Anybody had any luck welding an intake manifold (B manifold)? Yesterday was torquing the intake down & was on the last bolt on right front torquing to 25 pounds & it broke that ear off. Is right in the water jacket so it leaked the water out of the manifold & radiator hose. Turkey Run is coming up & I don't have much time. Of course there isn't one for a decent price on ebay (there's usually 2 or 3 at any given time). I'm thinking I can get it welded & not tighten it quite so tight because all it does is seal water & not the ports themselves.

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

EJ:

I have used welded intakes with no problem.  When you put it back on, make sure the front bolt in the valley cover is tightened enough that the manifold doesn't sit on that bolt head.  That's what causes the ear on the manifold to break. 

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Thanks John. I'll check that bolt on the valley cover, Good tip there!

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

I checked that bolt. It was as tight as it will go & I didn't see any signs of it hitting the intake but I'm going to either grind some off of the head of the bolt or put a screw head bolt in there just to be safe.

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

EJ:

Sit the manifold on the heads with the gaskets on, and see if something like a hacksaw blade will go between the bolt head and the manifold.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I will when I get the manifold back from the welding shop. I put new thinner headded bolts in the valley cover & ground them down to about half thickness. Thanks again, good tip.

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

Got the ear welded back on. He did a pretty good job but when he ground the weld on the machine surface he ground it not square. I built it up with JB Weld & got it straight with a straight edge. Got it painted & back on & things are looking good. Thanks John, good idea! Turkey Run here I come!!

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL