302 intake manifold break
#1
302 intake manifold break
Hi, I bought a '74 302 that was overhauled from another fellow. This engine was rebuilt, be never installed and fired. When I got it home I noticed that there is a small piece broken off under the left rear bolt (bolt #8) of the intake manifold. It is a small square piece about 1/8" X 1/8". It almost looks like someone was lifting the engine, using the bolt hole beneath the rear end of the intake manifold, but they were not careful and the chain might of broken the piece off.
My question is, could a machine shop possibly fill this shut with a weld? Or should I just give up and just replace it?
Thanks!
Thanks!
My question is, could a machine shop possibly fill this shut with a weld? Or should I just give up and just replace it?
Thanks!
Thanks!
#2
It is somewhat critical that that particular area in the four extreme corners of the intake is properly bolted, torqued, and sealed as that is where the water passages are. A water leak outside of the motor is bad enough, but if it happens to leak into the engine it can be fatal. Antifreeze and bearings do not play nicely together. That's a really small piece to have missing, but it can crack from there if it compromises the strength of the boss and a much larger piece can break off. Whether or not it should be replaced or repaired kinda depends on what kind of manifold it is and what material it's made out of. If it's a stocker type 2 barrel cast iron intake, pull it off, deposit it in the nearest scrap metal receptacle, and find another one. Welding cast iron is a skill and it would take a professional welder a considerable amount of time ($$$$$) to build an ear back up that would be serviceable. Besides, those intakes are easy to find and almost free when you run across them. (Stop by my place and I'll give you one to put on and one for a spare just so I don't have to trip over them anymore.) If the intake is an aluminum aftermarket 4 barrel piece, then I'd have a pro weld it up. Aluminum still takes some know-how and skill to weld, but it's much easier to do a repair of this sort with than iron. Then again, a good, used Edelbrock or similar intake can be had all day long on fleaBay for less than $100. It might cost $50-$75 to get it repaired. Is it worth it? That's up to you.
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