Fix or replace

[Specialdeluxe47]

Just got my intake back from the blaster and it is cracked. Can it be welded/Brazed or do I need to replace it?

[41/53dodges]

i would try to fix it myself, what do you have to lose?

A: welding fails, you are down one manifold

B: dont fix, you are down one manifold

C: welding works, you have a butt-ugly manifold that works

[Plymouthy Adams]

that is a call you need to make..they can be repaired by drilling a hole at the very end of the crack...this is a must to prevent further cracking..you can then have it welded by a good welder using proper cast iron welding tecniques or you can do it your self and braze it with a bronze fluxed coated rod..the cast iron approach would be my recommendation but I have had excellent results with bronze also...

Edited March 5, 2011 by Tim Adams

[Dodgeb4ya]

How deep are the cracks? The casting needs to be pre-heated and prepped properly. You need to be a skilled welder to do a professional job. Manifolds are not too hard or expensive to find. I'd replace it.

Bob

[RobertKB]

Replace.

[JBNeal]

fwiw, my intake on the '48 cracked where the bolts screw in from the exhaust manifold. There is a welding & machine shop a stone's throw from the house, and they charged me $30 to stitch up the cracks, as they have several guys who weld machined flanges to cast iron pipes for the oil & gas industry. They also welded a busted ear on my transmission where the parking brake bolts to the top plate. If you can find someone through a machine shop capable of doing cast iron welding, let them give it a shot.

[Specialdeluxe47]

Thanks for the advice I will look in to some to weld it for me to see what the cost is.

[Merle Coggins]

Maybe look into a places like these.

http://www.castironrepair.com/

http://www.locknstitch.com/

http://customcastrepair.com/

found them by searching "cast iron repair

Merle

[Specialdeluxe47]

Thanks for the info. I will go by and see a professional welder tomorrow.