72 1608 stock exhaust manifold question

[njoconnor]

Decided to cleanup Blue 72's engine compartment this spring, and of course, there's project creep....

The stock (and original far as I can tell) exhaust manifold looks to be needing some hi-temp paint. As I was reconning for a possible removal for clean up and painting, I noticed what looked like a split between the ports for pistons 2 & 3 (damp spots are pre-emptive PB Blaster overspray...):



Any issues with this? Could not find a picture of an original stock manifold on the web (some nice Abarth ones, though....no, can't creep the project THAT far), so figured I'd ask before me and the wrenches got in over our collective heads. If I remove it, there's a new gasket going on just to be sure.

Aside to AirK: the sandpaper progression works great on those cam box covers! Up to 320 today, but, yeah, the fingers get beat up....

Thanks, all...

Neil

[Jon124]

They are made with that split so the manifold should be good as long as there are no other cracks.

[njoconnor]

Thanks, Jon. Off we go.....

Neil

[nelsonj]

My 72 manifold has the same gap. I used BBQ paint on mine from Home Depot. Manifold is fine, but my down pipe cracked sometime later. I have no idea if the paint had anything to do with it or if it was age/road damage.

[njoconnor]

I believe my down pipe is fine; just installed it (new) 4 years ago, and not a lot of miles since then. A PITA with that transmission mounted hanger!

I'm thinking aluminum color HT paint from the local auto parts store. VHT Paints has a blue which is close to the car's color, but that may be a bit too much (especially with inbound blue ignition wires and radiator hoses.... ).

Thanks again!

Neil