FT exhaust manifolds

[fomocoguy]

I've been looking for a more efficient manifold for the passenger side on my crew and haven't really found anything much better than the factory 390 car manifold, which is just a little better than the truck piece. Then I remembered that the FT engines had a rams horn design kinda like the later model 360 drivers side manifold that I'm going to use, except that it goes straight down instead of exiting out at a rearward angle.

Anyways, the question is have any of you used this manifold on an FE? I know the exhaust passage in the middle would have to be plugged, but do any of you know if anything gets in the way (like the engine mount), or if you can go staight down with the exhaust pipe and just turn back? Thanks!

[fordman]

the rams horn you are thinking of is from 73 and up trucks on the drivers side. the 78/79 uhaul 330xd engine out at this junkyard is a regular looking fe manifold. as far as i can tell. i havent really loked at the ft engine in the f600 out there yet. i did look at the F600 exhaust pipe and it looked larger around than our trucks use. i could be wrong.

[FORDification]

They'll work....but not without some welding. The FT manifolds have a heat crossover hole that would need to be welded up.



(From Ford FT vs. FE on the Bumpwiki)

[sideoilerfe]

Honestly, it's not worth the trouble. The gains (if any) will go unnoticed. Also the "heavy duty" drivers side form '75-'76 FE's have smaller ports. Put a gasket against it then put the same gasket on the passenger side and you'll see what i mean.

[fomocoguy]

They'll work....but not without some welding. The FT manifolds have a heat crossover hole that would need to be welded up.



(From Ford FT vs. FE on the Bumpwiki)

Thanks Keith, I saw the info on the wiki and knew about pluggin' the hole; I'm just not sure about the engine mount and if it's in the way or not...

Honestly, it's not worth the trouble. The gains (if any) will go unnoticed. Also the "heavy duty" drivers side form '75-'76 FE's have smaller ports. Put a gasket against it then put the same gasket on the passenger side and you'll see what i mean.

Well, I went down and used my calipers to do some measuring on the HD drivers side manifold I have and you are correct about the ports being smaller. However, I checked them against the heads and they fit the exhaust ports exactly, so even though they are a little smaller than the standard manifolds ports they offer no restriction to the flow.

I may not notice anything, but since I'm not using headers I would really like for both manifolds to have similar flow characteristics. It would be worth a little welding to me to know that they both flow about the same. In fact, if I can find a set and they fit well I may do both sides in the FT manifold so they match.

[flyboy2610]

These are cast iron, correct?
Have you ever welded cast iron before? There are some special techniques to use.

[fomocoguy]

These are cast iron, correct?
Have you ever welded cast iron before? There are some special techniques to use.

I tried it once and I mucked it all up. I was thinking I would either take them to a local shop I know of that does nothing but welding andhave them takecare of it or drill some small holes, tap them, and make some small covers for the openings. I have some header gasket material that I could use to make sure I don't have any leaks. I can cross that bridge when I get there...

[Redcap]

These are cast iron, correct?
Have you ever welded cast iron before? There are some special techniques to use.

I have. Works pretty good with the TIG and some specific filler rods.

[papabug71]

Cast iron can be welded, but you must know what you are doing. Most weldings shops dont do cast iron, at least around here.

You can stick weld it with inconel rods.

You can also TIG weld it with a NI-rod filler. Cold or pre-heat technique, its your choice.

I had 3 years of welding school & still suck at it.

[hazelnut]

I have a 361 hanging on a hoist now with manifolds on the motor if you need measurement on something for clearence on your truck.I have a 69 hiboy but its down to the frame,and if you need a measurement off the frame ill get that for you also.

[Redcap]

Cast iron can be welded, but you must know what you are doing. Most weldings shops dont do cast iron, at least around here.

You can stick weld it with inconel rods.

You can also TIG weld it with a NI-rod filler. Cold or pre-heat technique, its your choice.

I had 3 years of welding school & still suck at it.

I'm all self-taught (+ reading stuff from the interbuttz).

Nothing I produce is pretty...but it holds.

[fordman]

i can arc weld pretty good. buti have no experience with wire welding.

[papabug71]

If you can stick weld, you can mig. Its called point & click welding.

[fordman]

i cant seem to get penetration on a mig very well. too many controls to bother with i think.

[OldRedFord]

I have not welded cast iron. But I do have my welding text book in front of me.
Only advice I can give is...

Preheat, preheat, and preheat some more.

Paraphrased from my book....

"Should not be welded as fast as steel. Most gray and nodular cast iron can be welded using stick, after preheating. Finished weld should be cooled slowly to prevent cracking. Preheat should be at least 600 degrees, preferably 900 to 1200 and applied as evenly as possible. Cooling needs to be controlled."

Welding Principles an Applications, Fifth edition
Larry Jeffus page 641