Value of rebuilt 308 exhaust manifolds?

My 1978 GTB had an ignition failure resulting in a massive backfire that blew a hole through the front (left) exhaust manifold. My mechanic had a spare in the shop but it wouldn't work because the factory welds had cracks and leaked. He bought a replacement (for $750+) but it also leaked badly. I took all three and had them expertly re-welded and pressure tested (by Babco in Fresno, CA) using argon gas in water. The original is back on the car but I would like to sell the other two. They need to be wrapped in muffler packing and have their heat shields put back on. I guarantee them to be free of leaks, in fact better than new.

So what price should I put on them? Thanks, Chaz

 

Hey! This ain't a classified ad. It's a question. I was jes a figgerin 1) that if a cracked, front exhaust manifold cost 780 sum-odd bucks n 2) they's hard to find in good condition*, then one o ya'll experts here might knows the value of em when professionally rebuilt. Or maybe ya'll moe focused on purty girls than tech-related questions?

*BTW, the shop that made the originals for Ferrari was bush league. They used very thin material and the welding weakened the tubing. No wonder they leak after 40 years.
Chaz

 

Yes, your comments fit the thread! Now, is that coating really sufficient in cooling the surface? I hope it works for you. Regarding my extra parts, I have the heat shields but haven't put them on so that the repairs are visible. I can afford to store these.

It appears that some of you think that originality means everything yet many here write about all the add-ons and changes made to their babies. It seems inconsistent to me. Be that as it may, and with great trepidation, I will tell you that Ferrari quality control during the mid to late 1970s was poor, and headers were no exception; thin tubing with light welds prone to corroding over time. I suggest that rewelding this thin, rusty tubing is tricky and requires an expert, not your buddy at the muffler shop. In order to repair this fragile tubing, stainless sleeves were used to cover the original tubing and then welded to the manifold plate

 

To complete my comment:

WHY??? No offense intended folks but it appears that some of you think originality means everything yet many here write about all the add-ons and changes made to their babies. This seems inconsistent to me. Be that as it may, and with great trepidation, I will tell you that Ferrari quality control during the mid to late 1970s was relatively poor, and headers were no exception; having thin tubing prone to corroding over time. I suggest that rewelding this thin, rusty tubing is tricky and requires an expert, not your buddy at the muffler shop. Because of the fragility of the "original" tubing in 2 of 3 units View attachment 2908355 View attachment 2908350 View attachment 2908355 , stainless sleeves were used to cover the "original" material, welded to the manifold plate at one end and the thicker, undamaged "original" tubing 1.5-2 inches away. After the application of high temp paint and muffler packing (the "original" was asbestos), the "original" heat shields halves put on. The repair is better than the "original" and I challenge anyone to see the difference now that it's completed and back on the car. Regarding my spare headers, I have the heat shields but haven't put them on so that the repairs are visible. I approved and observed every step of this project and, because this isn't a classified, I won't list my cost. I can afford to store these. Someday...

Yes Dino, your comments fit the thread! Now, is that coating really sufficient in cooling the surface? I hope it works for you and I hope your fuel hoses are sound. BTW, the heat shields tended to rattle. The Italiano "fix" was to beat on them with a hammer until they made contact with the packing. I learned that from Bruno Borri who silenced my rattles 37 years ago.

Attached are a couple of photos I took during the project. Half a stainless steel sleeve is visible in one pic. View attachment 2908350

 

My stainless steel sleeves are just like the Tubis. Gordon, the guy who welded your originals didn't know welding. The tubes are burnt thin where they attach to the plate and welding at that point only makes them weaker. Derek has a good point. How much are Tubis ?

 

"I've had issues with blown headers. It was an ignition problem though....."

Precisely, and that can be an expensive repair involving headers, cats and fouled muffler.

$2,000 per side for Tubis, huh? Thank you because that answers my original question. My repaired (front) headers are guaranteed not to leak. They might blow up farther down like my original did but that's another problem.

This turned out to be a pretty good thread so now let's get back to girls and staying healthy!