Blown manifold! Help please.

[centrix29]

Hi all of you experts out there.  I was driving down the highway this weekend when all of a sudden the sound of the engine changed for the worse.    After close inspection, I found a whole the size of my fist in one of my manifolds.   My engine is an 8v71 (non turbo) and the hole is on the radiator side manifold.

What's the best and most economical way to fix it? What can I expect while doing this job?

Thanks!

Pat

[Busted Knuckle]

Pat to put it simply, a new/used manifold is the only way to fix it!

Where are you/the bus located?

Also what yr and model is your bus? (that will help in searching for one! Also if possible take a picture or 2 and post them! Sometimes stuff like that is specific to a particular model, but when comparing it can be cross referenced with another application)

We are having a busnut gathering here at my place this weekend maybe some of us can network together & come up with one for you and get it close to you!

Bryce Gaston AKA BK
Lakeside Travel LLC
Union City, TN
731-885-7460

[bevans6]

I found a 2" hole in the elbow that comes down from my manifolds (the cast iron bits that bolt to the head) down to the muffler.  I just undid the band clamps, took it off and bead-blasted it (it looks like stainless, actually), hammer formed a patch and tig welded it on.  I'm under no illusions about how long it may last, but maybe just welding on a patch could get you going while you search for a new part.  If the hole is in the actual cast iron, those would be a ton harder to weld, and probaby easier to find used.

just a thought, anyway.

Brian

[centrix29]

Hi Bryce,

My bus is a 1980 Prevost LeMirage.  I am located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  I also have a ship shop that takes packages for me in Massena, NY 13662.  He charges a few dollars to hold items for a while.  Any place in Canada would be good though since I wouldn't have to deal with customs.

I was looking for a new one I think.  There is a used one on Eplace that looks a lot like mine. Item #180401143960.  I'd prefer new though.

What about the bolts on the engine.  Should I expect them to break in the block?

Thanks once again guys!

Pat

[bevans6]

Pat, where you parked in the paddock at Mosport at a car race around the beginning of August this year?  I was in my MCI, and I passed a Prevost that looks a lot like yours when I drove out into the outside camping area on Saturday after racing stopped.

Brian

[luvrbus]

If you want a used one call Virgil at Pedo @ 562-944-3199 with the casting number off the old one he will have it and the gaskets for 175 bucks, a new if you can find one will be around 500 bucks from DD.
Spray the  nuts with PartsBlaster and they wll come off .

good luck

[NJT 5573]

Pat,

I would just count on the bolts breaking off in the block. Thats always been my luck at least on one. Sometimes you can get lucky and no reason not to try. You may also have them come out of the block easier than the nuts come off. If this happens you will lose the coolant down to the level of the bolt hole. If they break, don't be concerned, they come right out with a small pipe wrench once the manifold is off. There will be alot of coolant you can leave in the block if you want to, (it's easier), just drop the level to the bolt hole in the head.

I would run by DD, get a gasket and 4 bolts. The bolts are about $3 each and if you don't use them all this time, there is always next time. On the turbo engines its easier for me to hook the exhaust pipes first then pull the manifolds down. That may not be an issue with natural aspiration.

I doubt there is anything rare about your manifold, you should be able to find one pretty easy. If you find a used one and I would, then be sure to clean it up along the gasket side and pipe connection end real well. I use a wire wheel. I would hope to find a used manifold for about $50 lying around some truck shop.