Ram horn headers hidden lever?
 

I was about to clean my block in prep for painting, and as I was about to unbolt the passenger manifold (stock ram horns) I noticed a lever of sorts that appears to be attached to the manifold. I'm not sure what this does, it is the first time in my life I have ever seen a manifold with this little guy on here, and I've been around sbc's all my life.

Anyway, it was there and appeared to be held at a certain point in via tie wire around the lever and exhaust pipe. Can anyone tell me what this does exactly? And why it was being held in a certain position?

I doubt it would be some kind of exhaust cutoff or anything like that. It is only on the passenger manifold, not the driver side

Re: Ram horn headers hidden lever?
 

It is a heat riser valve to help your engine warm up faster. It works on a counter weight so that it is wide open under full throttle.

Re: Ram horn headers hidden lever?
 

Hello, I don't get a chance to help that often so I thought I would put my 2cents in. As jim said its a heat riser, there is a coil on it that heats up from the heat of the exhaust and opens a butterfly inside the pipe flow. The counter weight keeps it in the restricted position the Tie wire might mean its broken and not working. I think its to help the crossover heat in the intake when its cold. Lots of them are removed when not needed. hope this helps.

Re: Ram horn headers hidden lever?
 

Or it might be working, but rattling. Yep, pushing hot exhaust through the intake helps the engine run better when cold. That's why the drivers side doesn't have one.

Re: Ram horn headers hidden lever?
 

Thanks for the help guys. Much appreciated