Manifold/Chassis clearance

[Skyedriver]

Went to have a quick look to see if I could find the source of the light ticking under load - sounds like manifold gasket but wondered if it was a loose plug.
Not found the problem yet but what I did note was that the manifolds appear to be actually sitting on the chassis rails...
What is the usual clearance, I'm going to get it up on ramps at the weekend, wonder if the engine mounts have gone west. How easy are these to change?
Ta

[Sardonicus]

Almost certainly eng mount failure you should have about 1/2" clearance on both banks with healthy mountings in the area you speak of

[Skyedriver]

Did a search and there are lots of stories and preferences and criticisms of the different manufacturers
What is the latest on replacement mounts please

[NZ fan]

When I got my car the l/h side manifold was touching the chassis. On inspection it had one of the three engine mount to block bolts missing and the other two loose. Don't know how common this is?

[ChimpOnGas]

NZ fan said:

When I got my car the l/h side manifold was touching the chassis. On inspection it had one of the three engine mount to block bolts missing and the other two loose. Don't know how common this is?

I think its quite common, loose engine mount bolts was just one of the many little things I found and rectified on my car during the first six months of ownership.

This on a full TVR main dealer & TVR specialist serviced low mileage car, it just goes to show...

"if you want a job doing properly, do it yourself"

Suffice to say engine mount bolt integrity got added to my service sheet, along with exhaust manifold bolt tightening and a hundred other little things most so called TVR specialists will skip.

All cars have their unique foibles, a 19 year old TVR has more than most, after a few years of learning my way around the car my said service sheet includes an extensive list of such checks.

And you never stop learning with these cars

But to me that's both the pleasure and pain of TVR ownership, personally I wouldn't have it any other way

If I wanted Tuetonic reliability I would have bought a Porsche, but where's the fun in that

Anyway, as we all know.....

[Sardonicus]

NZ fan said:

When I got my car the l/h side manifold was touching the chassis. On inspection it had one of the three engine mount to block bolts missing and the other two loose. Don't know how common this is?

Not seen this yet but good point

[Richard 858]

ChimpOnGas said:

"if you want a job doing properly, do it yourself"

And you never stop learning with these cars

But to me that's both the pleasure and pain of TVR ownership, personally I wouldn't have it any other way

If I wanted Tuetonic reliability I would have bought a Porsche, but where's the fun in that

Anyway, as we all know.....

Couldn't agree more Dave, hope to see you on the 31st (if a few more pull out).

[Skyedriver]

New mounts on their way from Racetech
That's this weekend taken care of

[Skyedriver]

Well had a go at this today, another PITA job...
I'm getting too old for this fixing cars on the drive mullarky.
The engine mounts look OK TBH. But the brackets to the engine were loose!
OTOT I tried to replace the mounts anyway but couldn't get the passenger side one actually past the chassis tube due to the length of the studs so it went back.
And I couldn't get the exhaust off (see other thread) so couldn't get to tighten the manifold nuts either.
Waste of a nice sunny day (effectively 5 hours to tighten up the brackets).
Kinda miss the ease of repairing the Caterham sometimes

[QBee]

I plan to hire the ramp at my local garage to change my exhaust.

[ads]

This is why I travel 500 miles round trip to a good Specillist TVRSSW. They are aware of these little things and tighten them every service.

[QBee]

I agree with that approach, a good TVR specialist is time and effort well spent. Even though I moved away from West Norfolk, I still make the 160 mile round trip to Mat Smith Sportscars in Downham Market to have my car properly looked after. Some of my friends make the trip from the West Midands and Surrey for the same reason.

[Skyedriver]

Got the car up on the local garage lift yesterday, there's about 7mm clearance one the brackets that hold the engine to the mounts were properly tightened

[caduceus]

Skyedriver said:

New mounts on their way from Racetech

Good choice. I don't go anywhere else...