Exhaust heat riser- need it?

[drmiller1]

Hey guys,
Here the situation, I have a 69 350 with the stock exhaust manifolds. This truck has ran pretty good as is, however there is a leak at the heat riser that
I would like to get rid of. Looking at it, I noticed the riser was rusted/frozen
in place, Do I need this? Thanks for your help.

[Stocker]

Unless your cold Michigan winters dictate otherwise, toss it. I had one go bad, ran without it for several years, finally installed a new one, no difference at all. After I noticed one muffler rotting out while the other was still good, I removed the heat riser for good. FWIW, my truck is started every day and winter temps typically dip into the teens here -- no difference with or without the heat riser. And they are not cheap either....

[passthebuck]

Stocker is right, heat risers are spendy. They are necessary up here only if you're a winter driver. They only help heat up the manifold. They are a driveablity piece more than anything. I'd gut the flapper valve out of it, braze the pivot holes closed & never think of it again.

[Green Machine]

Don't need it even in colder temps. As long as the passage under the carb is not plugged, the exhaust will still heat the intake pretty quick.

[drmiller1]

Thanks Guys,
Ive been driving it all winter on nice days with no problems starting. So i'll
fill the holes and put it back. Now to find a manifold for the right side...