Parting Thoughts

Replacement Exhaust Manifolds for Ford 302 and 351 Blocks

By Fred Sidelinger, Marine Engineer

There are a number of different stories on why the exhaust manifolds used on marine engines using Ford Blocks (Volvo Penta Part Number 3852347 or OMC part number 914898) seem to be on permanent back order.  One story is the foundry that makes these manifolds is having quality control issues.  Another one is that the foundry went out of business and a new foundry is going to begin to produce these shortly.  Yet another tale (and my favorite) is that the original foundry went out of business and the new foundry burnt down and lost all the molds.  What ever the truth is, these Ford manifolds are now just about impossible to get.

Marine Parts Express has come up with a solution for this problem and now offers a complete kit.  We have sold a number of these kits and have found they work well.  Because we are using OSCO aftermarket manifolds that were originally meant to replace Barr and Indmar manifolds for these Ford 302 and 351 blocks, it does mean that both the manifolds, risers, gaskets and hardware have to be replaced.  It is not possible to use your old existing risers with these new manifolds.  These new risers come down at a slightly steeper angle than the original, the outlet is approximately ½” lower, so the rubber exhaust hoses, included in the kit, may have to be cut a bit to fit.

On our site there is a web page showing the pictures and part numbers of this kit. The price is around $670.

Categories: The Express

Tags: exhaust manifolds, Fred Sidelinger, Marine Parts Express, part number

Remote Vessel Monitoring System Feathery Firecrackers