Need manifold recommendation please

GCHOG

Active Member
Mar 25, 2016
149
Bass River, Viking Marina, South Jersey
Boat Info
2006 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer
Engines
6.2 Bravo III
morning all. Had a problem over the weekend with the starboard exhaust manifold leaking water into the cylinders. Going to replace the manifolds and risers. Any suggestions / comments on any good replacements. Aftermarket vs. OEM. , on a '06 6.2 Merc. Thanks for any input.
 
Stay with OEM. I've experienced issues with aftermarket manifolds and risers. Not worth the savings - in my opinion and history.
 
IMHO: OEM is the only way to go. Well worth the extra money.
 
OEM ONLY, I've nothing good to say about the aftermarket manifolds or risers.

Just curious, were the leaking manifolds currently installed OEM and if so how long did they last?
 
Gary, Do NOT cheap out on this part. OEM is the only way to go.
 
Boater420, the ones I removed were Merc OEM. I don't have any service records that they were ever changed, so the are probably originals. Not bad for 11 years old, and 375 hrs. on the engine.
Thanks for everyones input. Going to look for oem replacements.
The suspected bad manifold, spacer and elbow really looks great inside and out, no obvious cracks or rusted out spots. I am going to replace anyway just to be sure. Also doing a compression check to make sure I don't have a blown head gasket.
I'll let y'all know what I find.
 
Any one have comments on how long a real mechanic will take per engine to replace them?
 
Took me 6 hours to do both engines in my boat. I had a cordless impact gun which made it so much easier to remove and install. I would say a pro should be able to do the job in 4 hours with no complications.
 
Single engine with good access? If you have all the parts and tools laid out, probably under 2 hours.
If you have an assistant it will go much faster.
If no assistant, then use two threaded rods cut a little longer than what the manifold sticks out from the head.
Remove everything from one side. Thread the rods in to the outer most holes on the head. Hang the gasket in place. Slide the new manifold on to the gasket. Insert bolts in to empty holes. Once those bolts are started, remove the threaded rods on the ends and replace them with bolts. Sew up that side and repeat on the other side.
The threaded rods work much better than trying to balance the gasket and new manifold while you are trying to get a bolt started.
 
Did my twins two season ago. Removal through installation on both motors combined around 3 hrs using the threaded rod method. I couldn't find a way to install in place because the top of the engine compartment was about 1/4 inch above the top center of the elbows so I put everything together in the garage and carried each side up complete. I held them in place while a friend aligned them on the rods then he replace rods with bolts and done. Easiest major job I've done on the boat. As suggested, while you have the manifolds off it is a good time to inspect/replace many of the components obscured by the exhaust system.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,942
Messages
1,422,698
Members
60,927
Latest member
Jaguar65
Back
Top