Repairing juction of exhaust manifold /cat (4 pipes)

[cornish pasty]

Hi guys, just redaing that people having problems with exhaust junction leaking(four pipes) had same problem and it sounds bit like tappets.Looked on Chimera pages and they had idea of placing 2 bungs up tail pipes,one with tube in it connected to compressor. I thought this was a good idea until I tried to source 60mm bungs on internet,they cost approx £18.00 each,so came up with my own idea. Get and spray bottle with water in it add few drops of Fairy liquid,spray quite a lot around junction of pipes when engine cold. Now with the help of someone start engine,get assistint to gently restrict exhaust at tail pipes. If like mine both sides of exhaust leaking.Get small tub of fire cement from plumbers merchants (approx 500 grams),some fiberglass matting.Cut matting into approx 15mm long strands,take half handfull of fire cement and approx half handfull of fiber glass strands and mix together (damp hands before to make more pliable if needed, make plastacine like consistancey). Get special tool (see pic) paint roller, without roller.Mark roller and exhaust,to position of junction of the four pipes (so that you not ramming mix into cat).Now soak junction of pipes with water (fire cement sticks better to wet surface). You the roll a chipolatta sized portion of fire cement mix.You might want to ask your assistant to look away at this stage. Slide your chipolatta into wet juction, now with special tool gently push into position, then take more fire cement mixture and fill in joint over the top of this (see pic)Wet area and smooth over. Job done, start engine for approx 1 min every now and then to help fire cement to set. Dont run engine to long as you dont want it getting to hot to quick ,It will go rock hard overnight. Cheers Mateys C/P

[cornish pasty]

[cornish pasty]

[cornish pasty]

Chimjunkie said:

Nice idea. The problem i would anticipate with anything like that is the stuff not expanding and contracting with the metal and therefore breaking up after a short time. Would prob stink for a bit too! I tried GunGum, worked for a while.

Hi Chimjunkie, Been plumbing and heating engineer for over 36 years used fire cement for sealing boiler flues and wood burners all these years, I would say it would withstand even higher temp than exhaust on Chimera. and no you cant smell a thing.(just using fiberglass strand not resin)It sets harder than concrete, and if you have ever tried to get it off you would know that sticks to metal work well(you must dampen exhaust first). I added the fiberglass strands to bond it even more, and to prevent fire cement from entering the cat,before it sets. Have used the car for approx 100 miles since I put it in, will keep you posted if it comes out. If you have this problem give it a try it will cost you less than £10.00 Cheers Matey C/P

[cornish pasty]

Have just the tool if you would like to cut exhaust,designed to cut stanless steel up to approx 5"dia.(I used it to cut off old outrigger, and works a treat by rotating approx 45o around pipe)
But would still think the prototype pasty paste (patent pending) is still easier and worth a try first.

[cornish pasty]

Try it, send you "Martins Dairy pasty" by return of post if it falls out. (Secret pastys that Emits dont know about!!!)

[cornish pasty]

Chimjunkie said:

Bit of a catch 22 on this one. Want to do the repair and wrap the exhaust manifolds before fitting back onto the car. But the Fire Cement instructions say get it up to maximum working temperature within 3-4 hours of application. Hmmmm. So, had to put manifolds back on without repair or wrapping.
Need them on to test if the engine runs after my rebuild. May then take them off again to wrap properly...

Oh how I love putting them on and taking them off.

Just move Sunday roast over to one side and stick in oven

[cornish pasty]

tvrbob said:

cornish pasty said:

Looked on Chimera pages and they had idea of placing 2 bungs up tail pipes,one with tube in it connected to compressor. I thought this was a good idea

Hi Grant that would be me. My manifold is still leaking, I was planning to swap for some ACT de-precatted manifolds but I could never bring myself to tackle the removal job.

I do like your solution and will think seriously about having a go at that.

Please consider writing it up with pictures to submit to Chimaera Pages. This sort of advice is perfect for that site

Thanks for that will do, if I come up with any other ideas will post on site.