Making a Manifold???

Its just this crazy idea that i got today... I know theres probabally some obvious reason it wouldnt work that im not thinking of or something... but i dont know.

Heres the storey. When i got my C running i did so with parts robbed off the B since it needed something or other at the time.

Now that my B is painted, i want my parts back. One of those parts is a manifold.

The manifold that was on that C when i got it has a good intake portion, but the exhaust portion has reached the end of its road.

So what im thinking of is using the intake portion for the intake and making my own exhaust. My own "headers". I think it might even be good for a horse or two.

The video explains it pretty well, but here it is anyway:

The B/C head has six "holes" on the manifold side. Two are exhaust. (Im pretty sure. Correct me if not.....)

The used intake portion would take four of those holes.

Leaving two for exhaust.

I could take a section of steel pipe and (steel pipe cut and welded... i think it would be easier then bending steel tubing), and have it run a few inches from the engine, then i could cut it off at an angle, and weld the cut off portion pointing the final "stack" up. The opposite end of this creation would be welded to a small steel plate bolted to the tractor.

I dont know how id attatch it to the tractor. Theres only one bolt hole for each exhaust port. Im thinking i could weld the head outward (once i learn how to weld cast.... i never said i would make this immeditially) and then drill and tap the new metal for a second and third bolt hole.

Just a crazy idea. Im too cheap to but a new manifold, since i have alot of projects and not much work.

Im told the faster and easier you get air into and out of an engine the more power you get. This would offer less resistance then the normal manifold so mabey it would be good for a horse or two???

Any ideas??? Thanks!!

Untitled Audio Video
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I may be wrong but I think there are 4 exaust and 2 intake ports

Normally you would use the gasket as a template for the flange part.Too bad theres only one hole per side.The pipe would stand on its own without bracketry cause its light.Can you pick up that other hole with a full size of original pipe type flange plate.Keep in mind when making exhaust less restrictive it may run leaner.Its doable. The arc welder will tend to want to burn right through the pipe if its thin.Best to TIG weld.[Am I seeing another hole correctly in the rear or is it two total?]

Hot rodders made exhaust manifolds like that for years. High performance tuned headers are made like that still.

Don't try to weld steel to cast. It can be done on that welder with nickel rod, but it takes lots of practice. Don't think what you are proposing would work, and you would probably ruin the head. Think about it for a while first.

Re getting more horsepower, it certainly will, but you cant have the pipes too short with no muffler or it may overheat the engine. Ask a go kart racer for an explanation or do research. When tuning for performance, the pipes need to be the same length to equalize pressure. They will be very noisy. Wear earmuffs. Seriously. Don't shoot guns with no hearing protection either.

KEH

You'll have problems with carburetor icing on wet days if you don't have a way to heat the intake manifold. That's why the intake and exhaust manifolds are one piece.

Steiner tractor has replacement manifolds for 99 bucks.
Manifold for A C

You need some exhaust pipe and a muffler shop to bend it for you so you can make something that might work.You want an exhaust that kind of looks like what you have,not sticking way out and melting the paint off of your hood and with a big as possible pipe matched to the holes in the plate for the head and porting and polishing is where your horsepower comes from.This is way harder than you can imagine,but its possible.You need to make a plate that bolts to the head with holes for the intake and exhaust since you dont have enough bolts to seal the exhaust up real well,you need a plate that is about 1/2 inch thick or even thicker,use an intake and exhaust gasket to lay out your holes and bolt holes,then take it to somebody with a torch or plasma cutter and cut that piece out.Then with longer bolts you could bolt the intake up to the plate,get your bent tubing from the muffler shop and tack it in place with your welder and 6011 rod.Then take the whole thing off,go somewhere that has a MIG welder and weld your exhaust part to the plate with a MIG welder and check it for leaks after you are done by filling it with water and fix any leaks you find.Then after you do all of that,take it to a machine shop that planes heads and have the intake surface and sealing surface planed down flat.After that it will most likely work.Your picture of the zoomies probably wont ever work,but I have been wrong before.Anytime you make an exhaust or intake manifold like that you should have it planed flat so it will seal.Of course if you do this you want to have the sealing surface on your head clean as well.If you dont get it planed down it will blow the exhaust gasket probably and you will get tired of replacing it.By the time you do all of that it will be quicker and probably cheaper to just replace your wore out manifold with a good used one from somewhere,and probably lots less problems.If the old one lasted 60 years or more a good used one should last a long time.

Lanse, I believe that you could make a manifold BUT the front and back holes are exhaust as are the two middle holes it is the intake that is Siamesed with one hole going to cylinders1&2 and the other to 3&4.

Lanse,

Being that many on the board have contributed
to the beginnings of your old iron habit ,if
you can get that manifold in a box and to the
post office , I'll do the repair for you.

george

i have a ho-made welded up I/E manifold made from pipe on my allis G.. works fine.

soundguy

I believe I'd take George md up on his generous offer- have seen pics of some of his work on cast iron, and its gorgeous. I've no doubt he could fix your old one in beautiful fashion, and you would end up with a much better result than you could do with a "header".

Lanse,
I made both of these sets of headers. 2 1/2 inch zoomies, and 2 inch sprint car headers.
Not real hard, but time consuming. Also built the chassis, so the headers were actually easy compared to the chassis.

So yes it can be done. It took me 20 years before my welding and fab skills were what I was happy with.

I would pay the UPS and have George fix it for you. Then practice on other fab projects and as you build your skill, tackle more complex projects each time.

To your question, yes, the faster/easier you get the air out of an engine the more hp you make. But you have to look at the entire system. Just bolting on a header(s) will not make a world of difference. It all works together... higher compression, aggressive cam, more fuel, exhaust, ignition.... all this equals $$$$. Then stronger clutch, new ring/pinion, its goes and goes.

My two cents.
Rick