Questions about 470 exhaust elbow

[boltonranger]

I am replacing the gasket between my exhaust manifold and coolant reservoir on my 470 - 3.7 4cyl.
I've cleaned up the outside of the piece; but inside kind of baffles me. There is a fair amount of carbon around the holes where the freshwater drains through the tailpiece to the bellows; but I don't know if it is "open enough" what I can see is an elongated oval hole at the back of the tailpiece and a small round hole in the front of the tailpiece - are there others that are covered up? Also should I remove all the buildup there or is the carbon keeping corrosion at bay there?
pls help if you can with advice etc.
thanks -br

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Questions about 470 exhaust elbow

The "book" says under cleaning and inspection: "check water passages for foreign material. Passages must be clean for efficient cooling".

 

[boltonranger]

Re: Questions about 470 exhaust elbow

The "book" says under cleaning and inspection: "check water passages for foreign material. Passages must be clean for efficient cooling".

Thanks Terry.
Gonna clean it up good.
-br

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: Questions about 470 exhaust elbow

Fully clean and inspect. Chances are, if the riser is old and had a gasket problem, it may be time for replacement.

The riser or mixing elbow is the first part of your exhaust to wear out (in many cases)

The small holes where the exhaust water and exhaust gasses come together is a cast iron, wet-dry-damp-air-corrosion wonderland.

I have seen risers plug up to the point that hoses get blown off

 

[sdoomaha]

Re: Questions about 470 exhaust elbow

FYI, check and double check your gasket orientation when putting back together. Buddy installed the gasket wrong when we put the unit back together after replacing the head gasket and had to try to hunt down an overheat problem for a few days. Make sure you get the gasket oriented properly to allow the coolant to pass properly.

Good Luck.

 

[boltonranger]

You guys are the best!

You guys are the best!

Thank you all for your advice - I'm going to clean it up in and out and pressure test the passages with air. Really appreciate your help.
-br