A few weeks ago I set aside the carbs and intake manifold and just today started to strip the Intake down and to my suprise I found what apprear as a burn through in the maniford at the Heat Tube connection.  The below pic is taken from underneath the manifold.

Does anyone know what would be the likely cause and could this be repaired by welding?

Thanks

Dale

Dale:

It appears to be a combination of corrosion from exhaust and moisture, plus burn through from the exhaust heat.  Is that where the choke heat tube fitting was?  If so, the heat tube(s) are probably also rusted out.  The problem is that there may be more weak spots.  A patch can be welded in, I've done it.  Also, you could block the heat passage at the manifold/head juncture and no exhaust would get to that area.  If you do that, block the heat riser valve open.  If you drive in cold and wet climate, you really need that heat to prevent carburetor icing.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

The fitting for the heat tube is still attached.  The area on the manifold at the fitting is cracked.  Then just below that on the bottom of the manifold is the burn through.  Attached is a little better picture of the bottom.

I hate to think of finding a new 2x4 manifold so maybe I will try to weld it by someone who know aluminum better than me.

Again, thanks.

Dale

Just because the ends of the tube are intact does not mean that the tube is in good shape. If the manifold has blown out, more than likely the heat tube is shot. The heat tubes are available aftermarket, assuming that the same heat tube for the single 4BBL is the same for the 2 x4's.

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