Are these air injection manifold broken?

[mw67rs]

I am replacing the engine in a 77 K10 with a new crate engine. I am planning to use the stock air injection manifolds. When I removed the manifolds I noticed that 3 of the 4 injection tube inside the manifold rattle around and 1 on each side is secure and will not move. They do not fall out but just move a little bit. I know nothing about air injection manifolds. Do these tubes are will move a little indicate that they are broken and I need to replace the manifolds? I just don't want to have trouble smogging this think in CA. Thanks for any help.

[Matt Man]

Mine don't move at all.

I have a question for you. On your passenger side air injection do you have 4 air lines for the manifold or 2? I had to replace the air injection on that side, but I only saw air injection tubes with only 2 air lines. The air tube that came off was exactly the same. So I figured it was the right one...

[mw67rs]

Thanks Matt. Mine have 4 tubes on both sides.

[Titomars]

There are short tubes that fit inside the manifold ports the the AIR pipe bolts to the ports effectively hold those tubes in. They are called AIR extension tubes. If you have the manifolds off you can tap the out from where they stick into the ports. Without the actual AIR manifold bolted to the exhaust manifold the extensions can be loose. They are only a slip fit by themselves.

[mw67rs]

Thanks, those are the tubes that are loose. The Air manifold is still attached to the exhaust manifold and they are loose. Maybe the Air manifold just needs to be tightened down. Does that sound right?

[Titomars]

Originally Posted by mw67rs

Thanks, those are the tubes that are loose. The Air manifold is still attached to the exhaust manifold and they are loose. Maybe the Air manifold just needs to be tightened down. Does that sound right?

when everything was new the injection pipe nuts and flared ends would hold the extension in tightly. Remember these are damn near 40 year old parts now and probably taken off and put back on a few times.
For smog purposes loose is cool as long as they don't leak past the tube nuts. I would not worry about the extensions being loose. If you try to tighten the nuts more you run the risk of stripping the nuts or breaking the tube etc. No calif smog inspector will be checking to see if the extensions are even in there let alone if they are held in tight. Retired California smog license holder from 1975 to 87 and Nevada license from 87 to 97. back to Calif from 97 to 02.

[mw67rs]

Thanks. That is just the info I was looking for. I won't mess with them.

[Titomars]

Originally Posted by mw67rs

Thanks. That is just the info I was looking for. I won't mess with them.

you're very welcome