Ok...so I'm toying with an idea right now and wanted some feed back. Rebuilding a late 22r right now after the '81/'82 motor blew in my truck. I'm looking at doing a header later so for right now I'm wondering if I can get by with using the older exhaust manifold until the funds are reached for the header. That's the jist of it.

So the manifold I have has round ports, the new head has pear-shaped. Now this is what I'm thinking...a new header has round ports regardless, so does the older manifold...I'm already blocking off the air injection tube anyways with block off plates from LC so unless the bolt pattern is different, which they look similar, wouldn't the older manifold bolt up to the head in the same sense as an after market header? Or am I completely missing something else?

 

I have to go look to be sure but with the old manifold up to mid 84

If you have the post 85 head you might have some sealing issues

With the old exhaust manifold

Using the exhaust for the year of the head would be the best bet

It has been some time since I worked with those early 22R engines

 

Gives some hot spots and turbulence. Bolt pattern is the same