Exhaust Manifold leaks Chevy 454
steel
Can anyone advise on the infamous manifold problems with the Chevy 454
engines. I just purchased a 1987 Winnebago Chieftain 27'. Any suggestions
on a "cheap" fix for thr problem. Are headers from Gibson or Jaddine a good
option answers would be greatly appreciated.
James Gemmill
fran...@usa.pipeline.com(steel) wrote:
I hve been told that someone makes an after market manifold that is
split and expands and contracts better than original.
Ernest Smith
In article <51d8mu$b...@news1.t1.usa.pipeline.com>,
fran...@usa.pipeline.com(steel) wrote:
> Can anyone advise on the infamous manifold problems with the Chevy 454
> engines. I just purchased a 1987 Winnebago Chieftain 27'. Any suggestions
> on a "cheap" fix for thr problem. Are headers from Gibson or Jaddine a good
> option answers would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry to tell you this, but there is nothing that you can do to correct
the problem using "stock" exhaust manifolds. If you want to correct
this problem you are going to have to install "aftermarket" maifolds.
I have no experience with the Gibson or Jardine headers. But I would
recommend Doug Thorly, Turbo Shop or Gale Banks. Depending on how
much you want to spend will determine what performance boost you will
get. To replace the entire exhaust system from the manifolds back will
cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $2500. This will correct
the problem with cracking/leaking manifolds and really improve the
performance.
--
Ernest Smith
email er...@oregon.west.sun.com
Rob Burgoon
I fixed a right side manifold leak on my 1988 Chieftan 454 about
6 months ago. It was not easy! One of the manifold bolts broke
off and I could not remove it without taking out the right head.
It had also warped the manifold. Chevy has a motorhome book in
which they recommend cutting the webs on the stock manifold. I
did that and milled the manifold flat again. They also recommended
using antisieze compound between the manifold and the head (there is
no gasket). The antisieze compound creates some kind of lubrication
so the manifold can "move around" as it expands from the heat.
I don't have any direct experience with the aftermarket manifolds and
exhausts but there have been people in this newsgroup that have them
and like them. Good luck and I hope your exhaust leak is easier to
fix than mine was!
--
Rob Burgoon, AB6NZ ro...@scd.hp.com
Ray Bailey
steel wrote:
>
> Can anyone advise on the infamous manifold problems with the Chevy 454
> engines. I just purchased a 1987 Winnebago Chieftain 27'. Any suggestions
> on a "cheap" fix for thr problem. Are headers from Gibson or Jaddine a good
> option answers would be greatly appreciated.
Steel: Recommend against your doing anything fancy to try to save the original
manifolds when the time comes, as it likely will. Reason is there is cost involved with
dealing with the old, and the old, including the factory installed exhaust tubing and
mufflers just don't do a good job producing the power we need to climb the hills we must
all climb.
I didn't wait for the stock manifolds to give it up, just went straight to the Banks
system and never regretted it. Got plenty more power, runs cooler, a slight improvement
in mpg. The $1600 price I paid included the manifolds, pipes, muffler, and a ram air
induction package with improved filtering - installed!
I personally lean toward the Banks package because if something does fail in the exhaust
system, you only have Banks to go to. Many of the other exhaust systems are built from
components that come from several manufacturers, complicating things if you find the
need to complain.
Ray Bailey
r...@mlode.com
Dennis R. Zamzow
I put a Banks system on recently and the power gain was outstanding. I would recommend
you get the installation directions from Banks first and become familiar with them.
Before you drived away you can check every thing out and make sure it's correct and on
the coach. If you have done your manifold work yourself I don't think you'll have any
problems installing the system yourself. I personally like Banks total system approach
but there are many happy people out there with other systems. Power increase is worth
it no matter what you put on.
Good luck.
7262...@compuserve.com
fran...@usa.pipeline.com(steel) wrote:
>Can anyone advise on the infamous manifold problems with the Chevy 454
>engines. I just purchased a 1987 Winnebago Chieftain 27'. Any suggestions
>on a "cheap" fix for thr problem. Are headers from Gibson or Jaddine a good
>option answers would be greatly appreciated.
The RV Forum on Compuserve has many folks who have and love the header
system. Great increase in power and cooling, minimal, generally on
fuel mpg. Jardene cheaper than Banks system, but owners of both seem
to think they are fantastic. I am still wishing, don't have the
$999.00 needed for my rig ('88 Southwind P30 with 454). Good luck!
Paul Dickson
> fran...@usa.pipeline.com(steel) wrote:
>
> >Can anyone advise on the infamous manifold problems with the Chevy 454
> >engines.
Exactly what *is* this "infamous problem?
--
Paul Dickson
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Oracle Corporation.
swe...@heartstream.com
> fran...@usa.pipeline.com(steel) writes:
> Can anyone advise on the infamous manifold problems with the Chevy 454
> on a "cheap" fix for thr problem. Are headers from Gibson or Jaddine a good
> option answers would be greatly appreciated.
>
>>>>
heard of both but most typically the problem I'm familiar with is blown gaskets. Every
two years we, (Washington State) have to have emissions testing done and while my
preparation includes new plugs, air cleaner and an oil change, I opt for regasketing
the exhaust manifolds and replacing the spark plug wires. I buy a good set of high
temp wires with a life time warranty but after two years wrapped around a big block
they are usually brittle and cracked. They are usually replaced for free. Any motor
asked to do the kind of work that we require of it is going to work extra hard and run
extra hot. I don't think you can run the amount of exhaust out, and have exhaust
gaskets last forever. I always clean both mating surfaces well and apply a liberal
layer of high temp RTV Sealer to both sides of the gaskets. Tighten the bolts snug at
first, going over them a few times, as the first ones will loosen up as others tighten. I
allow the RTV to cure over night and then retourque the bolts. I don't tighten the bolts
to factory specs, but snug. This is just a maintenance item I expect to do every other
year. They are usually ready. Install a good set of metal clad gaskets.
A cheap (cheaper than new manifolds) alternative to cracked manifolds
are headers which will require that the exhaust tubes be modified to accept the
header collectors. I have contemplated putting them on more for the performance
increase. Familiar with the headers on the big block in my street car, you'll still have to
tend to the gaskets from time to time. I hope this helps. Later,
Cam Sweet swe...@heartstream.com
George W. Reynolds
They are cheaply made. They overheat. They crack. They are a lot of
trouble to replace. They are expensive to buy. They are expensive to replace.
. . . or so I understand. <BG>
george
In article <pdickson-170...@twang.us.oracle.com>
pdic...@us.oracle.com (Paul Dickson) writes:>From: pdic...@us.oracle.com
(Paul Dickson)>Subject: Re: Exhaust Manifold leaks Chevy 454
>Date: Tue, 17 Sep 1996 10:09:23 -0400
>> fran...@usa.pipeline.com(steel) wrote:
>>
>> >Can anyone advise on the infamous manifold problems with the Chevy 454
>> >engines.
>Exactly what *is* this "infamous problem?
Steve Das
fran...@usa.pipeline.com(steel) wrote:
>Can anyone advise on the infamous manifold problems with the Chevy 454
>on a "cheap" fix for thr problem. Are headers from Gibson or Jaddine a good
>option answers would be greatly appreciated.
Chevy now has a "new" manifold and gasket out to address this problem.
They supposedly had to do it to meet the leakage requirements on the new
engines. I just did the manifolds on my '89 454 and so far, it is dead
quiet. I DID NOT use the new manifolds as I was told they are the same
as the old ones with the spreaders cut between each port. In addition,
I believe there is an advantage to "seasoned" manifolds. I cut the
spreaders with a hacksaw, took them in to a machine shop and had them
surfaced and then installed them with the new gaskets. Incidentally, the
new gasket is a work of art. It is a sandwich of stainless steel and
some other material. Chevy only gets about 10 bucks a side for them and
from my experience, they are a bargain. They are marked "manifold" side
and seem to work very well. In fact, the truck is so quiet, I can now
hear the throttle body injectors going off from inside the truck. This
will be your cheapest reliable fix IMHO.
Later and hope this helps,
Steve
GMCMH
The most cost effective and guaranteed fix is the Ring Exhaust Manifolds.
They have a slip joint that totally eliminates the cracking and leaking
problem.
The Ring Manifolds are expensive, but not as expensive as unpredictable
headers, which have their own disadvantages. For more information call
Ring at 1-800-233-3703.
Wes Caughlan
Consulting Editor
MotorHome Magazine
Bruce Friedman
GMCMH (gm...@aol.com) wrote:
: The most cost effective and guaranteed fix is the Ring Exhaust Manifolds.
Hi -
I currently have a 1988 Winnibego Chieftain with a 454 Chevy engine. The
engine only has 16K miles on it and looks to be in very good shape. My question
is concerning the manifolds. I have read many articles in the RV newsgroup
regarding problems with the 454 manifolds (including yours). I am trying to
find out more information regarding the problem:
- Does Chevy have a TSB out on the problem?
- What exactly is the problem?
- How would I know if I have it?
The manifolds that are on the engine now appear to be in very good shape -
no real rust on them or cracking that I can see. Any help on this matter would
be greatly appreciated. Also if you know of any other "problems" with the 454
that I should be aware of, please let me know.
Thank you again
Bruce Friedman
bfri...@buffnet.net
Ernest Smith
In article <52omtu$4...@nyx.cs.du.edu>, bfri...@nyx.cs.du.edu (Bruce
Friedman) wrote:
Will attempt to answer your questions/concerns with some information on the
subject. I am not an expert in this area but did a lot of research on the
subject.
1. Does Chevy have a TSB out on the problem? No. GM does not consider this
to be a problem with their design (neither does Ford on their 460). The
mainfolds that are on the 454 truck engine (which you have) are adquate for
the jobs they were designed for. They were "not:" designed for temperatures
exceeding 15000 deg F then rapidly cooling off. This happens when your motor
home pulls a long grade (they run cherry red) then cool off when you start
the downgrade. This heating and cooling will eventuall cause the manifolds
to crack or blow the gasket. The motorhome manufactures do not consider
this to be their problem because they do not design the motor. Thus a
"catch 22".
2. What exactly is the problem? The mainfolds on "some" motorhomes will
eventually start to leak. If most of your driving is on the level (no long
grades of 6%) you probably will not have a problem. Living out here in
the Northwest we have this problem all of the time (6% grades that is).
I went over 40000 miles on our 89 Southwind without major problems. Other
than replacing the donuts ( "gaskets" between the exhaust manifold and
exhaust pipes) twice. Then on a trip back from Cailf. I cracked the
left manifold and blew the gasket out in two places on the right one. When
this happens you loose almost all power (no back pressure).
3. How would I know if I have it? You have it because you have a "stock"
exhaust system and the engine is in a motorhome.
4. Any other problems with 454? The 454 is just as good/bad as the 460.
It burns a lot of fuel and really doesn't have the power to really do
the job you are trying to make it do. You can help correct this "lack of
power "problem and correct the manifold problem by going to an after-market
exhaust system. In my opinion the Ring Maifold solution is a inexpensive
means of correcting the manifold problem but with a couple of dollers
more you can really improve the performance of the engine. To do this
you need to install tuned manifolds (headers) and larger diameter exhaust
pipes along with a means of getting more air into the carburator. The
Gale Banks Company is one of the suppliers of a system like this. In my
case I went with the Turbo Shop system. Dough Thorley also makes tuned
manifolds for your application. Oh forgot to mention that you also need
to install less restrictive mufflers also (they come with most complete
systems).
Hope some of this helps.