Cracked Manifold?

[jslot]

Is this a common problem?

Can this be repaired (bodged) without taking it off?

Does it point to any other underlying issues?

[jslot]

I'll speak to a welder at work on Friday.

Is this cast iron?

[jmc330i]

Cast iron yes.

I have seen them repaired, but you'll probably need to remove it to do a decent job. And if you're going to remove it, just replace it with a non cracked one.

[maxfield]

It is cast iron, when you come to start welding it there's every chance it will warp the manifold.

As said above, if you're going to remove it you might as well replace it with a good one. Taking it off can be a task, get some WD40 on the nuts/studs a few days in advanced.

[jslot]

Thanks. Gonna speak to an experienced welder. Based on all the stories of snapped studs, I'm really hoping he will give it a go in situ, if it warps then it will have to come off anyway.

[jimmyspeed]

If it can't be drilled at both ends off the crack welding will be useless

[jslot]

If it can't be drilled at both ends off the crack welding will be useless

Is that that to stop the crack propagating?

Where it is I imagine can be drilled. What are we talking 5mm or something bigger?

[jimmyspeed]

Yeah that's right, 5mm should be fine it really wants the crack cut out between the holes too. For a permanent fix and without seeing it, i'd say it needs to come off

[jslot]

Well I've just had a closer look at the nuts / studs. The one at cyl 6 top was loose, unscrewed from head with my fingers. I can feel that cyl 5 lower is also loose.

I though I would have a go on this stud and nut in the vice to see if it would turn or shear. Well it sheared very easily, I probably could have sheared it with bare hands.

I will be replacing it. It needed new heat shield anyway. I have already started soaking the nuts in WD40.

Are 320 and 325 manifolds the same? Is the flange where it mounts to the exhaust the only concern?