250 help

[Wookiee]

I'm working on my buddys '68 c-10 with a 250 and took the manifolds off to fix a leak. I found out the spring loaded diverter in the exhaust not only has a busted spring, but also the flap had been broken loose from the shaft. How important is this for pre-heating the intake? Can I just remove it and plug the hole? Roll it down the hill with a flaming rag in the filler neck? Or does he need to come off the coin to replace it? I appreciate any input.



P.S. Just kidding about the flaming rag. For now.

[PanelDeland]

That is a heat riser(nomenclature may vary).It helps with cold starts and driveability.While not absolutely necessary it does help a lot.In a colder climate than Tn it would probably be mandatory,in a warm climate it would be easier to get by without it.I replaced mine with one from the Pull A Part that actually worked but I had some bad studs and such in the mani I needed to adress so I just went to get a mani to repair so I had less downtime.I would fix it or replace the mani with one that worked.

[Wookiee]

Thanks. That's what I was figuring. Guy is claiming poverty now, so I'll have to get him going without. At least we're going into sumer so we have a chance to find a good one in the yards around here. We've got a couple good pull-a-parts around here. This whole inline thing is an adventure for me. I like it.

[68gmsee]

Yep, you can do without it. Most of the old vehicles have those rusted open. On rare occasion they will rust in the closed position and may impede exhaust gasses, but otherwise, just use the choke a little more and let the engine warm up some.