EXHAUST MANIFOLD - Repair or replace?

[xjnco]

Friday, after a 25 mile commute from Johnstown to Hwy 7 in his stock '97 XJ, (4.0 - Auto), feeling nauseated, my 26 yr old son had a friend take him to the ER room.
The doctors diagnosed him with a bad case of carbon monoxcide poisoning. He complained of poor mileage and a noisy motor in his jeep.
I find this out after my ex calls and wants to borrow my Honda Accord for him to drive until he saves some money for repairs.
Searching this site I find out that the cheapest repair is to weld the cracked manifold. How long would it take to replace the manifold vs welding?
Is there anyone one up north that has this welding capability or should I go ahead and get an E-bay manifold and gasket and just replace it.
I pickedf this one: http://www.ineedparts.com/auto-part...st-manifolds/jeep-exhaust-manifold-15343.html
I'm having the jeep towed to my house this afternoon, where it will sit until it's fixed.
I do have an unheated 2 car garage that can be used for the repair and basic hand tools, but no welding equipment.

What should I look out for? Any suggestions?

 

[Frank Z]

http://www.ineedparts.com/auto-part...st-manifolds/jeep-exhaust-manifold-15343.html

Used to be Automotive Parts Network, guess they got bought out.

 

[ChiXJeff]

You might want to check the floorpans for rotted out areas as well.

Realistically, you'll spend at least half of what that manifold sells for just to weld up the old one. And if the crack is gets down between the pipes in the collectors, it'll be darned hard to weld up anyway. And, you'll have to wait between removing and installing to have it welded.

You don't need much beyond basic hand tools, except for a torque wrench, to R&R a manifold.

 

[puttzer]

If you take it off and bring it to Berthoud I will weld it for you, no charge.

 

[Frank Z]

And it will crack again in no time flat. Not saying you're not a good welder but the OEM manifolds just don't hold up well to begin with and welding up a crack that's big enough to cause CO Poisioning isn't worth messing with.

This is a no brainer...buy a new manifold.

 

[Hypoid]

X3 for a new one.

While you have it out, change the engine mounts. It's much easier without the manifolds in the way...and it probably needs them if the exhaust is broken.

 

[xjnco]

Thanks for the replies all, I will get my son Michael to buy the new header and help turn some wrenches as it is his jeep. I'll also try and get him to also buy a torque wrench for MY garage!
Frank Z, the 'ineedparts.com ' website says "Part of Automotive Parts Network, Inc, so the must have diversified or something.:looney:
ChiXJeff, thanks for the floorpan tip, I'll definately pull some carpet up or check it out from below.:wierd: We don't have much rust occurring here in Colorado with it's usual low humidity, and C-DOT uses Mag-Cloride on the roads here instead of salt. Sometime it's a pain to keep the windshield washer full. ( Lazyness comes with age).:laugh3:
Puttzer, you're close by, lets do Pole Hill Rd from Carter Lake to Estes Park for a snow run some weekend this winter, ok?:sure:
Hypoid, thanks for the tip on motor mounts, I know the pain, sheared the mm bolts off flush with the block on my '96 while in the Inland Empire, Calif a few years back.:huh:

Thanks again all. :yelclap: :wave:
Mikev