I'm not sure that I'm using the right term, but the damper that's operated by the thermostatic spring at the bottom of my exhaust manifold seems to be rattling around.

What's the easiest way to remove it? Are there screws on the plate inside the manifold? Can I just cut the shaft it turns on? I really don't want to take the exhaust manifold off the engine. Any tips?

I'm in TX, so the benefits I get from the set-up are fairly minimal, especially if it's already malfunctioning.

thanks,

Joe

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Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"

You will have to take the manifold off to take the heat riser valve out. The flapper valve is held onto the shaft by spot welds and those will have to be ground down. I did this to a spare manifold I had to replace the cracked original I was running. The thermostatic spring was broke so I removed it and pluged the holes with some bolts (3/8" if I remember right). No leaks, and no drivability issues.

I had a problem with the spring on mine; it would close when cold, but was just flopping around when warm. I just wired it open. Might make a difference in really cold weather on time to warmup or even carburetor icing, but I haven't noticed here in Florida.

Eric, have you noticed that these valves really don't get stuck like they used to? I looked at a can of Mopar heat riser solvent and it said something like "dissolves lead deposits". I am guessing that running unleaded fuel has made the difference.