Replacing Risers/Elbows and Exhaust Manifolds on a Ford/OMC Cobra 5.8 Ltr

[KM7]

Sounds like you used a generic hose and not one shaped for this application. I could use the existing hose, which would get me 2/3 of the way there and then add a straight section to go the extra 8 inches to the opening, then a 90 deg. fitting going into the manifold. Because the existing hose is shaped to go around the accessories on the engine, for example, the power steering pump, it would fit better. What are your thoughts?

 

[Lou C]

Do you have a pic of what your OEM set up looked like? I think with these hoses the main thing is that it doesn’t get kinked & restrict water flow….

 

[Lou C]

And...are you sure there isn't a pipe plug in the front and rear of the exhaust manifolds? This is how all the other Barr manifolds I have seen are, you remove the front pipe plug and use the hose fitting for the 3/4" ID hoses, you can use the rear one to drain it for winterization. The ones on top, might be for casting reasons, or perhaps for the exit on a full closed cooling system, but I'd be really surprised if there weren't pipe plugs on the front and rear.
For a raw water cooled system, which is what most boats have, a top inlet for the exhaust manifold does not make sense.

 

[KM7]

Lou or anyone.
I see that you: "First thing I did with my Barr conversion. After I took the paint off, they were just about perfect…"

I also have Barr manifolds. I am cleaning off the paint from the mating surfaces. That is a lot of work with a sanding block and a paint scraper!!
What did you use?
Can I use a wire wheel on a drill if I'm careful? That seemed to work very well on the head.

 

[KM7]

And...are you sure there isn't a pipe plug in the front and rear of the exhaust manifolds? This is how all the other Barr manifolds I have seen are, you remove the front pipe plug and use the hose fitting for the 3/4" ID hoses, you can use the rear one to drain it for winterization. The ones on top, might be for casting reasons, or perhaps for the exit on a full closed cooling system, but I'd be really surprised if there weren't pipe plugs on the front and rear.
For a raw water cooled system, which is what most boats have, a top inlet for the exhaust manifold does not make sense.

You were right! There is a hose port on the side, about the same place it was on the OEM manifold. Now I just need a fitting to screw into the port that will attach to the hose. Headed to the hardware store now ...

 

[Lou C]

Don't your old manifolds have that fitting? Mine original ones fit the threads in the Barr manifolds.
Ahh just checked them, looks like the nipple for the hose was part of the casting.
Mine came with these:
see the 90* fitting?

 

[Lou C]

About the mating surfaces I just used a razor blade scraper carefully. Then very light sand with medium grit sanding block.