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Leak in Hercules KBL exhaust manifold

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jim.eakin
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Leak in Hercules KBL exhaust manifold

Post by jim.eakin » Tue Jun 04, 2019 4:39 pm

I recently fired up a KBL engine that had been rebuilt a while ago. I am the first one to start and run the engine with water after the rebuild.

While I was fiddling with the carburetors, I was blasted by a spray of water from the exhaust manifold. I now see a rust spot where the leak is. Of course, it's likely there are more leaks elsewhere in the manifold.

I did find one source for a pressure tested manifold, but I would like not to spend that much(!) if I can find another way. I've been reading about using sodium silicate (stop leak) to repair leaks, but the sodium silicate needs to come in contact with a surface that is at least 100 deg. C (boiling). That's why it works on the hot parts inside a normal engine.

Anyone know of a way to seal the cracks in one of these manifolds? I'm trying to envision a way to run a solution through the manifold while it's heated.

Thank you for reading.
1952 CC Riviera 18, KBL

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mbigpops
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Re: Leak in Hercules KBL exhaust manifold

Post by mbigpops » Tue Jun 04, 2019 7:59 pm

Have it pressure tested and find someone that stitch welds cast iron.

If the crack is internal then throw it away and get a new one.

Mark
1953 CC Rocket Runabout "Rocket Man"

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jim.eakin
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Re: Leak in Hercules KBL exhaust manifold

Post by jim.eakin » Wed Jun 05, 2019 12:58 pm

Thanks, Mark.
That's pretty much what I was thinking, too. I did learn about stitch repair in my online research.
Won't know about the internals until pressure testing.
Who could I send this to to do the pressure testing, and if that's OK, to do the stitch weld?
1952 CC Riviera 18, KBL

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mbigpops
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Re: Leak in Hercules KBL exhaust manifold

Post by mbigpops » Wed Jun 05, 2019 1:35 pm

Where are you ?
1953 CC Rocket Runabout "Rocket Man"

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jim.eakin
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Re: Leak in Hercules KBL exhaust manifold

Post by jim.eakin » Wed Jun 05, 2019 3:30 pm

South Orange County, California. Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine.
1952 CC Riviera 18, KBL

mountaintop73
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Re: Leak in Hercules KBL exhaust manifold

Post by mountaintop73 » Tue Jun 11, 2019 8:07 pm

Try Harpur's Marine in Wilmington. He has a lot of parts for those. He found new exhaust elbows for my '72 XK. They have been in
business since The 40's. Strictly Chris Craft engines.. His name is Tom Harpur.

Mike

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jim.eakin
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Re: Leak in Hercules KBL exhaust manifold

Post by jim.eakin » Wed Jun 12, 2019 11:57 am

Thanks, Mike. I'll give Tom a call.

I did call Jim at Fine Wood Boats. His spin on it was it was likely a freeze crack and not a rust issue. He suggested the grind and JB Weld route.
Exhaust manifold leak.JPG
I see that you're located in Lake Arrowhead. Did you attend the Boat Show last Saturday? I was there and went to both dinner events. (I was the tallest guy in the room.) Maybe I'll see you at the Big Bear Lake show in August.
1952 CC Riviera 18, KBL

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