I've got a 68' cutlass with a Rocket 350. After looking at the assembly manual last night I see I'm supposed to have this heat pipe coming from my exhaust manifold to the air cleaner. Well, needless to say I'm missing this heat pipe. What is the purpose of this? Any disadvantages to not having it on?

The cover over top the exhaust manifold is there, just missing the pipe and the two screws that hold it to the manifold cover.

 

That is the heat stove on your exhaust manifold which routes hot air to the thermac door on your air cleaner. All this does is allow for easier starting and idle when the engine is cold.

This was one of the first things I got rid of when I bought my 71 Olds 98. It isn't necessary. If you're keeping your Olds all original you might want to buy another pipe to attache your air cleaner to the heat stove; otherwise, don't worry about it (in fact, remove that ugly heat stove from your exhaust manifold).

 

So that's what that thing is for...really?!! Yea, I believe I'll be removing that bad boy soon Thanks for the information!!

 

No problem.

 

If you remove it, don't wreck it...some people will pay real money for those parts.

 

+1. They're extremely hard to find.

As usual, the Chassis Service Manual is your friend (Chapter 6N):



- Eric

 

Thanks for the heads-up. I planned on just tossing it in the box of old rusty parts for now. Maybe I'll clean it up real nice and post it up on here for sale

 

I bought a heat stove set-up for a '68 big block out of FLA. I paid about $50 or maybe $60 plus shipping a couple of years ago. On the ROP site.