Exhaust manifold replacement

[beef2596]

Hello all!
This spring I will most likely be replacing my exhaust manifolds since I don’t know when they were last replaced (I just bought the boat last year). I have a 2001 mercruiser 5.0 Efi. My question(s) for all of you are: are the elbows and risers the same thing or individual parts? do you only replace the manifolds and gaskets, or do you replace the elbows and risers as well? Where do you recommend purchasing online? I want oem, not aftermarket. Thank you!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...... Step #1 is to pull the risers off the manifolds, Clean the gasket surfaces to clean iron, 'n Inspect what ya got,....

They can be bought by the piece, or as a set, yer choice,....

Regardless which way ya go, I recommend ya use the Mercruiser gaskets, dry,....
Any others is an invitation to disaster,...

 

[beef2596]

Are the elbows and risers the same thing? Sorry for the stupid question. Lol. And so I will for sure be replacing the manifolds but I should pull it apart to see if the elbows have to be replaced too?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Elbows is the correct term,.... actual risers are 3" tall iron pieces used to raise the elbows, if necessary,....

Many of Us use the slang callin' the elbows, Risers, because there's another set of cast elbows right behind the risers/ elbows,....

 

[Scott Danforth]

if your in fresh water, the manifolds elbows, etc. last longer than the motor will run (most people get 40+ years)

if your in salt water, you may need to replace every 5 years or so.

As Bondo said, pull it apart and look.

 

[beef2596]

Thank you guys for the info. One last question. What is the difference between e coated and ceramic coated?

 

[Scott Danforth]

E-coat is simply paint. Ceramic coating is a high-temp coating.

 

[beef2596]

What is recommended then?

 

[Lou C]

What is your usage? If in fresh water even the better aftermarket like Barr will last a long time, if in salt water, then the better quality ceramic quality may be the way to go but they cost much more. Most people here in the salt pond use the best aftermarket they can find. I don't think too many people would use OE on a boat that age.

 

[Scott Danforth]

What is recommended then?

you havent answered if your boating in salt water or fresh water.

you still havent looked at your current manifolds yet either to determine that you have a problem.

if you boat in salt water and your manifolds need replacing, I personally would look for a set of EMI thunder manifolds and elbows and shed about 100#

 

[beef2596]

I boat strictly in freshwater. I was able to peak at my engine when I checked on my boat in storage the other day. There is a little rust between the manifold and riser but nothing huge. Won’t be able to completely tell until I pull it apart.