for that.

I just got the new ceramic end accel wire kit with 90 deg ends 9001c delivered yesterday.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Accel/110/9001...ductId=1184474

[88Jimmy4x4]

Thanks again for the advice, plug wires are plenty long. I found the original corvette oil pan brackets and block brackets at www.corvettecentral.com and ordered them today. This should work great in combination with my seperators.

part numbers are 471142 for oil pan and 471143 for block brackets






I will update thread with pics once I get the brackets delivered and installed in case someone else runs into this same issue.

[geezer#99]

Much better. Clean on top. No clutter. Shows off your covers better. Did you know the front 2 plug wires are supposed to fit behind the motor mount. You might not have enough length to do that though.
Lookin' good!!!

[88Jimmy4x4]

yup much better, damn good idea you had. I took the motor mounts into consideration and the plug wires are plenty long (cut to fit) and draped over the back of my engine stand. Plus I have one of those new style dist caps that corrects the layout on top which will help.

once I get the corvette brackets and motor mount brackets installed I will clamp them with the seperators for mock-up then remove and install the engine, that way it will be sized and easly reinstalled.

thanks again for pointing out the obvious and best solution that I overlooked...lol...I owe you one

[geezer#99]

Old Guys Rule!!
Or is that Old Guys Drool!!
LOL!!!
Happy to help!!

[USSkoval]

Hmm, I could have used this info a couple years ago. I must have had the exact same hooker headers, but I settled for the one odd plug wire. I hated to do that because I'm very particular about tidy plug wires, but it was just a mud/trail truck.

[3r!c84]

here is what i made for my plug wires. clean and easy oh and cheap

[3r!c84]

the forward two fit well where they are. not even close to the headers. and all of the ends are 90deg heads

[88Jimmy4x4]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

here is what i made for my plug wires. clean and easy oh and cheap

looks great......got pics of the drivers side?...thats the side that gave me trouble, for some reason the pass side is bent differently

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by 88Jimmy4x4

looks great......got pics of the drivers side?...thats the side that gave me trouble, for some reason the pass side is bent differently

here

Posted via Mobile Device

[88Jimmy4x4]

Ya see mine fit ALOT loser to the flange than yours do. If mine were like yours this thread wouldn't exist LOL.