I'm trying to figure out how to plug the hole in the right exhaust manifold where the choke stove components originally connected. Currently have an electric choke on new carb, but the original exhaust manifolds with a hole where the original choke/carb connection was.

Is there an easy way to plug what effectively seems like nothing more than an exhaust leak at this point?

Will take "buy new headers" as an answer if you can also provide a way to my wife to pay for it :)

Newbie to this forum and to my recently acquired '64 El Camino so forgive me if I get some terminology wrong here.


--ERIC

Are you talking about where a tube attaches to the manifold and then to the carb? If so, the the tube runs through the manifold and exits at the bottom of the manifold. If the tube isn't rusted through it shouldn't be an exhaust leak at all since the tube is solid all the way through the manifold. It is only used to provide heated air to the carb for operating the choke. When the entire system is in place the tube runs from the choke on the carb (which supplies vacuum to move the air inside the tube), down through the manifold and back up to the air cleaner so that filtered air is supplied to the system.

Bottom line, if the tube in the manifold is in good condition you shouldn't have to plug anything. If exhaust is leaking out this hole when the engine is running (and you know it because it would be loud and obviously leaking) then the tube inside is broken or rusted through. You'll just have to plug the hole with some kind of metal repair that can withstand high temperatures. I'm pretty sure JB Weld makes a high temp version of their metal repair goo. If not, there is a product available from POR15 which is specifically for repairing exhaust manifolds. OR, you can just replace that manifold with a good one.

That's exactly what I am talking about. It is loud, and obviously leaking (nice exhaust smear up the valve cover). I didn't think to look at the bottom of the manifold, so from what you say it's likely that I have two "leaks"

Thanks for the lesson on how that system originally worked.


--ERIC

That's exactly what I am talking about. It is loud, and obviously leaking (nice exhaust smear up the valve cover). I didn't think to look at the bottom of the manifold, so from what you say it's likely that I have two "leaks"

Thanks for the lesson on how that system originally worked.


--ERIC

Yes, if the tube inside is leaking you'll have two holes to fill.