Hello Everyone,

So I just got a new dual exhaust put in the Vista Cruiser. It had a slight leak before the duals were put on that sounded like the type you get when you run headers. Just did about a 500 mile trip and the leak seems loader. I have stock manifolds with the heat riser valve in it. The valve moves freely but doesn't seem to open when hot. Question is, can you get exhaust leaks from the valve shaft or is it most likely just the manifold to block? Also, if I remove the valve, I've read that some weld the shaft holes up. Is this something I can do with a 110V mig welder? I didn't think you could weld cast iron.

Thanks,
Jim

 

Often old exhaust manifolds need to be milled to get a good seal to the head as they become pitted. You could try gaskets but over time they will likely fail. If wanting to remove the heat riser I leave the shaft in place as I never saw a leak at the shaft area and just cut out the flapper. If you remove the shaft you can tap threads in the hole and plug it with a bolt or pipe plug.

 

Good idea about drilling and tapping.

Thanks,
Jim