FYI
Alex Sirum carries reconditioned exhaust manifolds for 455 and 403 engines
in stock for $65 each. 941-763-1121 or
www.gmcmh.com I just had mine redone
by Alex last month - sure sounds a lot better - or should I say "doesn't sound"
Mike Finnicum
78 GMC Eleganza II
Naples, FL
>Bill,
>
>I finally located a used exhaust manifold at a local salvage yard. I paid
>$40 for the part then another $40 to have it milled flat. When I got it
>installed I could then hear the left side spitting so I took it off and had
>it milled too. It was worse than the right so the machinist charged me $45
>for it. Our local GMC dealer quoted $225 each so I assume new ones are
>still available. I got everything in and torqued last nite. It sounds
>great but I don't have wheels on the ground yet.
>
>My current crisis is now under control and my present efforts are directed
>towards leaving on vacation so I haven't decided about the longer term.
>Anyway hang onto those manifolds because either I or someone else will be
>needing them. Have the manifolds you have been machined flat recently or
>are they slightly warped like mine were. I don't know if the manifolds I
>have are 23 year old originals or if they have been replaced before.
>
>From what I've read having the manifolds ceramic coated makes them run much
>cooler. This would help lower underhood temperatures as well as well as
>greatly extend the life of the manifolds but it's a major expense over a
>system which has run just fine for more than twenty years. I'll be running
>about 5000 miles over the next two or three weeks. If I don't develop any
>manifold problems I'll probably just put off a decision until the mufflers
>and tail pipe needs replaced then decide what makes most sense at that time.
>At this point I think I have most of the potential reliability factors under
>control but I already have major time and money invested in this old beast
>and haven't even tackled any of the cosmetics yet. Maybe next year I can
>make it pretty!
>
>Some other information that may benefit others--
>
>
>I have also replaced all of the brake lines and hoses. I started before the
>stainless line thread came up so I went conventional, not stainless. I just
>got all of the lines bled last nite. Will be making a test drive very soon.
>
>I replaced the engine oil cooler lines with new ones. When I got the old
>ones off they were deterioriated enough that I could break off the ends with
>my fingers. Had these lines broken on the road it could have been disastrous
>for the engine and possibly have caused a fire. Check these carefully!!
>
>Also on my last test run the engine and undercarriage came back covered with
>oil. The metal lines to the transmission cooler had rusted and developed a
>pinhole leak. This was also a potential disaster in the making so check
>these carefully.
>
>I also made a post sometime ago about poor handling. The coach has Bilstein
>shocks. The ones on the rear were totally shot. The leading right rear wheel
>was actually seized solid and the others were too loose. After calling
>several dealers without gaining any useful information I called Bilstein
>direct. They immediately sent me an entire new set even though I couldn'r
>prove I was the original purchaser. Chalk up some points for Bilstein.
>
>The new shocks improved the quality of the ride dramatically but didn't help
>the handling problem. I checked the rear bushings and everything in the
>front end for looseness and even removed the steering box and tightened it's
>adjustments all without much improvement. I then noticed that the sway bar
>mounts had deteriorated. One of the frame mount bushings was mostly gone and
>the rubber mounts on the ends were deteriorated enough that they were no
>longer tight. I replaced all of this rubber and the handling was much
>improved. Apparently the sway bar shifting can can cause a slight change in
>front end geometry which is just enough to cause handling problems. I've
>only driven about 5 miles so far so I don't know if this is a total cure.
>
>Dick Kennedy
>
>>
>
>>> Dick,
>>>
>>> I installed headers on my rig about two year ago and have both original
>manifolds
>>> in the rafters of the barn.
>>>
>>> I had to replace one about 5 years ago and paid $50 for it in a salvage
yard.
>>>
>>> I'll let you have either or both for $50 each.
>>>
>>> Bill Rush
>>> 73 Canyonlands
>>>
>>> > > I've found a crack in my right side exhaust manifold. I've checked
>several
>>> > > of the local salvage yards and have been unable to locate one locally.
>>> > >>
>>> > > If I have to go the expense of new parts I'd probably want them
>coated but I
>>> > > don't have the time to do that now.
>>> > >>
>>> > > I'd appreciate any help in locating a part and/or hearing any new
>opinions
>>> > > on this subject.
>>> > >
>>> > > Dick Kennedy
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
wner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Thomas G.
