Calling turbo experts. Manifold issues.

[stu]

So I bought this manifold from Justin a while ago and everything seemed cool. But when I was a TEC getting flanges and gaskets, and Jim was checking out the manifold (pointing out that they used weld els) when he noticed that the manifold was warped. Because I bought like $100 in parts, he said he'd machine it for me for free, which he did. So anyway, you can see in the pictures the right most, I don't know what to call it....gap, has been pushed shut by the warping. He plained it flat for me, and told me to just redrill the hole. Well, I did that tonight, but since the first runner has pulled in on itself to close that gap, rather than cracking, I can't get it to fit on the bolts now. I don't know whether I should have someone try and bend it back out, or just have someone re-drill one of the outside holes. I imagine that trying to bend it will seriously weaken it, and I just now noticed that the outermost hole on the other side is drilled out up and down, so I don't think it'd make much of a difference if it was left-right on this side. Here are the pics. Anyone help me out?

Oh yeah, and what is the bolt pattern to put the manifold back on for a B18A so I can get that on there the right way. TIA.
~Stu

[stu]

See how this hole is extended up and down? I don't see why I couldn't do that to the other one only left and right. It's the one in the upper left hand corner.

Oh yeah, and you can see that it's all shiney from Jim plaining it for me. He is a cool guy. I highly recommend those guys down at TEC. I spent like two hours there and they helped me the whole time and were very patient and friendly, even Jim.

[stu]

Oh yeah, the good news is, it looks like I won't have to shave my block or replace my radiator. Yay. Now I just need some money to get a down-pipe, exhaust, and someone to help me with the oil drain line and I'm ready to go. :D

[stu]

Anyone?

[john]

I'd say that as long as the runners are able to be lined up with the exhaust ports on the head, you should be ok.

I wonder what caused the thing to go warped like that?

[ricewizard]

man doesnt sound good, you can try to drill but that will also weakin it and with that kinda warp^will it align with the port on the head?^

[Mark_H]

I can't really tell exactly what the issue is. But I suppose if slightly notching one of those holes would get the manifold to slide on the two bolts coming out of the head then that should be fine.
Mark

[stu]

Yeah, it's only warped enough to close that gap in the pictures. All the ports should line up just fine, just one of the bolt holes needs to be extended now. If you look at the first and second pictures, you can see that on the top of the flange, the angel isn't straight across on both sides of the closed gap, it goes down slightly after the gap. The manifold warped from the heat, and instead of cracking at the weld, it pulled in on itself, but since it had to have done it while it was actually on the car, I think that all the ports will line up just fine still. Anyone with a drill press want to extend one of the holes for me?

[ricewizard]

ive got access to a press if you want to try stu. let me know.

[stu]

Okay, I know where you work.

[ricewizard]

just let me know we will have to do it after 5-6pm in brighton or on saturday

[stu]

Don't you mean at Honda Stuff?

Also, I was just looking at the manifold, and there is like no room to drill there. If you look at the last picture I posted, there is that much room on both sides of the manifold, do you think if we just did a little bit of drilling on each side that we could get enough room to fit it on the studs? It's only off by like an 1/8th of an inch.

[HONDA GHANDI]

Its pretty typical that they will do that. I dont see a problem getting it on. You should not have to drill it. I have had to heat them before and flex them to get them on but it doesnt hurt anything. They are made to move a little bit anyway, so they dont crack.

[stu]

Oh okay, that makes sense. I forgot all about the easy bake manifold process.

Well Chris, it looks like Tobi's stealing work from you even after he quit. What a bastard huh? ;)

[Pang]

Max-Rev= good manfolds.

[shane]

there is a special GM tool for spreading manifolds. find someone that is a GM tech and they might have one. it was designed for use on warped exhaust manifolds.

[stu]

I'll keep that in mind if the oven method doesn't work, thanks Shane. I just happen to know a tech that works across the dealership from some GM techs.

[Skaterkid]

What's your problem with the oil drain line?

[stu]

No problems, I just don't know how to tap the pan. I'm not sure if I want to screw something in and seal it, or weld something in. Also, I was under the impression that you need to have your downpipe in place before you tap your pan.

[Skaterkid]

Yeah you want to see how your downpipe lines up so that you can plan where to put the tap. I'm using a brass barb threaded into the pan and held on with a nut. Then I used a washer on the contact surface of the barb and the pan and the nut and the pan. Sealed with RTV. No leaks. My friend also has this setup and he has no leaks also. The only problem is getting all the metal shavings out of your pan once you drill.

[SlamMan]

And make sure you don't tap it somewhere that makes it imposible to get access to one of the bolts on the drain pan.

[HONDA GHANDI]

Here's the oil return flange setup on Alex's car. No leakies so far.

[ricewizard]

hey stu let me know if the oven works. i did find a guy who has a spreader last night.

[stu]

Thanks Chris I will.

Tobi, is it okay that it goes sideways like that?

[HONDA GHANDI]

ONce it heats up and is bolted down it will find its home and straighten up.
Or Ill kick its ass.

[ricewizard]

yea kinda like the two kill shots to the back of the head of your buddy?

[HONDA GHANDI]

eh?

[stu]

I meant the oil return line, but we already talked about that. My real question though, is, since Jim Surfaced the manifold to make it even, and now that I know that it was fine and I have to heat it up. NOW, when I heat it up and bolt it on, isn't that one area not going to line up the right way?

[HONDA GHANDI]

Itll be fine. Stop being a bitch and put it on already.

[stu]

Haha, I nearly won in poker last night, but I'm still financially challanged at the moment. ;)