Cast Iron + Stupdity = Failure
 

Just today I realized I had a crack in the Simmons intake manifold that
I had bolted on my '31 roadster. Long story short: I was trying to save metal on the intake. By spacing it away from the exhaust. Using a thin spacer between where the manifolds bolt together. Leveling the intake/exhaust port areas where they bolt to the engine block. See the latest issue of The Restorer page 55 on how I did this. And, it worked. However, I forgot to compensate for the thichnesses of the "ears" on the two separate manufactured manifolds! The differences in the ear thicknesses caused the crack when I torqued down on the clamping washer/nut. The reason why I was doing this. Was so if I ever wanted to change exhaust manifolds. It would be better to grind the $50 part (exhaust manifold) vs the $350 intake manifold. Leaving more metal on the intake for any future changes. I also have a Simmons on my '29 roadster and have had no problems with it. I did use a new repop exhaust manifold with it. When bolted toegther there was only a minimum of differences in the spacing of the ports up against the engine block. So I didn't even bother leveling them. The manifold gasket compensating for the minute differences.

I've got feelers out to my buddies hoping I can find a welder who can fix this very stupid problem I created. It has definitely ruined my day, week, month, etc.:(:mad:

Bob-A:o

Re: Cast Iron + Stupdity = Failure
 

The cupped manifold washers are supposed to compensate for that?

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpo...0&postcount=26

and

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpo...31&postcount=5

Re: Cast Iron + Stupdity = Failure
 

Mike,

My original message was a short version of what caused the crack. I left out the part about that I also did not level the two manifolds together at first installation on the car. The differences in the space between the manifolds and engine block were insignificant or so I thought. The differences in this spacing combined with the intake/exhaust "ear" thickness differences. Probably worked together to cause the crack. At least that is what I am thinking.

Bob-A:(

Re: Cast Iron + Stupdity = Failure
 

forever4, A PM has been sent.

Re: Cast Iron + Stupdity = Failure
 

Bob-A, if misery loves company, I just got through putting a new $265 manifold on my 361 for a similar screw up. Its a sick feeling when you pop something and the revelation that you know what you did comes about a second later.

Re: Cast Iron + Stupdity = Failure
 

wbedwards,

My misery I wouldn't want company to have in any shape or form. I'm glad you were able to replace your screw up. I've got a line on replacing mine too. Good luck to both of us that we will not do it again!

Bob-A