The Ford Barn

Greg Jones · 01-17-2015, 06:57 PM

I am sorting out a number of issues with my "new" 54 Victoria. Not the least of the issues is a cracked drivers side exhaust manifold as shown in the picture. I knew about it when I bought it so no surprise but want to replace it. All of the exhaust manifold bolts were overtightened so I can see how he cracked it. What is a good source for 292 manifolds? I haven't started looking yet. By the way, the guy I bought this from got the 292 from a later car (a 56 donor car I believe). Obviously it is not a 1954 292 as they didn't make them yet.

scicala · 01-17-2015, 07:47 PM

The manifold on you're engine is the type used on passenger cars in 1954, '55 and '56. In 1957 they made it wider and more flat on top (better flow).

I would post a "wanted add" on the Ford Barn in the "swap meet" section, or check EBAY. I see them on there frequently.

paul2748 · 01-17-2015, 08:19 PM

I see these on ebay all the time. Make sure you don't get a Tbird drivers side, they are different (and expensive)

If you don't already belong, two sites are good for 54 stuff and Yblock parts. One is 1954.com and the other is y-blocksforever.com

miker98038 · 01-17-2015, 08:23 PM

You might also try over at y-blocksforever.com. There was a set available a few days ago. If you're thinking about moderate performance upgrades, try to find Ted Eaton's article on exhaust testing. He did every header he could get his hands on, and I think the stock manifolds also. Eaton Balancing.

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/To....aspx#bm111732

Oops, Paul posted while I was typing.

Found it

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic55379.aspx

estout81 · 01-18-2015, 07:48 PM

When you replace the manifolds be sure to clean the mating surfaces good and install with NO gaskets.

SSsssteamer · 01-18-2015, 11:18 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by estout81

When you replace the manifolds be sure to clean the mating surfaces good and install with NO gaskets.

Ditto. The gaskets insulate the manifold from the heads and the manifolds overheat and grow faster than the head, resulting in cracks. I wish that they would leave the exhaust manifold gaskets out of the Y block gasket sets.

y'sguy · 01-19-2015, 01:19 PM

An additional thing I've found is the use of studs instead of bolts. I actually use what are called "set screw" bolts that have an allen head. Helps to equal out the torque and prevent all of the pressure in the one area. Not stock of course if that concerns you. I also find it make it easier to install the manifold. JMO

Nice car, Love the color. grew up around one much like that.

blucar · 01-30-2015, 12:45 PM

I have a very nice set of '55-56 292 exhaust manifolds.. I bought them many years ago for spares for my '57 312 Bird. I found out last year that they would not fit a 57, I had Larry's T-Bird in So Cal weld my broken manifold.. Perfect job.
PM if you are interested in my manifolds...

JeffB2 · 01-30-2015, 01:50 PM

Since more than a few guys have been down this road,your clutch linkage has been modified to make those fit my suggestion is to Google the Ford code number so you will get another exact match or this option which fits really well:http://reds-headers.net/index.php?ma...979af890ce2f62

Ole Don · 01-31-2015, 10:41 AM

If you can find an old grey haired welder near you, ask him to weld it. I have gas welded broken manifolds.

JeffB2 · 01-31-2015, 06:34 PM

You could repair it,lot's of videos on how it's done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yopcz-IYDyQ

Ole Don · 01-31-2015, 07:48 PM

That is really cool. I was taught by a guy who repaired broken blocks during WWII when parts were not available. He used cast iron rod, it was square, about 1/4 inch. He prepared it the same as in this movie. He used a fresh can of Lewis Lye for flux. Then use big fire, a large tip, and that did some pre-heat. It works great. It is not nearly as fast, but it looks about the same when finished.

y'sguy · 01-31-2015, 09:24 PM

About a year ago a good friend and mechanic offered to have one of my tbird ex. manifolds welded. It was heat cracked, in the middle area. His company welds and repairs heay CAT equipment, heads and blocks etc, where it has to be cost effective to do so. However they said the iron content of the manifold they worked on for me was very bad and contaminated and would take many passes but could be made to function, but not be pretty. So we opted to not fix it. Too much weld build up. They use a Spray welding process. If the part had been that hard to find I would have done it, but in this case would not have been something I would want to run on my car.

Lancer · 02-02-2015, 07:30 PM

I would have it brazed up and use it. I'm running a set on my car now. They all break.

01-17-2015, 07:47 PM	#2
scicala Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit suburb, MI Posts: 3,698	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold The manifold on you're engine is the type used on passenger cars in 1954, '55 and '56. In 1957 they made it wider and more flat on top (better flow). I would post a "wanted add" on the Ford Barn in the "swap meet" section, or check EBAY. I see them on there frequently.

01-17-2015, 08:19 PM	#3
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,980	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold I see these on ebay all the time. Make sure you don't get a Tbird drivers side, they are different (and expensive) If you don't already belong, two sites are good for 54 stuff and Yblock parts. One is 1954.com and the other is y-blocksforever.com

01-17-2015, 08:23 PM	#4
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,397	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold You might also try over at y-blocksforever.com. There was a set available a few days ago. If you're thinking about moderate performance upgrades, try to find Ted Eaton's article on exhaust testing. He did every header he could get his hands on, and I think the stock manifolds also. Eaton Balancing. http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/To....aspx#bm111732 Oops, Paul posted while I was typing. Found it http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic55379.aspx Last edited by miker98038; 01-17-2015 at 08:31 PM.

01-18-2015, 07:48 PM	#5
estout81 BANNED Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Utica, Ohio Posts: 522	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold When you replace the manifolds be sure to clean the mating surfaces good and install with NO gaskets.

01-19-2015, 01:19 PM	#7
y'sguy Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 151	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold An additional thing I've found is the use of studs instead of bolts. I actually use what are called "set screw" bolts that have an allen head. Helps to equal out the torque and prevent all of the pressure in the one area. Not stock of course if that concerns you. I also find it make it easier to install the manifold. JMO Nice car, Love the color. grew up around one much like that.

01-30-2015, 12:45 PM	#8
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,464	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold I have a very nice set of '55-56 292 exhaust manifolds.. I bought them many years ago for spares for my '57 312 Bird. I found out last year that they would not fit a 57, I had Larry's T-Bird in So Cal weld my broken manifold.. Perfect job. PM if you are interested in my manifolds... __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe

01-30-2015, 01:50 PM	#9
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold Since more than a few guys have been down this road,your clutch linkage has been modified to make those fit my suggestion is to Google the Ford code number so you will get another exact match or this option which fits really well:http://reds-headers.net/index.php?ma...979af890ce2f62

01-31-2015, 10:41 AM	#10
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold If you can find an old grey haired welder near you, ask him to weld it. I have gas welded broken manifolds.

01-31-2015, 06:34 PM	#11
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold You could repair it,lot's of videos on how it's done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yopcz-IYDyQ

01-31-2015, 07:48 PM	#12
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold That is really cool. I was taught by a guy who repaired broken blocks during WWII when parts were not available. He used cast iron rod, it was square, about 1/4 inch. He prepared it the same as in this movie. He used a fresh can of Lewis Lye for flux. Then use big fire, a large tip, and that did some pre-heat. It works great. It is not nearly as fast, but it looks about the same when finished.

01-31-2015, 09:24 PM	#13
y'sguy Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 151	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold About a year ago a good friend and mechanic offered to have one of my tbird ex. manifolds welded. It was heat cracked, in the middle area. His company welds and repairs heay CAT equipment, heads and blocks etc, where it has to be cost effective to do so. However they said the iron content of the manifold they worked on for me was very bad and contaminated and would take many passes but could be made to function, but not be pretty. So we opted to not fix it. Too much weld build up. They use a Spray welding process. If the part had been that hard to find I would have done it, but in this case would not have been something I would want to run on my car.

02-02-2015, 07:30 PM	#14
Lancer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Modesto Posts: 171	Re: 292 Exhaust Manifold I would have it brazed up and use it. I'm running a set on my car now. They all break. __________________ SPEEDNCHROME.COM