The International A414 is used mainly on the power take-off to drive a hammer mill, clocking up hundreds of hours a year.  But the engine became too tired, so it was time for a full overhaul, which has become the topic for a couple of 'From the Workshop' articles to appear in Farming Ahead.

A few years back the exhaust manifold shattered. I think the exhaust pipe may have even hit a tree branch. The cast iron manifold was so old and thin that it was impossible to repair, and virtually impossible to find a replacement.

I got hold of some black steel pipe fittings, including a T piece, two elbows and a threaded reducing nipple. I welded two flanges onto the elbows, and then one of the elbows was welded to the T piece. The other elbow was attached using the reducing nipple, which allowed the whole manifold to be adjusted so that it fit perfectly on the exhaust manifold studs. The threaded nipple wasn't fully welded once adjusted, just tacked in place. Rust has sealed the joint up quite well. An extension piece was welded to the T piece so that the exhaust silencer has something to jam down onto.

The manifold has worked well during the past 10 years or so, and while its probably a little more restrictive than the old cast manifold, the old tractor doesn't seem to mind!