could someone explain how the exhaust valve works and why its there. my thermostat there is broken and the shaft is frozen. I did disconnect the pipe and the butterfly is side is just flapping in there. would I be ok to tack the butterfly in one direction or the other? Is it normal to have exhaust coming out of this area? It looks like there might be some kinda of vent there. does anybody have a exhaust manifold they would like to part with? mine has a crack around the #1 cylinder.

 

I had a 215 several years ago, my understanding is that the function of the butterfly is to get more heat when cold. I wired mine open, the spring was broke anyway and at the time it was in an old roadster modified. I did not drive when it was real cold. The vent as you call it is for the choke heat. You can plug the hole, assuming your choke has manual cable or is held open. The engine does need some intake heat to run good, otherwise it runs bad since fuel will not stay vaporized.

You should be able to use a 223 manifold I think? Sorry been too many years since I messed with that engine, but it is the early predecessor to the 223 which ran for many years.

 

I have manual choke, how would I go about plugging it. It looks like a slot

 

Is that a crack? Can you get a better picture?

 

The butterfly flap is a heat riser to allow faster warmups in colder weather. It's open to allow the hot exhaust gasses to heat the bottom of the intake manifold, then it's supposed to close as the temperature rises. Down in your part of the country, if you could just close it, you won't have any issues.

Exhaust leaks are a different matter. There is not supposed to be any venting or escaping of exhaust, except out the tailpipe.

 

the only crack I've seen is around the #1 cylinder. my Photoshop skills are a little rough so it kinda looks like one on the intake there but its a line I make trying to make the circle. lol anyways there is diff exhaust coming out in between the exhaust and intake manifold. is there maybe a gasket there that might be leaking? I have a feeling I will be searching for a new exhaust manifold soon. anybody for sure if a 223 manifold might be the same?

 

its hard to tell in that pic but the whole passenger side of the intake manifold under the carb is black from exhaust ****.

 

I think there is supposed to be a gasket between the intake and exhaust manifolds, right under the carb, and yours is shot.

 

Yes, there is suppose to be a gasket there. I may have an extra manifold up back (can't remember if the junk engine had one or not) off a 215.

Paul

 

Gasket is the culprit most likely. The exhaust manifold from a 53 215 and later 223s are the same, but have one minor difference. The difference is that the 52 215 exhaust manifold comes straight down at the connection point with the exhaust pipe, while 53 215 and later 223 are angled in this section.

Exhaust (and intake) manifolds for a 1953 215 and later 223 engines. Note the exhaust outlet angled at the bottom.


Exhaust (and intake) manifolds for a 1952 215 engine. Note the exhaust outlet being straight.

 

Those heat riser valves have always been a pain. You should replace the gasket, but fasten the valve in position for normal exhaust flow. Those are notorious getting stuck in the "cold" position so that you get really low power output.

Dan

 

Wow my truck has the angled manifold, not that I really care. Thanks for the information. Also just walked up back and no manifolds on junk engine.

Paul

 

EAA-9426-A = 1952/53 Passenger Car & Truck 215 I-6 Exhaust Manifold & Thermostat Assy / Obsolete

No Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any / Edit: This 215 manifold is not listed in Ford parts catalogs for any year 223.
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C3AZ-9426-A (replaced: B4A-9426-A; B8A-9426-A, C1TE-9426-A) .. 1954/64 223 I-6 Exhaust Manifold & Thermostat Assy / Obsolete

Even if it would fit, lotsa luck finding a decent 223 exhaust manifold. Even though used from 1954/64 on trucks and Passenger Cars, it's harder to find than Jimmy Hoffa!

And...no Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.

 

Ok, next option, what's the best way to patch the crack? Weld , brase?

 

guess I will ask again. lol I pulled my manifolds and my exhaust is in pretty bad shape. so now what am I going to do? what would be the best way to patch this or since the stock manifolds are sooo hard to come buy whats the best replacement header to go with? here are some pics where my cracks are besides the obvious #1 cylinder ear being broken.