I have a stock 240, 1965 vintage. I am not really dead set on improved performance, but I'll take it if I can get it!! I would like to improve the fuel mileage, but again, its not critical. I DO want a reliable setup.

My current stock original exhaust manifold looks like crap, the heat riser valve is stuck open etc. The engine runs fine, though it will occassioally have hard starts if its hot.

I have the engine sitting on the frame with everything else removed (frame up restore), so now is a good time to fix stuff. I picked up a set of EFI exhausts and I found the Walker 41566 "Y" to bring them together. I already have a practically new stock exhaust system currently, that I'd like to reuse parts from (or all).

But before I ditch the stock exhaust, I want to get a better idea what problems I might have with the intake later. I live in a cold dry climate in the winter (High Plains) and the Summers are hot as hell. Will the loss of my heat riser cause me to have problems in cold weather? I may move back to cold and damp New England next year. Trouble with carburator icing? Cold starts and trouble with getting her warmed up?

I really want a setup that is reliable and durable. Maybe I should just get a new stock exhaust manifold and replace the stuck old one while everything is so accessible?

I really appreciate your thoughts.

PS -- I do not want to put a clifford water heated carb plate on -- just too much hassle and makes the old ford look "worked over".