Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

[parttimr]

Purchased the boat at end of this season and it ran fine with the crack on the port side water evaporating on the outside as soon as it came out. Checked block out and all is good along with the oil being fine. Crack was on the outer only and as reasonable as the manifolds are going to replace it before next season. Was told by dealer if not going to go with OEM to use a Mallory over a Sierra any thoughts other than the standard stick with the OEM theory. It is on a 1993 4.3l engine s/n 0F003200. Did search for Mallory and it gave me a GLM so was wondering if that's the same as well. Thanks again for any help

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

I'd go with Barr or Osco as, as far as I know they are still made here in the good ol' USA.

Sierra and GLM,,, you're looking at offshore stuff with questionable quality, probably the same for Mallory too...

 

[hnt]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

I used Osco manifolds and elbows and liked the quality and price. Use M/C OEM gaskets between manifolds and elbows.

 

[achris]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

Manifolds are one of those thing... You get what you pay for...

#1. OEM (Mercury) And if you decide to go OEM, I would replace the elbows too and go dry-joint. :thumb:
#2. Is a toss-up. Osco/Barr
#3. Sierra.
#7. Mallory
#1,452 GLM (Good Luck Marine) :facepalm:

Chris......

 

[cdiamond]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

"YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"

it seems these days, nobody grasps that concept

if you want to see what you're buying

go look at 2-3 year old barr/ osco crap

then go look at same age mercruiser

you'll see why they cost more

just like the SEI vs mercruiser outdrives

all together now -- " YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR "

 

[parttimr]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

Thanks for all the input fellas and honesty. Just curious what is meant by "dry joint" just thought you used the gasket and pressed on with life, lol. Is it necessary to replace the riser as well if nothing is wrong with it? Look like a simple task to accomplish either way.

 

[achris]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

Merc changed the set-up on their exhaust system around the early 2000s...

 

[hall832]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

I have used all the brands being discussed. My experiences are more from a South Florida Mind Set. So i have noticed The price difference drives people to GLM, OSCO, Barr and Sierra. I prefer OEM every single time. I have used GLM Manifold and riser set at a customers request
and over a 3 year period saw no real weakness in the product. The owner is real good about upkeep, flushing and maintenance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

I have used all the brands being discussed. My experiences are more from a South Florida Mind Set. So i have noticed The price difference drives people to GLM, OSCO, Barr and Sierra. I prefer OEM every single time. I have used GLM Manifold and riser set at a customers request
and over a 3 year period saw no real weakness in the product. The owner is real good about upkeep, flushing and maintenance.

Ayuh,.... I've got GLMs on my motor,...

I had to remachine the riser, 'n manifolds to get the mating surfaces flat enough to hold a gasket, 'n not leak,...

It appears they have a problem with core-shiftin' durin' the castin' process,...
Much like the problems with Merc's single piece manifolds for the V6s,...

 

[hall832]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

I have had to do that on a set of Barr Manifolds. From what i know GLM makes exact casting of original Mercruiser manifold and riser.

 

[500dollar744ti]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

When I started working in the auto industry I realized the value in using OEM parts and I'm willing to pay extra because I believe I am truly getting a better product.

When I had to replace my original manifolds and risers earlier this year I went with Mercruiser OEM stuff and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'd rather spend the extra $150 or so to get OEM and know I won't have to pull it apart later.

For me, time is money, if I save $150 buying a sub-par boat part and I spend 10 extra hours modifying and tweaking it to make it work because it wasn't really manufactured well, I haven't saved any money because I've wasted so much time.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

My Osco manifolds/risers were absolutely perfect and remain that way after a few years of use. I'd buy 'em again in a heartbeat. Haven't heard anything too bad about them, really. GLM has all sorts of stories about quality issues though, so I'd be a bit wary.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

On my Volvo I always use OEM. I will never use aftermarket. DonS said the exact same thing.

 

[parttimr]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

Well again thanks for all the input guys. My initial thoughts were to go with the Osco but am starting to lean towards OEM. Asked earlier if necessary to replace risers at the same time if they show no bad areas? Have done a lot of stuff to my bike and not OEM and good aftermarket stuff works great there but was concerned for the water effects on the boat. Everything I seem to find though shows a six bolt up wet joint for this motor so will probably pull both and go with what is there already. You guys on here are as good as the guys on the bike forum I belong to and really appreciate the experts advice on most things. At my age I am still willing to learn from all folks, lol. Oh and by the way living in ND we don't get the hours as most do as far as wear and tear if that has any bearing at all.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

I always replace the riser but since you aren't in salt water, you may be able to get by.

 

[achris]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

...Oh and by the way living in ND we don't get the hours as most do as far as wear and tear if that has any bearing at all.

Unfortunately it's not hours of use that causes the problem. It's years of sitting with water in them. Most of these types of items will need replacing at 6, 7, 8 years whether you do 10 hours a year or 500.... It's just time that gets them...

Chris........

 

[parttimr]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

Well after more research and looking over the manifolds they are not the OEM risers. Tech said same thing and that they had been changed before no casting numbers matching up with Mercury. Have found OEM manifolds shipped for between $240-$247 and wondering if that's a good price. May just change both since having it apart already.

 

[achris]

Re: Brand of exhaust manifold for replacement>

OEM from Merc. And if you're thinking of replacing both, and you already know the elbows are non-genuine, time to look at dry-joint... For the little extra they cost, you'll get that back in extra time they last...

This is the Merc price for your current 'wet-joint' manifolds...