[unruhjonny]

aren’t they all the same?

I wasn’t aware the RARE offered the 67-69 casting as well as the 1970 casting types.

I thought they only offered one casting type, with two headpipe/opening sizes(?)

The 68-69 “GTO” ones fit - I would know from having run a ‘68 driver side one for a while…

[carbking]

We bought two sets, one of cast iron, the other aluminum.

Both sets are marked 9777642 and 9777646.

The cast iron set fits on the 1969 number 48 heads on my 350; but the manifolds will not fit in a 1974 GTO without changing the power steering box to a manual box.

Jon

[burd]

The clocking of the flanges are diff.

[MarkS57]

I ordered and received a set of RM-1-OS w/ gray ceramic coating in early 2019. Very nice fit & finish, likewise, only had to jack up the engine a bit to get them in place. Only had to poke them once.

[goatboy1970]

Originally Posted by scott70

Not that it makes a big difference but it looks like the RARE has 3 hole flanges on both sides where the Ames one has the 2 and the 3 hole flanges.

When I called Gardner about my exhaust, he also said that if I have RARE manifolds, they are both 3-bolt flanges. I got mine from The Parts Place in December, and got the correct 2 bolt/3bolt ones.

[drewm]

Originally Posted by goatboy1970

When I called Gardner about my exhaust, he also said that if I have RARE manifolds, they are both 3-bolt flanges. I got mine from The Parts Place in December, and got the correct 2 bolt/3bolt ones.

According to the Ames catalog, the 67 flanges are both 3 bolt, while the 68-72 have one 3 bolt and one 2 bolt.

[goatboy1970]

Originally Posted by drewm

According to the Ames catalog, the 67 flanges are both 3 bolt, while the 68-72 have one 3 bolt and one 2 bolt.

This was for a 70 GTO. Gardner said that for the 68-72 manifolds from RARE, they have 2x 3-bolt manifolds instead of the 3-bolt/2-bolt ones. If I told him I had RARE manifolds, he was sending me 2x 3-bolt flanges.

[unruhjonny]

I just looked up the pictures of the set I had for a brief time, this is correct;
RARE both have three bolt flanges.

[unruhjonny]

also in regaurds to burd's comment, it looks like they were always one casting type;
I would think that if they were to make one-size-fits-all, that it might be the 1970 type, but that isn't the case.

supply issues aside, they would be my go-to if I was in the market.

You can see in this image, that the rh manifold uses the 67-68 casting number.

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by goatboy1970

When I called Gardner about my exhaust, he also said that if I have RARE manifolds, they are both 3-bolt flanges. I got mine from The Parts Place in December, and got the correct 2 bolt/3bolt ones.

Below is some history of the reproduction RA/HO manifolds. Have bought near a dozen pairs of reproductions since '91, only had casting problems with a few pair.

-RARE introduced their Dport RA manifolds, believe mid to late 80's. These were patterned after the '67 GTO HO/RA manifolds. These were marketed to fit many different chassis. An old friend had fit issues with the stock Z-bar on a 70 T/A, that was near 25 years ago. One thing we confirmed is the exhaust outlet is further back on RARE's manifold than on the '70 only RA3 manifold.

-Eventually, Paul Delfield (RARE) came out with repro round port manifolds patterned after the '73-74 SD manifolds. Before that ('89 or 90) he had bought through an intermediary several cracked & welded up '70-72 Roundport manifolds from me & a good friend. In cutting them up, I was told, he decided to go w the '73-74 SD design as they have more flange bolts to the head. His business, his decision.

-Other player in the market in late 80's through the 90's & up to some time was Classic(s) of Ohio. Ames, PY, Y1, for that matter, every reproduction parts house that offered reproduction Pontiac HO/RA manifolds sold these. Early to late 90's I bought half a dozen pair between the different styles for projects. Dports were '68-69 A-body style without the '68 flapper. Dport long branches for late 60's F-body's were also avail. Some of this brands early long branch Dports had an issue on one of the "ball" type outlets where the head pipe cinches up tight. By the mid 90's Classics was also mfg roundport manifold sets patterned off the '69 RA4 GTO manifolds. These were a really beautiful casting.

Through these years, all the above had the standard size exhaust outlets.

-RARE comes out with their longbranch early F-body/B-body Dport manifolds.
Even a version for early SD Catalinas in cast iron & I believe aluminum. Sometime very late 90's early 00's, RARE offers roundport long branches, & at least one production run of Super Long branches with really large outlets (enlighten me if you were one of the few to buy a pair).

-With the popularity of roundport E-head engine builds going into '64-67 Pontiac A-body's, not everyone wanted to run headers. As a result, RARE introduces a version of the '67 A-body RA manifold that is configured as a roundport manifold. Really smart idea. I believe these were all oversize (2.45" outlet) manifolds. Real sweet manifolds for sure, have had my hands on two sets.

-Next, sometime in the 00's, Chris Casperson starts PYPES. Smart business idea. Eventually PYPES markets their own version of oversize outlet A-body D-port manifolds. Not sure if any other styles/ versions. Love to hear if PYPES procured the old Classics line of casting cores & revamped the ports, or if they began with new casting cores. Have examined 3 pairs of Max Manfolds Dports & each set were impressive looking & fit wise.

Where does this leave us today? Obvious supply chain issues leave very little product available. Am glad to see that some versions are slowly becoming available. Even Thorntons (Olds supplier) are out of their reproduction of the W-Z Olds 455 exhaust manifolds. Surveying what's out there, all entity's seem to have an issue with foundries getting manifolds poured & delivered. If semi finished castings are coming from the far East, the last weeks news looks like another bottleneck is/will exist with the current dockworker union labor strike.

Last, for all the commenters, without it being noted, what exact style of manifolds you have been anticipating reintroduction of to fill tour order, or actually waiting ordering for years, 5 years, a decade plus, it doesn't add anything fluid to the conversation. Just comes off as noise.

[Cardo]

I was planning on using a set of the RARE manifolds on my current build, but in light of the current situation i am strongly considering just sticking with the log manifolds. I won't be running any more than 400-425 hp, and after reading B-man's log manifold primer, I may just stick with them instead of the hassle of getting a pair. I've had 2 engines with the RARE manifolds and couldn't have been any happier with them, but if you can't get them you can't get them. Paul's exhaust pipes are also top notch. Had 2 sets, and if I were using the manifolds, I'd use his pipes again too. I just wish if he can't get the stuff, just tell us that and give us a realistic idea of when - even if the answer is "I don't know".

[grivera]

RARE lists the RA manifolds in stock

https://www.ramairrestoration.com/po...o-v8-2148.html

[Poncho60]

RAR used to list the long branch manifolds for B body all the way down to 1960. Now I see the listing only goes down to 1961. Wonder what the deal there is?

[grivera]

Originally Posted by grivera

RARE lists the RA manifolds in stock

https://www.ramairrestoration.com/po...o-v8-2148.html

I just spoke with Paul at RARE and ordered a set of the RA Manifolds for my 69 Lemans. If anyone needs a set I suggest you place your order now as his stock is getting thin...

https://www.ramairrestoration.com/po...port-head.html

[pontiacmark]

Ordered my oversize D ports from RARE shown as in stock in Mid May. Website states allow 2 weeks for delivery. Received in early July. From my understanding, Paul is on his 3rd casting supplier and is at their mercy to receive to get machined. Question-what bolt kit to use? Not the same a 70 RA.

[OCMDGTO]

Mark, I've used Ames' RA bolt set and off the shelf Grade 8 bolts from the hardware store with success. Obviously, they are all not one size.

[pontiacmark]

What year bolt set from Ames? I got the 70 GTO kit not thinking it might be different and of course it doesn't work.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Fine point in OPH's Post 50: i bought a Long Branch set that had trouble with sealing to the headpipe, sold em with a comment abou t the leak. Buyer was exstatic to get em. I also noticed they could not fit the 68 GTO with my usual mods that worked with factory Long Branch. So enthusiasm lost on Long Branch GTO looks.

Anyways, the PS Header mod from 4 Primaries to 2-Primaries was a success, so if you cannot get the PS i'd say give that a try.

FWIW: seems nice used LH HO manifolds are avail 10:1 over RH side. Made me go hmmm for a few years.

[pontiacmark]

Originally Posted by OCMDGTO

Mark, I've used Ames' RA bolt set and off the shelf Grade 8 bolts from the hardware store with success. Obviously, they are all not one size.

Originally Posted by pontiacmark

What year bolt set from Ames? I got the 70 GTO kit not thinking it might be different and of course it doesn't work.

Paul just got back to me and they offer the hardware set.

[grivera]

Received my RA manifolds today