AHHHH!!!! Cracked upper intake!!!

[83 Capri 5.0]

Small hairline crack in the #1 runner of my explorer upper intake (just got it, F**K!!!). So what's the fix, epoxy, aluminium welding?

 

[nito88stang]

Jb Weld

 

[Black331Stang]

yeah i agree JB....

i got a quick question...i got a hairliner in my lower intake where the heater tubes screw in. i threw some hardening putty crap over it for a temporoary fix...will this cause overheating?? (car really hasnt been driven since happened) thanks

 

[Michael Yount]

Check it out closely - it likely came from the passenger side front ear being over-torqued. It happens all the time -- people tighten them way too tight. I'd be leary of a jb weld fix, although I suppose you don't lose anything by trying. I'd try torquing it down (only 10 lb-ft) and seeing if that ear stands up to the stress. Who'd you get it from? Before I did anything I'd try and get my money back unless they told you it was cracked and you bought it that way knowingly.

 

[83 Capri 5.0]

Got it from a local guy here in Vancouver. The thing is I got the Explorer intake and GT40 head for a great price and those intakes are hard to find, looked for 6 months.

The hairline crack is right at the front of the # 1 runner at the bolt ear like you said. It runs up about 4-5mm the bottom. I can't see how you could get anything thicker that the consistency of crazy glue to run up in this small crack let alone JB Weld. But if left alone it will be a vacuum leak I suspect.

What to do?

 

[Michael Yount]

I'd be leary of tightening that puppy down with out having it welded - it's sure to get worse, and jb weld ain't gonna help. If you have it welded, probably ought to have them check the mounting surface for true afterwards - they may need to take a bit off to true it. And advice to everyone considering the manifold -- ask ahead of time if it's cracked there or back on the #4 similarly. Mine was cracked and welded - nice repair job. But the seller told me about it and sent pics.

 

[Idwitheld-1`]

Unless you terminate the fracture the crack will continue to grow. This creepage fatigue can be stopped by welding the crack. Heat and cooling cycles will accelerate the fatigue unless repaired.

Sorry to hear of your problems. Hope you get everything fixed.

 

[83 Capri 5.0]

No gluing! Getting it welded from a local guy who has done it before. It will polish out like it was never there. Thanks for the info Michael and Idwitheld-1

 

[tmoss]

TIG weld is the only way to go. Shouldn't be much more than $20 US.