The manifold on my talon is cracked right down the middle. I tried JB Weld but... as I now know it can't take the heat. I don't think removing the manifold will be an easy option (severely rusted bolts) Is there anything I can use that is of the epoxy genre?

Thanks

 

i'd weld it or replace it, i doubt you'll find any magical fixes in a tube

 

yeah, your best bet would be to find a way and remove it for welding. Chances are you will have to have the sealing surface reground, because it's probably warped. I would get a can of penitrating oil and soak the hell out of the bolts just give them a good shot eveyday and at the end of the week try breaking them loose. I'm not sure what a shop would charge for welding up a manifold but as far as resurfacing it it should cost around 20 bucks, if you can find a machine shop that has this set up. Other wise it could cost you around 80. Or use this as an excuse to get a set of headers.

 

I did find one company that makes a ceramic adhesive that would do the trick. Their pint size tub was $60.


I am going to try and braze the area that is visible tonight. I would love to just replace it at this point, but the 1G DSM's are nutorious for cracked manifolds so they are hard to find. I even toyed with the idea of buying a cheap header for it but I am not sure if I can find one in the price range I am willing to spend on the car.

 

I'm not sure if brazing is strong enough for this type of work. I'm no expert on welding but this is just what I've heard, especially if it's cracked in 2. I still think you would be better off having it welded. Chances are pretty good that because it's cracked and depending on how long it's been in this condition that it's warped, which means even if you succeed in patching the crack you'll still have an exhaust leak. For the same price that your about to pay for that epoxy, you could probably have it done the right way for the same price. The hardest part though is getting the bolts loose. Some penitrating oil should take care of those. Is the manifold cracked all the way around?? This is the impression I got when I first read this. Would it come apart in 2 seperate pieces if you removed it from the head??

 

Part of the dilema that I am having at the moment is that the car failed emissions... that was almost 2 months ago now. (As you can see this car is on a meticulous maintenance scedule) My Formula is awaiting new spacers from Andris who is custom fabbing for me. I can't take the manifold off until the Formula is back on the road.... hense me leaning towards at least a quick on-car fix.

The manifold is not "entirely" in 2 peices. I say entirely because I can't see if the crack carries onto the backside where I can't see. I can see some white discoloration much like where the crack ends on the front side. So, it is pretty close to being 2 peices but not quite.... for now.

Do you think some duct tape will work?

 

The handyman's secret weapon...

 

Well ok, now I see why your trying to go the way you are. I don't know much about epoxies. I tried some of that JB weld once before on an exhaust stud with no luck, wound up having to remove the head and having it helicoiled. How bad did you fail smog?? I just had mine done and actually managed to lower my results from the last time I had it done. Some of the things you can do to lower your SMOG results are change the oil, air filter, and check PCV. A lot of people don't realize that changing the oil can help lower emisions. Also maybe changing the spark plugs would help. Or you could even try some of that stuff they sell at Kragen that you pour in your gas tank which is suppose to help lower emisions for a SMOG test.

 

Well, I was able to braze the front side of the manifold. It's certainly not a prize winning job but it worked. The downside is that I definitely have to get to the back side of the manifold... it still leaks.


I failed the NOX(?) by 15 ppm, i didn't miss it by much. I know I passed the first one but failed the second. The guy also told me I had an exhaust leak. Mr. Technition said that he "pressure tested the system and there is a leak near the muffler" If I see him next time I am going to slap him.

Thanks for the help.