I recently did some parts trading and thought I came out OK but started cleaning off the intake and noticed a small crack. Check out the photo and tell me how serious you think it is. Is it something I need to worry about trying to find someone to fix or can I fix it some other way?


http://members.cox.net/bunkie21/002.JPG

http://members.cox.net/bunkie21/003.JPG

Not real serious, but if you are selling it probably best to get it fixed. Anyone that welds aluminum should be able to do it for you. Just "vee" out the crack, weld it up, smooth the outside down with a sanding roll and run a pipe tap through it to make sure the threads are ok.

See the Camaro Hi Perf website because Jerry McNiesh(SP?) can fit it no problem,he does great mteal/AL/cast iron repairs,he has many pics i his site of reapirs he has done,very nice work.

I had Jerry restore and SS sleeve a master cyl and heaalso restored/recurved a dist for me too,very nice work and no problem with Jerry.

Scott

Did you use teflon tape on that fitting??????????

I would guess the crack happened during the fitting removal process, those threads look pretty corroded.

I just traded for the intake. I'm not sure how it happened just gotta get it fixed. My guess is that who ever did it used teflon tape. Thanks for the info.

I just traded for the intake. I'm not sure how it happened just gotta get it fixed. My guess is that who ever did it used teflon tape. Thanks for the info.

Teflon tape has cracked more intakes cast iron and aluminum

Really? I did not know that... please explain.

Really? I did not know that... please explain.

Try it for yourself and you see what I am talking about!!

I cracked an aluminum intake like that a few years ago... I think it was more me over torqueing it than it was the teflon tape.

I cracked an aluminum intake like that a few years ago... I think it was more me over torqueing it than it was the teflon tape.

:yes:

It's too bad that teflon tape has to take the rap for so many failures.
The type of pipe threads used on those manifolds are a tapered pipe thread. If you overtighten a pipe fitting with nothing on it, the manifold will crack. On ther other hand, the proper amount of teflon tape on a 1/2" or 3/4" pipe size is ONE revolution clockwise as looking at the end of the pipe or fitting with a slight overlap. The tape should be started about one thread back from the end so it does not end up in the pipe stream. Pipe sizes like 1 1/4" to 2" and used pipe threads need two revolutions.
Compression fittings and flare fittings NEVER require any type of pipe sealing compound because the threads only hold the fittings together and have nothing to do with sealing the connection.
In a pinch you can clean the threads annd the part that is cracked and get a reducer bushing. In this case you would get a 1/2" to 3/8" bushing and with everything clean, mix some JB Weld and coat the cracked section, then use the JB as piupe dope on the bushing and screwit in until it is just snug. Let cure overnight and then either plug with a 3/8" pipe plug or hopefully your sensor is 3/8".
After everything is back together you probably won't even notice the repair. The epoxy just looks like pipe dope after it sets.
I've repaired them using both brass and galvanized bushings into aluminum and cast iron with no problems from the dissimilar metals.
Squido

the teflon tape makes the threads slide smoothly, making it easier to overtighten the pipefitting. It's not the tapes fault, just be more carefull.