Exhaust Manifold Question

[jakwi]

Hi all,
I was just wondering what the consensus is on exhaust manifold quality?
Last time I used Mercruiser brand, but of course GLM, and Sierra are quite a bit cheaper. Is it worth it?

Also last time I went with ecoated, is the ceramic worth the premium?

I operate mostly in Brackish water with maybe 10% of the time in Fresh water, and maybe once or twice a year in the open ocean.

I was able to get right at 5 years out of my last set, wet joint.
Thanks

 

[Scott06]

Hi all,
I was just wondering what the consensus is on exhaust manifold quality?
Last time I used Mercruiser brand, but of course GLM, and Sierra are quite a bit cheaper. Is it worth it?

Also last time I went with ecoated, is the ceramic worth the premium?

I operate mostly in Brackish water with maybe 10% of the time in Fresh water, and maybe once or twice a year in the open ocean.

I was able to get right at 5 years out of my last set, wet joint.
Thanks

I would look at Barr as they are generally considered to be comparable to OEM. GLM I think got hit or miss reviews here. Some comments on the sealing surface being not flat on them.

You might look if you can upgrade to dry joints for added protection, at least if it leaks it won't leak into the engine. If you are getting 5 years out of OEM, given the cost of repowering you did I wouldn't mess around with lower end manifolds

 

[jakwi]

Yeah, for me it's all cost/benefit analysis,

I got 5 years by using a homemade saltaway solution. I'd really hopped to get more, but I'm seeing signs that my starboard side is due. It's a shame because the port side looks much, much better. Not sure why the difference.

I've thought about dry joints, but its significantly more expensive. I'm not sure I'd double my life expectancy out of them.

The repower was done by the PO, but I'm doing my best to make sure it doesn't happen again.

That's interesting about BARR, I'll have to check them out. Thanks!

 

[Jmunk]

I put a set of Barr on my engine, no complaints. The kit came with bolts and gaskets.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Barr is the OEM casting house for Edelbrock, Volvo Penta, Mercruiser and others.

GLM stands for Good Luck Marine.

Osco sold the casting business to Sierra. Name only, none of the equipment or talent

With that stated. OEM or Barr

 

[Pmt133]

I priced out a manifold and elbow set for my 4.3l with my local marina... about a $100 difference between the OEM parts and aftermarket... at this point in time... that's nothing. I was expecting much worse honestly.

 

[jakwi]

Looks like the best deal for me was OEM at nuwave, $1400 shipped with the 3 inch extensions. That's about $200 more than last time I think. I will continue to watch the BARR products though for next time. Thanks all.

 

[Scott06]

Looks like the best deal for me was OEM at nuwave, $1400 shipped with the 3 inch extensions. That's about $200 more than last time I think. I will continue to watch the BARR products though for next time. Thanks all.

Thats a good price MM is about $1210 for barr manifolds, hardware/gaskets, and 3" risers plus shipping . If you are getting OEM delivered for $1400 you're in good shape.

 

[jakwi]

Yeah that's what I thought, plus free shipping. I looked it up I actually paid about 1000 last time, so it's gone up $400

 

[tank1949]

Yeah, for me it's all cost/benefit analysis,

I got 5 years by using a homemade saltaway solution. I'd really hopped to get more, but I'm seeing signs that my starboard side is due. It's a shame because the port side looks much, much better. Not sure why the difference.

I've thought about dry joints, but its significantly more expensive. I'm not sure I'd double my life expectancy out of them.

The repower was done by the PO, but I'm doing my best to make sure it doesn't happen again.

That's interesting about BARR, I'll have to check them out. Thanks!

Pull risers and inspect and acetone test if passages appear clear of crap. You will have to block off some water passages for test.

 

[wdoc15]

I'm in Brazil and needing right now exhaust manifolds for a 5.7 350 Mag Horizon, found in a local steel shop some oem, made in one piece as showed in the pictures, Wet version, Any comments ?

I was wondering WHY Mercury made in 3 pieces (my case) Manifold + Riser + Elbow.

Is a temperature issue? I will guess maintenance is not the issue, since every time I need to change the 3 pieces together, never see a partial change.

 

[04fxdwgi25]

I'm in Brazil and needing right now exhaust manifolds for a 5.7 350 Mag Horizon, found in a local steel shop some oem, made in one piece as showed in the pictures, Wet version, Any comments ?

I was wondering WHY Mercury made in 3 pieces (my case) Manifold + Riser + Elbow.

Is a temperature issue? I will guess maintenance is not the issue, since every time I need to change the 3 pieces together, never see a partial change.

Those look like welded together home made risers. I'd pass for sure.

Pretty clever, but no thanx.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The factory cast pieces are made so different risers can be used, and different elbows can be used. Changing the style of gasket will allow the change from a raw water cooled system to a heat exchanger.

Also, the individual pieces are easier to cast.

The picture shows a welded sheet metal setup. It may be made correctly, it may be made wrong.

 

[wdoc15]

The factory cast pieces are made so different risers can be used, and different elbows can be used. Changing the style of gasket will allow the change from a raw water cooled system to a heat exchanger.

Also, the individual pieces are easier to cast.

The picture shows a welded sheet metal setup. It may be made correctly, it may be made wrong.

When you say made wrong, things like small water passage, bad water flow, thin iron wall?
I asked for the manufacturer internal pictures, but here in BR prices are absurd for GLM, Sierra or Mercury, around USD 4.000,00 a pair of Manifold, Risers and Elbows. The OEM piece US$ 1.300 a pair.

 

[Lou C]

I’ve had good luck with Barr. I have 5 seasons on my present set and I scoped them with a bore scope and they look fine inside, no sign of leaks or rust in the bottom of the manifold…Since I got the scope I added checking the manifolds to my end of season maintenance (compression test, oil analysis and check manifolds).

 

[wdoc15]

Those look like welded together home made risers. I'd pass for sure.

Pretty clever, but no thanx.

yeah, carbon steel, welded, in the commercial engines in Rio de Janeiro, the guy is some of artist and made a lot of sales, but I still not "buying" his ideia, in my opinion welded x cast iron, cast iron wins for sure, but I decided to learn more about his project.

 

[Lou C]

There was a company in Australia selling one piece welded stainless manifolds; these look great but I have heard of some failures (burn thru on the exhaust ports). The idea was to eliminate the elbow/manifold joint and stainless to reduce corrosion. I think the company is Hy Tec marine.
As far as price for my engine (4.3 V6, later OMC/Volvo style exhaust) there’s a bigger price difference between Volvo OEM & Barr. I’m lucky because I can drive out to a Barr distributor (Lighthouse Marine) and therefore save on shipping heavy manifolds. About an hr drive from where I live…

 

[wdoc15]

showing internal components, as I understand water flow maybe a problem, turns and etc, inside everything is not rounded, as I think the cast iron version.
Anyone already splitted an old manifold to see inside?

 

[wdoc15]

There was a company in Australia selling one piece welded stainless manifolds; these look great but I have heard of some failures (burn thru on the exhaust ports). The idea was to eliminate the elbow/manifold joint and stainless to reduce corrosion. I think the company is Hy Tec marine.
As far as price for my engine (4.3 V6, later OMC/Volvo style exhaust) there’s a bigger price difference between Volvo OEM & Barr. I’m lucky because I can drive out to a Barr distributor (Lighthouse Marine) and therefore save on shipping heavy manifolds. About an hr drive from where I live…

Lou, can you please identify name or contact of this company in Australia?

 

[wdoc15]

found this ones (stainless steel) in Australia, (marinetorq) , US$ 3.400 AUD each....