I just received an e-mail from Paul at Ram Air Restorations. He says they will have their version of the Long Branch Exhaust Manifolds available around mid-March. They will sell for $399.00 and should be near replicas (weight, mounting holes, and casting numbers) as the original Pontiac units.

They already have the flanges, oil filter relocation kit and exhaust systems on the shelf. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Do you know if they are going to put the heat riser valve and assembly in the right manifold?

I suspect not, but thought I'd ask.

I hope they come through. I've already done the oil filter relocation, I've got my brand new head pipes hanging there by straps in position waiting for something to bolt up to. It will be getting warm soon and I want to drive my bird.

Is anynoe else worried that we will be testing their new product?

I thought the heat riser was a plate that bolted to the head to scavenge heat off the exhaust manifold which then diverted it to the intake through a temp control valve. My long branch have no extra holes? Pete

i think you're thinking of the hot air intake. it works off a heatshield around the exhaust manifold, and scavenges excess heat.

the heat riser on a v8 blocks half the engine's exhaust with a butterfly at the end of one exhaust manifold, and redirects it thru the intake manifold crossover, to come out the other exhaust manifold.

they can either be built into the manifold, near the pipe flange, or are a separate piece between manifold and pipe. usually are bimetal spring operated, but sometimes vacuum too.

Good description Scott.

It is an integral part of the right longbranch on my 68. A valve, weight and temp device that looks like a spring. Once they started rattling I think many guys wired them open.

I know the RH Manifold part number 9791607 came with one.

I'll check on the heat riser. Let you know as soon as I hear from him.

Ahhh... I get it now.

Are you guys talking about the factory stock long branch manifolds or the Super D port long branch manifold that he is working on?

Stock Long Branch, not the Super Duty copies.

The Super Duty ones will come in either Cast Iron or Aluminum. Somehow I just can't see running Aluminum exhaust manifolds unless you have all the tuning dialed in perfectly first. What a shame it would be to burn through a set of $800 headers because your timing or mixture was screwed up. Imagine what would happen if your vacuum advance were to go out .... maybe I am worried about nothing.

Q

Just received an e-mail from RARE. Their upcoming D-port long branch manifolds will not have heat riser valves. Oh well.

I'm not talking about super duty. I'm talking about Pauls 3" d port long branch.

Sorry ... I guess I read a little too much into that.

I understand that both are to become available at about the same time. Should have been here by now, but there are always delays with new castings.

Q

Just got this from RARE

our Dport LB project is in the "foundry pour" in a Wisconsin foundry at this time. We should receive LH castings in 2 weeks and RH castings in 3 weeks. As this project has evolved the design too evolved. Our dport LB, while externally are exact as originals, internally they have longer runner dividers and terminate in larger collector 2.5" i.d. Our work on a 3" dport has been put on hold until the completion of our 2.5" DPort. Re-evaluation of our plan for a 3" collector dport will occur over the next several months. If you need to move on your project I'd encourage you to select the 2.5" dports. Give a call when you're ready and thanks for your interest and patience.
Paul at RARE

All,

1967 D Port Ram Air long branch exhaust manifolds from Paul at pontiaction <pontiaction@sbcglobal.net> are now available. I purchased a set and they arrived today. The seem to be excellent quality reproductions. And yes no riser. I am sure Paul will be posting soon to let everyone know. Casting numbers are LH is 9779495 and RH 9791607. Thought you would like to know. FYI for now.