Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 8:56:06 GMT -5
As ya'll are aware, I've recently dealt with some manifold and gasket issues. Well, I'm back. Thought I had a gasket leak. When I took the original manifolds off, they were fine. I cleaned things up on the block and the manifolds. I installed a new gasket. I re-installed the manifolds. I've got the correct concave washers in the correct orientation In the correct locations. I applied 35 foot pounds of torque to the nuts. Fire it up and nothing I did would allow a carb to idle. The carbs don't leak. I investigate and a new manifold leak has appeared. Bummer! The front ear of the front tube of the intake is cracked. Old age, brittle cast iron, I'm thinking.
OK. I've got spares. One is still attached to the smooth-head I'm planning on rebuilding for the '46. Nope. Not ready to sacrifice it. One loose, on the shelf, needs to be drilled and tapped and helicoils inserted in two spots. I don't have time for it. Another on the shelf would need separation from its exhaust manifold and lots of prep work for me to put it on the motor. Nope.
Right behind it is an MB/GPW intake. It's in fine shape. No prep required. I install it. I torque the nuts to 35 foot pounds. I put everything else back on. I begin testing a customer's carb. It won't idle for love nor money. I pull out the ether and check it for leaks. NONE.
This is when I get that sinking feeling, that stone in the pit of the stomach. That weak-in-the-knees time. That "Oh, please no" moment. Spray the ether on the manifold. Zoom goes the motor. Oh, crap. I take out my flashlight and play it over the manifold. Now ya see, the manifold is painted black. But there, at the root of intake manifold's front ear, of the front tube, (the very same location as the old one) is this very thin, but very bright jagged line of bright metal. I think I'll go take a nap. Maybe I need a vacation? I look at the work bench. Four to test and finish. I look at the storage shelf. Five carbs and a fuel pump I have only logged in. Haven't even started on them. Maybe I need a drink.
OK. I've got spares. One is still attached to the smooth-head I'm planning on rebuilding for the '46. Nope. Not ready to sacrifice it. One loose, on the shelf, needs to be drilled and tapped and helicoils inserted in two spots. I don't have time for it. Another on the shelf would need separation from its exhaust manifold and lots of prep work for me to put it on the motor. Nope.
Right behind it is an MB/GPW intake. It's in fine shape. No prep required. I install it. I torque the nuts to 35 foot pounds. I put everything else back on. I begin testing a customer's carb. It won't idle for love nor money. I pull out the ether and check it for leaks. NONE.
This is when I get that sinking feeling, that stone in the pit of the stomach. That weak-in-the-knees time. That "Oh, please no" moment. Spray the ether on the manifold. Zoom goes the motor. Oh, crap. I take out my flashlight and play it over the manifold. Now ya see, the manifold is painted black. But there, at the root of intake manifold's front ear, of the front tube, (the very same location as the old one) is this very thin, but very bright jagged line of bright metal. I think I'll go take a nap. Maybe I need a vacation? I look at the work bench. Four to test and finish. I look at the storage shelf. Five carbs and a fuel pump I have only logged in. Haven't even started on them. Maybe I need a drink.
I have to settle for red wine. I now have two gas welding projects. I broke down and moved to separate the one intake manifold from it's exhaust manifold. Two bolts were left in it. Rusted solid. Copious quantities of PBB and Freeze Off and a brief but warm toasting from a rosebud and I broke the cap off one and was able to extract the other. Too long to separate the in from the out, I had to hacksaw the one remaining now stud to get them apart. There was enough left to grab on with a stud remover, more heat, chemicals and careful steady pressure and it yielded.
