Are these manifolds regular or dry joint?

[ashedd]

My mechanic tells me these are dry joint manifolds. When I pressed him about it he says the manifold itself is the same between the two, it's just that a dry joint manifold has a different riser and that a blocking gasket is used between the manifold and riser. I think these manifolds are old wet joint manifolds. The engine is getting rebuilt because of water intrusion into the block.









The new engine is installed, just need to put the manifolds on. But since he's taking sooo long to finish the job I just might buy new manifolds and install them myself.

 

[ashedd]

Also, are Aqua Power manifolds still made? Were/are they a decent manifold? I've got the same set on the other engine

 

[Fun Times]

Merc is pretty much the only ones that have the dry joint system. The info below should help you a lot..
http://bpi.ebasicpower.com/search_2/show.php?q=5.7L+mercruiser+manifold
How to determine if you have Dry-Joint Exhaust
Click here if you have a Dry Joint Exhaust

 

[ashedd]

I'll check it out, thanks. I have FWC, it's a mercruiser 350(about 1998 vintage), and I'm in salt water. From my research I think the old style joint will be ok with FWC. I have no problems with inspecting the joint gasket annually.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would buy new manifolds. and since those are not mercuiser manifolds and they are aftermarket, they are not dry joint

 

[Bt Doctur]

The manifolds being a full system there is no corrosion in them just AF, and it looks like the risers are SS too

 

[ashedd]

Ok I think I got it all figured out....
These are "wet" but I should us a blocking plate since I'm FWC. That way the AF stays in the manifold and the raw water stays in the riser, and exchanger of course.

My mechanic went MIA.... He had my old manifolds, these in the pics, machined due to pitting at the flange for the riser. He still has the manifolds because he wanted to reinstall the engine without them, said it was easier. If I don't hear from him this week then I'm buying new manifolds and finishing it myself. Just need manifolds, raw water pump bolting on, hoses, and harness hooked back up. Then cam break in and I should be good.

 

[ashedd]

Am I understanding correctly...

The manifolds should be OK since they only have AF in them. And the risers I can remove once a year and inspect the joints and replace if necessary?

I have only ever had outboards. But I like to do my own maintenance since I don't trust anybody else.

 

[achris]

As already stated, those are the older style 'wet joint' manifolds. But as you have FWC, and those exhaust elbows look like stainless (GET THEM BACK!), you are essentially manifold/elbow maintenance free. I had exactly that combination on my previous engine, and didn't touch the elbows for the 14 years I had them. I sold that engine to a friend, and the elbows are still untouched. No 'annual inspection' required....

If you put cast elbows on, inspect every 4 to 5 years. But honestly, get those S/S elbows back off him...

Chris.......

 

[ashedd]

I did hear from him and he say's he'll try to install them Friday, or Tuesday. I'll just ask for the manifolds back if he doesn't get them on by Friday. I can have the boat in the water by Saturday if I do it myself. I hate paying double moorage... I have an empty wet slip and also this dry storage where the engine work is being done. This weekend will be the five week mark on when we started all this. Meanwhile I'm giving boat rides in my 10' inflatable dinghy