I remember reading on here there that one way of plugging your exhaust manifolds is to thread them from the head side and put plugs into where the exhaust gases would flow out. Is this correct? If so, what size tap do you use and what is the best type of plug to use? Thanks.

Get a 1/8" pipe thread tap.
Thread the hole from the backside of the exhaust manifolds.

Use a brass 1/8" pipe plug with locktite red.
Disable the pump, by removing the fan veins through the back cover.

Don't forget to plug the vacuum line to your carb.

Do you want it to appear functional?
Just remove the little tubes under the air mainfold, re-install it, and gut the pump. You will have to plug inside the air hose from pump to manifold.

I think the easy way is to plug the smog tubes (the ones that extend into the manifolds..about 3" long.) You could easily tap the manifold side of the tube and thread a plug into them. If you are not into doing them yourself, or if you don't want to deface your originals, call Bill Hodel. I don't know for sure, but I'll bet he does it all the time, or else he has had solid ones made that have the proper flare to seal at the top.

You CAN do it from the front, but you may get metal shavings in your cylinders.
I wouldn't want to do that to my car.
Real good idea to take them off. :thumbsup:

http://i3.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/97/29/73d7_1.JPG

I don't have to worry about defacing originals, the ones I have are new repo manifolds. They are not on the motor, so if it works better to tap them from the front side I can do that.
I do want everything to appear original, It just sounds like plugging the exhaust manifolds is the best way to go.

All that work is way too complicated :). All you need to do is to unscrew the air manifold tube nuts, remove the SS extension tubes, drop a #10 x 1/2" flat head machine screw into each hole, and screw the air manifold tubes back on. That will keep hot exhaust gases from discoloring the air manifolds. Then gut the pump, put a BB in the vacuum hose to the diverter valve, and you're in business. Looks 100% original/functional, nobody can tell the difference. :thumbsup:

Hmmm, maybe you are right JohnZ...if what you do works, why go through the trouble of threading them? I think I will look up some stainless steel 10 x 1/2" flat head machine screws. Thanks.

Or just drop a nail in each tube, the type with the wide head. That way you still have something for the tube nuts to tighten against. You can then pull the pump apart and remove the vanes in the pump. Or just break them off and fish them out.

Those are both easy ways to do it.
However the reason i recommend using the brass plugs, is because
10 - 20 -30 years from now when you want to take the plugs out.
What ever was placed in those tubes will have become fused to the exhaust manifolds.
The brass will always be a softer metal, and will drill out very easily.
Just my opinion, but that is how i always do it.

I suppose I could just turn some brass plugs on the lathe and drop them in from the top and get the best of both worlds:)

I followed JohnZs method and it worked out very well. No problems at all.

Or just drop a nail in each tube, the type with the wide head. That way you still have something for the tube nuts to tighten against.

The flat head of the machine screw ends up at exactly the same level in the threaded hole as the flare on the end of the SS extension tube did; the tube nuts on the air manifolds tighten to exactly the same position they were in originally. Put a little anti-seize on the tube nut threads and you'll always be able to remove them later with no drama. :thumbsup: