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FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: chris401 on May 01, 2019, 01:06:50 PM

Title: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: chris401 on May 01, 2019, 01:06:50 PM
I am looking at adapting a pair of factory iron 385 family manifolds to my pickup's 430 MEL. From what I have seen and heard it seems the MEL factory manifolds are prone to crack.  At this time I do not have anything to work with other than the 1/2" steell adaptor plate. I do not remember a lot of manifold issues from the fuel injected era or the big truck with the 370.  Any recommendations?
Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: gregaba on May 01, 2019, 01:33:47 PM
Hi Chris
I have a extra pair of 429 stock exhaust manifolds in the shop if I can find them. Off a 70 T-bird.
Greg
Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: chris401 on May 01, 2019, 04:27:07 PM
Hi Chris
I have a extra pair of 429 stock exhaust manifolds in the shop if I can find them. Off a 70 T-bird.
Greg
Thanks Greg. Is this passenger side the same as yours? I am mocking all this up in the F-100, once everything is in place I will have a better view. If I end up using the automatic it will work for sure.

Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: gregaba on May 01, 2019, 05:42:25 PM
Criss
i won't be able to get into the shop untill tomorrow but will check.
Will let you know something tomorrow.
Greg
Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: WConley on May 01, 2019, 11:12:46 PM
I am looking at adapting a pair of factory iron 385 family manifolds to my pickup's 430 MEL. From what I have seen and heard it seems the MEL factory manifolds are prone to crack.  At this time I do not have anything to work with other than the 1/2" steell adaptor plate. I do not remember a lot of manifold issues from the fuel injected era or the big truck with the 370.  Any recommendations?

I remember doing a stint at Ford in the Dyno building.  One week we were running truck 7.5L (460) engines.  The old time dyno operator was showing me how much fuel those engines burn out the exhaust ports.  The later 7.5's had cast stainless manifolds for that very reason.  Man those things would get red under any kind of load!
Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: Falcon67 on May 02, 2019, 08:53:30 AM
The 460 stockers are also prone to cracking.  Ask my F-350 while it's warming up - cho-cho-cho-cho-etc.  Put stainless steel headers on it.  If/when I replace mine I will not go back with stockers.  As noted, the exhaust on those 460s get really hot.
Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: gt350hr on May 02, 2019, 10:28:46 AM
The 460 stockers are also prone to cracking.  Ask my F-350 while it's warming up - cho-cho-cho-cho-etc.  Put stainless steel headers on it.  If/when I replace mine I will not go back with stockers.  As noted, the exhaust on those 460s get really hot.

    I carry a spare cast iron manifold in my F350 car hauler for that exact reason
Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: chris401 on May 02, 2019, 12:12:51 PM
I am looking at adapting a pair of factory iron 385 family manifolds to my pickup's 430 MEL. From what I have seen and heard it seems the MEL factory manifolds are prone to crack.  At this time I do not have anything to work with other than the 1/2" steell adaptor plate. I do not remember a lot of manifold issues from the fuel injected era or the big truck with the 370.  Any recommendations?

I remember doing a stint at Ford in the Dyno building.  One week we were running truck 7.5L (460) engines.  The old time dyno operator was showing me how much fuel those engines burn out the exhaust ports.  The later 7.5's had cast stainless manifolds for that very reason.  Man those things would get red under any kind of load!
I replaced some in the carburetor era pickups. Seems the problem area was between the passenger rear ports. I take it the 90's has the cast stainless?
Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: Falcon67 on May 02, 2019, 12:46:22 PM
Ours is a 1993 EFI unit - no stainless, cast iron.

>I carry a spare cast iron manifold in my F350 car hauler for that exact reason

I'm not touching it - I just let it warm up and it's fine.  That's a project for some other day LOL.
Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: machoneman on May 02, 2019, 01:19:25 PM
Yeah, I'd skip the hassle of iron stuff and go to SS headers or at least coated steel headers.

Funny, but BBC's in motor homes at least also badly cracked the OEM iron manifolds as well. A long-ago neighbor asked me to look at his 396-402 BBC and I found one of the manifolds badly cracked and not even welding would have fixed it.
Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: gregaba on May 02, 2019, 03:21:06 PM
Hi Chris
Here are a couple of pictures of what I have.
The numbers are C9VE 9430A right side
C9VE 9481A left side.
Let me know of you can use them or if you need more picture's.
Greg 
Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: chris401 on May 02, 2019, 04:08:48 PM
Hi Chris
Here are a couple of pictures of what I have.
The numbers are C9VE 9430A right side
C9VE 9481A left side.
Let me know of you can use them or if you need more picture's.
Greg
PM on the way.
Thanks
Title: Re: Better 370, 429 Or 460 Exhaust Manifold?
Post by: chris401 on May 02, 2019, 04:16:42 PM
I was originally looking at these but I am not sure if it will clear my cross member. After moving the engine mounts the factory Ford FT center dump manifolds are close to the frame. On a wider engine with adapter plates I figured something like this would be even closer.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOR-429-460-FORD-BBC-BIG-BLOCK-STAINLESS-SHORTY-HUGGER-HEADER-EXHAUST-MANIFOLD/400893582365?hash=item5d571e9c1d%3Ag%3AXF8AAOSw3RZaPcFc&fits=Year%3A1970%7CModel%3AThunderbird%7CMake%3AFord