Intake Manifold

[Terry Simpson #43747]

I currently have my 61 intake manifold off for blasting. Any suggestions on if i should have it powder coated of keep original alluminum finish. Hate to have dirt/gas/oil back on the manifold, to hard to keep decent. Thanks

[Peter K.]

Re: Intake Manifold

Bob Kunz would be able to refinish you intake as well. I tried powdercoating mine, and it looked a lot greyer than the original finish. I removed the powdercoat and sent it to Bob for refinishing. The result was much better.

[Joe L.]

Re: Intake Manifold

Terry-----

I know exactly what you're talking about; the nature of natural, sand-cast aluminum manifolds is that they quickly become "stained", "unsightly", and virtually impossible to return to original appearance while installed on the car.

I offer the following:

1) Many aluminum manifolds as they were delivered from the engine plants were actually painted with a more-or-less dull aluminum paint. It was very similar to the "aluminum cast blast" available today. I don't know if 1961 aluminum manifolds were so-painted, though. I suspect that they were not. In any event, the aluminum paint will "seal" the aluminum surface to some degree and make cleaning (or, repainting) easier and more practical;

2) You can use an automotive grade, low gloss or satin clear coat after manifold finish restoration. This will also help "seal" the aluminum finish and make cleaning much easier. Of course, you don't want to do this if judging points are a primary concern. However, for a driven car, I think that it's the way to go. Certain compromises to originality are necessary if one wants to DRIVE as well as show their car.

3) Unless you block off the heat crossover passages, you will always be plagued with discoloration in the crossover area. Usually, I don't recommend the blocking of the heat crossover since it's necessary for the operation of manifold-mounted chokes. However, 1961 did not use a manifold mounted choke. So, I don't see what real harm will be created by blocking off the crossover unless you do a lot of driving in real cold temperatures.

[Gene M.]

Re: Intake Manifold

If you have the heat riser intact, blocking off the passage thru the intake manifold is not a good idea.............

[Joe L.]

Re: Intake Manifold

Gene-----

Definitely. If the crossover is blocked then the heat riser needs to have the butterfly valve removed, be wired open, or removed, altogether, and replaced by a spacer. Removing the butterfly valve allows the valve to remain "operational" from appearances, but dis-functional.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Intake Manifold

1. Google "alodine".

2. Look at aircraft supply catalogs. See how they treat the AL on the airframe skin.

[Gene M.]

Re: Intake Manifold

Joe
The guys have to understand that modifications to the heat riser will result in a PV test failure and is easy to distinguish since exhaust is far less out of the right tail pipe on cold start when everything is as original designed.