[AMC-List] Re; Exhaust Manifold Mystery

["John Elle" <johnelle@xxxxxxxxx>]

Todd
 
Snip
I have a set of exhaust
manifolds from a 78 Matador and also a set from a Grand Wagoneer (late
70's,
not sure of the year).  I had always assumed that they were the same,
but
they're not.  The driver's side is the same, but the passenger side is
different.  The manifolds from the Wagoneer extend down 2 or 3 inches
lower
than the ones from the Matador.  Both were V8's of course.  The Matador
has a
360 and the Grand Wagoneer had a 401.
 
Can anybody shed any light on this?  Why would AMC have made two
different
parts for the passenger side?
 
Todd
Snip
 
Here is another variation of an answer to this question. 
The intermediate body style (or compact depending on your definition
that was announced in 1970) when used with the OEM V8 engine had to use
the 1970 "Log" type manifold to clear the strut rod mounting bracket on
the passenger side. This manifold was used originally only in 1970 on
the Dog Leg cylinder heads for the V8. The cars are the Gremlin, Hornet,
Concord and Spirit. All other AMC cars did not have this interference
problem. The "Free Flow" exhaust manifolds were announced in 1971 and
used supposedly exclusive on all other V8 applications to end of
production. If you were to install a V8 in an I6 equipped Hornet etc.
you either had to install the 1970 log type manifold on the passenger
side or notch the strut rod mount for clearance. Both of these
approaches have been done. The driver's side used the Freeflow manifold
introduced in 1971.
As any of the cars you have removed an engine from could have had some
time in the past a replacement engine installed that was originally in
one of the 4 cars with the interference problem that might be one source
of how they got that way. As the exhaust systems are not interchangeable
though but as some parts of the country such as where I live exhaust
systems are primarily bent to fit replacing the exhaust system is not a
difficult or even one that takes much thought. 
However periodically over the years I have run across reports of a
second type of freeflow exhaust manifolds that are physically larger
than the "normal" ones and when I do run across reports of them they
seem to be found on early to mid 70's Jeep truck applications which is
all I know about them. 
Last but not least, AMC has done some not quite understandable or
logical OEM assembly practices that defy description periodically which
in this case may have something to do with running out of parts at the
moment a particular car goes down the line.
While this is probably more information than you ever wanted to know, I
hope it helps answer the question 
John
 
 
_______________________________________________
AMC-List mailing list
AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list

or go to http://www.amc-list.com