Dave (and others) - Thanks for your responses. I think it would be worthwhile to post them to the group, since a lot of people may have the same question. I've included Dave's response below. BTW, I wouldn't bet the rent that the exhaust manifold is clogged with carbon. I had the engine rebuilt 8000 miles ago. Also had hardened valve seats installed. I paid an extra $125 for this service. Very worthwhile. Ron ---------- > From: David Grove Grove Automotive <groveautomotive@xxxxxx> > To: ronbo97@xxxxxxxx > Subject: Re: [FWDLK] Exhaust Manifold Heat Riser > Date: Sunday, November 08, 1998 3:15 PM > > Ron - in your case, your mechanic is right - you might notice some > driveability problems in cold weather with the heat riser open - but I > doubt it. On cars built in the mid 70's up until fuel injection it's a > different story. They hesitate, backfire, stall, etc, due to the leaner > mixtures calibrated into the carburetor, where heat is needed to vaporize > the fuel. I would not hesitate to say that undoubtedly the passages in > your intake manifold that allow the exhaust heat to travel from one bank to > the other are plugged up solid with carbon anyway! Unless you have a big > block engine - I would almost guarantee it. Therefore - you must keep the > valve in the open position (all the way), or you may end up with some > burned valves on the right bank. While it is true that your fuel milage > would be better with a "hot" intake - I don't think the driveability will > suffer, the only thing you might notice is improper choke operation (if you > have a "divorced" choke - I can't remember), it may take a long time for > the choke to open all the way. DaveG. > > ---------- > > From: Ron Waters <Ronbo97@xxxxxxxx> > > To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > > Subject: [FWDLK] Exhaust Manifold Heat Riser > > Date: Sunday, November 08, 1998 5:06 PM > > > > There is a manifold heat riser on the right exhaust manifold of my 58 > > Plymouth. Like most of these things, mine is frozen up. A mechanic I > > spoke to told me that they're not really necessary unless you plan to > drive > > your car in icy cold weather. Since I only drive the Plymouth on warm > > days, is this a good solution ? What I actually did was open it up 2/3 > of > > the way, so a little heat will go up while most will go out the tailpipe. > > Any thoughts on this ? > > > > Ron |