New Manifold Gaskets - Have Scars to Prove It?
Discussion
I got very concerned by the horror stories about removing exhaust manifolds, bolts shearing off etc. So I geared up for a weeks holiday at Easter to do the job, leaving me plenty of time to fix any problems that I encountered.
I did not have any particular problems at all, other than the difficulty with access. Removed both manifolds, had a blow hole in one welded and repainted them both with high temp spray paint.
I took opportunity to visit an Autojumble at Peterborough on Easter Monday and managed to buy 12 stainless steel manifold bolts (less than £2.00 for the lot) plus SS spring washers. Bought the correct "plug" tap to clean out the corresponding threads in the cylinder heads (£4.00). On re-assembly used high temp copper based grease on threads to make future bolt removal easier.
In addition to the blow hole in the mainfold welding, the manifold gaskets directly under the alternator were the ones that were blowing. The Ford service schedule (according to Haynes) says that bolts should be re-tightened each service, but clearly, these are not touched by most garages because access is so difficult and time consuming.
Anyway, I submit this piece to convince others with same problem (common on most S series?) that fixing it is not always such a big drama.
I did not have any particular problems at all, other than the difficulty with access. Removed both manifolds, had a blow hole in one welded and repainted them both with high temp spray paint.
I took opportunity to visit an Autojumble at Peterborough on Easter Monday and managed to buy 12 stainless steel manifold bolts (less than £2.00 for the lot) plus SS spring washers. Bought the correct "plug" tap to clean out the corresponding threads in the cylinder heads (£4.00). On re-assembly used high temp copper based grease on threads to make future bolt removal easier.
In addition to the blow hole in the mainfold welding, the manifold gaskets directly under the alternator were the ones that were blowing. The Ford service schedule (according to Haynes) says that bolts should be re-tightened each service, but clearly, these are not touched by most garages because access is so difficult and time consuming.
Anyway, I submit this piece to convince others with same problem (common on most S series?) that fixing it is not always such a big drama.
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