Replacing manifold gaskets
Discussion
Hi,
I’ve been told that my engine ticking is a leaking manifold gasket. Oh joy! The garage has offered to sort it and have given me a price to do so. I’m not sure what price would be reasonable for the job, but I’m aware it’s a horrible job to do! Question is, should I try and do it at home? Or will I get frustrated and annoyed and wish I’d got the garage to do it?!
I’ve also got a replacement clutch kit, presumably I will need to remove the exhaust to change the manifold gaskets, so it’s probably worthwhile fitting that at the same time.
What’s involved in changing the manifold gaskets? Should I get the garage to do it or struggle in my single garage?!
Also, I want to remove the pre-cats, do they simply knock out the manifolds whilst they're out, or do they need drilling and destroying?!
Cheers,
Dan
I’ve been told that my engine ticking is a leaking manifold gasket. Oh joy! The garage has offered to sort it and have given me a price to do so. I’m not sure what price would be reasonable for the job, but I’m aware it’s a horrible job to do! Question is, should I try and do it at home? Or will I get frustrated and annoyed and wish I’d got the garage to do it?!
I’ve also got a replacement clutch kit, presumably I will need to remove the exhaust to change the manifold gaskets, so it’s probably worthwhile fitting that at the same time.
What’s involved in changing the manifold gaskets? Should I get the garage to do it or struggle in my single garage?!
Also, I want to remove the pre-cats, do they simply knock out the manifolds whilst they're out, or do they need drilling and destroying?!
Cheers,
Dan
Ha! I'm in the process of this myself...
http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/171633/1998...
Look at the pics and appraise it. I'm moderately handy with a spanner and its been a struggle for me. A normal garage will also struggle, many have said its a TVR specialists favourite as its worth knowing the "knack" to getting the bolts out.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/171633/1998...
Look at the pics and appraise it. I'm moderately handy with a spanner and its been a struggle for me. A normal garage will also struggle, many have said its a TVR specialists favourite as its worth knowing the "knack" to getting the bolts out.
I changed my manifolds to Clive Ford stainless at home in my garage last April with a decent selection of spanners and car on 500mm axle stands. Managed it all in 1 day even though it was only 7 weeks after I'd had a new heart valve fitted!
I'm not a trained mechanic just picked up a bit of knowledge on the way, did manage it without removing the starter motor, benefit of long thin fingers & hands and a stubby spanner
I'm not a trained mechanic just picked up a bit of knowledge on the way, did manage it without removing the starter motor, benefit of long thin fingers & hands and a stubby spanner
The manifold gasket change is one of those jobs that will either go ok, or you wish you had never started.
Assuming you do not snap any bolts off in the block and the bolts are not seized, it is nothing more than a fiddly job using every type of 9/16th spanner you can lay your hands on to undo the bottom row of bolts. I recently did mine with some help from a friend and his collection of spanners. The two bottom ones at the back are the hardest to reach from the top but it can be done. They can also be accessed from underneath but you need to remove the exhaust on the passenger side and possibly the starter on the drivers side. One of the bottom middle bolts will not come all the way out, and you need to undo it whilst moving the manifold away from the block. It took us about 2 hours to change the gaskets on one side of the car. The other side was not leaking and was left alone.
Make sure you get the right sized gaskets as there are two different port sizes available. My 500 Chim, and I assume they are all the same, needed the larger of the two gasket sizes. Got them from ebay
I also fitted some shorter bolts when putting it back together - again ebay
If it helps as a comparison, I think I was quoted approximately £300 to do both sides inclusive of VAT, parts and labour by my local TVR specialist (PPC).
As for removing the precats, this is much easier to do with the manifold off the car. Although I have not personally done this, I understand it is just a case of using a long screwdriver/chisel/drill to destroy them and then pull the bits out. Not sure if a TVR specialist would do this for you or not.
Hope that helps.
Assuming you do not snap any bolts off in the block and the bolts are not seized, it is nothing more than a fiddly job using every type of 9/16th spanner you can lay your hands on to undo the bottom row of bolts. I recently did mine with some help from a friend and his collection of spanners. The two bottom ones at the back are the hardest to reach from the top but it can be done. They can also be accessed from underneath but you need to remove the exhaust on the passenger side and possibly the starter on the drivers side. One of the bottom middle bolts will not come all the way out, and you need to undo it whilst moving the manifold away from the block. It took us about 2 hours to change the gaskets on one side of the car. The other side was not leaking and was left alone.
Make sure you get the right sized gaskets as there are two different port sizes available. My 500 Chim, and I assume they are all the same, needed the larger of the two gasket sizes. Got them from ebay
I also fitted some shorter bolts when putting it back together - again ebay
If it helps as a comparison, I think I was quoted approximately £300 to do both sides inclusive of VAT, parts and labour by my local TVR specialist (PPC).
As for removing the precats, this is much easier to do with the manifold off the car. Although I have not personally done this, I understand it is just a case of using a long screwdriver/chisel/drill to destroy them and then pull the bits out. Not sure if a TVR specialist would do this for you or not.
Hope that helps.
£300 is cheap!
I've been quoted more than that, but I've given it some thought and I don't think I'm going to have the time or inclination to do it myself!! So I've booked it in. He's also going to remove the pre-cats, so I'm looking forward to a slightly cooler engine bay, slighter louder exhaust and a slightly freer flowing exhaust!
I've been quoted more than that, but I've given it some thought and I don't think I'm going to have the time or inclination to do it myself!! So I've booked it in. He's also going to remove the pre-cats, so I'm looking forward to a slightly cooler engine bay, slighter louder exhaust and a slightly freer flowing exhaust!
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