Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

[Brooks G.]

It is my understanding that reproduction three bolt exhaust manifolds are available for 1956 Corvettes. While shopping for used engine parts I had a vendor tell me that folks have had trouble with the reproductions. These are part numbers 371557 and 371558. The vendor did not have any used ones but warned me of trouble with the repros. Does anyone on the forum know about this or had experience with these parts. I really appreciate the input from this group. I thank you in advance.

[Edward M.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

Brooks, I have an original 558 that came with my car. Original 557s and 558 are fragile. I believe the repos are made to be stronger.

[Joe L.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

It is my understanding that reproduction three bolt exhaust manifolds are available for 1956 Corvettes. While shopping for used engine parts I had a vendor tell me that folks have had trouble with the reproductions. These are part numbers 371557 and 371558. The vendor did not have any used ones but warned me of trouble with the repros. Does anyone on the forum know about this or had experience with these parts. I really appreciate the input from this group. I thank you in advance.

Brooks-----

The late 1956 casting numbers are 3731557 and 3731558. Original examples of these manifolds are almost impossible to find. That's because they were used only for 1956 and only for part of the model year, although they were used for both Corvettes and passenger cars. The BIG problem, though, is that these manifolds have a section of the casting in the "throat" area which is thin. So, most of the originals cracked long ago. I'm very confident that's why Chevrolet went to a new casting for 1957.

The reproductions of these manifolds are done by Paul Baker of Goat Hill Classics. Paul improved the throat area with a thicker casting wall affecting only internal configuration. While it might be a little more flow-restrictive, it's much more durable. Personally, I have not heard of problems with these reproductions. Even if there were such problems, I think it's about "the only game in town" if one insists on original configuration and casting numbers.

[Brooks G.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

Thanks guys! I have been out of pocket and this is my first chance to respond. From what you say it sounds like the repros are the only game in town if you want to be correct. I still don't know what kind of installation problem the vendor I spoke to was talking about. It may have been just with the first few parts and the problem was corrected afterward. Perhaps I will find out.

[Gary C.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

Brooks, do a search on Paul Baker and Goat Hill to update yourself on other Member's issues. Gary....

[Brooks G.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

Gary--How do I do that? I am fairly new to this list and could not find a way to do what you are talking about.

[Gary C.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

Brooks, go to the main blue menu bar and pull down the "search" menu. Then enter your search criteria. Search and photo how to's are covered in the FAQ's. Gary....

[Brooks G.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

Thanks Gary--I did what you said and read what other members had to say about Paul Baker and Goat Hill Classics. I did not read anything about '56 exhaust manifolds in their posts so I will probably end up buying them as that is the only game in town for correct ones.

[Jerry G.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

Brooks: I purchased the repro's a few years ago. The fit and finish was very nice, and I did not have any problems with them at all. The car is a body off restoration and I just sold the car a few days ago, so they didn't have a lot miles on them. The originals were prone to break where the choke tube is located. A few years ago, I found a matching set on a late 57 Chevy in a junk yard, so check with old Chevy junk yard dealers too.

[Joe L.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

Thanks Gary--I did what you said and read what other members had to say about Paul Baker and Goat Hill Classics. I did not read anything about '56 exhaust manifolds in their posts so I will probably end up buying them as that is the only game in town for correct ones.

Brooks-----


I believe you can obtain these manifolds from sources like Dr. Rebuild, Paragon, or Corvette Central who wholesale them from Goat Hill. That way, they do the "interfacing" with Goat Hill and not you. They have more "leverage" than you have so take advantage of this.

[Joe L.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

Brooks: I purchased the repro's a few years ago. The fit and finish was very nice, and I did not have any problems with them at all. The car is a body off restoration and I just sold the car a few days ago, so they didn't have a lot miles on them. The originals were prone to break where the choke tube is located. A few years ago, I found a matching set on a late 57 Chevy in a junk yard, so check with old Chevy junk yard dealers too.

Jerry-----


If the late 56 manifolds were found on a late 1957 Chevrolet then they must have been installed sometime after the car left the factory. While the late 1956 manifolds were also used on late 1956 passenger cars, I don't think they were ever used on 1957 models.

I recall many years ago when a friend of mine and I scoured Bloomington for a set of these manifolds for his cousin's 56 Corvette. In 3 days looking we never even found one of these for sale. Finally, I told him that if his cousin really wanted a set, we should check with the "court of last resort"---J.T. Piper. We asked 'ol JT, himself. He told us he didn't have a set and didn't know where we could find any AT ANY PRICE. When 'ol JT doesn't have something and doesn't know where to get it, that tells you it's HARD to find. 'ol JT's "inventory preservation program" usually means you can get just about anything from him if you're willing to pay-the-price, but even he didn't have these manifolds.

At that time the reproductions were not available. However, we did stop and talk with Paul Baker and he told us about his project to reproduce them.

[Brooks G.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

Joe, Jerry and Gary, I thank all of you for your input. I will probably purchase these from a large parts supplier rather that the source because of reasons you fellows have pointed out. Over the years I have been stung by shady dealers. I try to make it a point to stay away from if I can.

[John H.]

Re: Repro Exhaust Manifolds for '56 Vette

Brooks-----


I believe you can obtain these manifolds from sources like Dr. Rebuild, Paragon, or Corvette Central who wholesale them from Goat Hill. That way, they do the "interfacing" with Goat Hill and not you. They have more "leverage" than you have so take advantage of this.

Paragon has them - their #737 (LH) and #738 (RH).