1949 PONTIAC STRAIGHT 8 HEAT CONTROL SPRING:

[willdrex]

Hello, I have a 1949 with the straight 8. I'm doing some repairs and removed the manafold. The heat control spring on the exhaust manafold is shot. Can anyone tell me were to find one? Thanks.

Bill Drexel

[Larry]

Try contacting some of our Affiliate Commercial Suppliers. Look under "Affiliates" in the heading bar. They will give you a nice discount too as a PontiacRegistry.com member.

For sure, check: Kurt Kelsey, California Pontiac Restoration, Then and Now, and Brake and Equipment Warehouse.

Let us know how you make out so others might know if they are in the same situation.

[willdrex]

Thanks Larry, I could not find an answer to my question. I would now like to know if this MANIFOLD HEAT CONTROL THERMOSTATIC SPRING AND COUNTERWEIGHT can be removed from the manifold and not used at all. There most be other restorers that have run into this. What would be the problem if I ran without it? Can someone help me on this? Thanks

Bill

[Larry]

If this is the spring that opens and closes a flapper valve inside the exhaust manifold, commonly referred to as a hear riser on the newer cars, then there is no problem removing it. Just make certain that the flapper on the inside is permanently stuck/locked in the open position.

Many people remove the heat risers over the years because of bad springs, getting stuck, etc. The only reason they are there in the first place is because when the engine is cold, the spring closes the valve, thus causing the backed up exhaust (that doesn't sound good, huh?!) to make the engine heat up quicker. This is most needed in the cold climates and hardly comes into play in the warmer areas, or during the summertime. Even in cooler mornings and such, I'm betting you will never notice a difference. I'm guessing your '49 isn't going to be your winter tranportation anyway, so have at it.

Note: if the spring still looks OK, again, just make sure the valve is stuck in the open position and leave it on just for looks. If you go for points judging and someone says your heat valve is stuck, say "Gee, it must have just happened."

[willdrex]

Thanks Larry,
That is what I wanted to hear. The shaft is frozen and will not move, I tried to free it up, but with no luck. I can free up the flipper to move it to the open position. I may cut it out, but as you say, I will lose points on judging. I wasn't sure how important it was for running. The car will not be run in winter. I live in Wisconsin, and it get's very cold. Thanks again, you were a lot of help.

Bill D

[50scars]

There was an article last summer in SMOKE SIGNALS detailing how to use a battery charger and a bath of washing soda to derust parts. I did it to an old manifold I have and it freed the heat riser just fine.

[Larry]

There are ways, as our early '50s Tech Advisor reports, to free up these parts. If the manifold is off, Marvel Mystery Oil and a very slow running clock (read as calendar) may free it up too. Gentle tapping a little here and there will help-- avoid trying to twist until you see some movement begin with the tapping.

The only problem with freeing it up might be a little exhaust leaking around the shaft if it is knarled up from the rust. Also, if the spring is pooped out too, why bother?

You're up in Wisconsin, huh? Where 'bouts? I hail from Milwaukee, growing up in Menomonee Falls, and living in Wauwatosa before getting smart and moving to Florida 25 years ago. Actually, we'll see how smart as we head into another late summer/fall hurricane season!

[willdrex]

I think I will leave it be for now, and spot the flipper in the open position to avoid any leaks. Larry, I think you made the right move going south. My home town is Fond du Lac, but live in St. Cloud. That's between FDL and Sheboygan. This winter was the worst that I can remember, and I'm 71 years old. This summer has been bad also. Lots of rain and flooding, and the mosquitoes are unbelievable bad. I live on a lake and we can't enjoy it at all this year. I should have stock in "off Repellent" Both my neighbors are snow birds to Florida.

PS: 50scars, I have never heard of using a battery charger like that. I wll keep that in my knot book. I would like to know what the procedure is to do it.

Thanks to all for the help.

Bill D

[Larry]

Fond du Lac is a pretty area if you can catch it when it isn't snowing or raning. We used to drive from Menomonee Falls to your Fleet Farm before they finally built one in Menomonee Falls. Those good looking FF tires made by Kelly Springfield were dirt cheap. But they were 6-ply and rode like concrete. Sure could get some miles out of them!

Hope you get a break and get some summer before the snow flys again.

Take care,
Larry