99 cracked aftermarket manifold, weld or buy an new better one
10-12-2017, 08:42 PM
#1
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: CO
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
Received 20 Likes
on
18 Posts
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
99 cracked aftermarket manifold, weld or buy an new better one
hey all i know the manifold threads have been about beaten to death, but i have two questions that i do not come across on these.
as the title says mine has a crack in it, a big friggen crack, and this is an aftermarket manifold that has the accordion looking dealies.
so
197000:
1.
is it better to weld this one closed or is this a poor choice to fix something correctly? a new header isnt cheap, but i also dont want to go through the hell of getting it on and off just to have this happen again.
2.
if i buy a new (good reliable) header do they all match up to the stock down pipe location/position?
while im thinking of it does anyone recommend adding exhaust wrap after one of the other two options?
thank you for the wisdom
as the title says mine has a crack in it, a big friggen crack, and this is an aftermarket manifold that has the accordion looking dealies.
so
197000:
1.
is it better to weld this one closed or is this a poor choice to fix something correctly? a new header isnt cheap, but i also dont want to go through the hell of getting it on and off just to have this happen again.
2.
if i buy a new (good reliable) header do they all match up to the stock down pipe location/position?
while im thinking of it does anyone recommend adding exhaust wrap after one of the other two options?
thank you for the wisdom
Last edited by 4x4jeepmanthing; 10-12-2017 at 08:46 PM.
10-12-2017, 09:02 PM
#2
CF Veteran
1. If you weld it, it will break again. Nature of the beast on pre 2000 header. Just too long to take all the expansion and contraction.
2. If you get one for the proper year, yes it will match.
2. If you get one for the proper year, yes it will match.
10-13-2017, 12:32 AM
#3
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes
on
12 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
If it were me, I'd just buy another one. Welding it seems like a bandaid that won't stay on long.
But I would also check the motor mounts, or better yet just go ahead and replace them. One of the most common causes of cracked headers is the motor mounts allowing the motor to move around too much, putting stress on the exhaust and cracking the header. It would be silly to put a new header on it only to have to replace it again several months later because you didn't address the root cause of the problem.
But I would also check the motor mounts, or better yet just go ahead and replace them. One of the most common causes of cracked headers is the motor mounts allowing the motor to move around too much, putting stress on the exhaust and cracking the header. It would be silly to put a new header on it only to have to replace it again several months later because you didn't address the root cause of the problem.
10-13-2017, 09:21 AM
#5
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Groveland, CA
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Year: 1996 Two Door Wagoneer
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Had my ATP off twice to re-weld in the year since installation. Probably too tight an exhaust system. New motor mounts. So that is unlikely the problem. Also, this header was poorly welded at the factory. One of the beads just "blew off".
If I were to do it again I would weld a couple of braces across the tubes to unstress the collector welds.
If I were to do it again I would weld a couple of braces across the tubes to unstress the collector welds.
10-13-2017, 05:04 PM
#7
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: CO
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
Received 20 Likes
on
18 Posts
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If it were me, I'd just buy another one. Welding it seems like a bandaid that won't stay on long.
But I would also check the motor mounts, or better yet just go ahead and replace them. One of the most common causes of cracked headers is the motor mounts allowing the motor to move around too much, putting stress on the exhaust and cracking the header. It would be silly to put a new header on it only to have to replace it again several months later because you didn't address the root cause of the problem.
But I would also check the motor mounts, or better yet just go ahead and replace them. One of the most common causes of cracked headers is the motor mounts allowing the motor to move around too much, putting stress on the exhaust and cracking the header. It would be silly to put a new header on it only to have to replace it again several months later because you didn't address the root cause of the problem.
mounts are brown dogs, rubber
Trending Topics
10-13-2017, 09:59 PM
#9
Seasoned Member
Brown Dog!!! I got the polyurethane ones and LOVED them! They are my next upgrade for my Jeep... ok back on topic... If you have someone to weld for free or cheap, might be ok. It's not an ideal repair, hands down best option is get a new one with the accordian stress points. Might get lucky, check some junk yards... Found one for my last Jeep in a junk yard