Exhaust Manifolds

[pwd95]

Can't get my buggers to seal properly. They look in great condition but just won't seal. My mate runs a servicing & MOT centre & even they had a go today & managed to make them worst. Haven't had the bottle to try cutting the strengthening bar yet though. So, anyone got any decent ones they want to swap for some beer tokens.

[Wedg1e]

Stripped threads in the heads are quite common; you wouldn't be able to pull the manifolds up tight for love nor money. 3/8" UNC from memory. If you have washers under the bolt heads, try removing them and see if the bolts will bite into the threads at the bottom of the holes. Or try slightly longer bolts of course...

[pwd95]

Hi Ian, the threads are all good & nip up nicely. Looks to me like the faces of the maniflod aren't parallel & so can't come face to face with the faces of the head if you know what I mean. Why they've suddenly gone like this I don't know.

Going to ask a local engineering company about the possisility of re facing them next week.

[Wedg1e]

pwd95 said:

Hi Ian, the threads are all good & nip up nicely. Looks to me like the faces of the maniflod aren't parallel & so can't come face to face with the faces of the head if you know what I mean.

Aye, that would do it. Clamp in a vice and tickle with an angle grinder?

Sounds like some stress-relieving has gone on once they've heated up.

[rabowman]

Before the 400 SE that I have just sold, I had 3 MG B roadsters with RV8 engines. Double composite gaskits always cured the problem

[mike.williams]

pwd95 said:

Haven't had the bottle to try cutting the strengthening bar yet though. So, anyone got any decent ones they want to swap for some beer tokens.

Go on, cut it!!
you know it makes sense...
You can always tack the two ends of the bar back together after it stops blowing a tune!

Merry Xmas to all by the way! Can't believe sensible people are on here on Xmas day....

[pwd95]

Thanks chaps... I'm up to here in Turkey, Veg & Port at the mo. ......
(+ the 4 pints of lager in the Rugby Club earlier. )

I'm going to give it another go tomorrow. I asked my mate down the garage to cut the bar but he bottled it too.

We'll get there guys. Merry Xmast to you.

[mike.williams]

That sounds great! apart from the lager...
I'm sat all alone() in Frankfurt airport waiting to come home, postponed Xmas till tomorrow, must make up for it then!!

[grahamw48]

As a miserable old bd and an atheist scrooge, xmas day is my favourite time to be alone...hope nobody knocks on the door.

[Mr Tank]

Hi

Double up on the gaskets, I had a blow from one on my new 350i and a double gasket cured it!

If that dosn't work then you can try cutting!

Hope you all have had a good and happy Christmas!

Going to give the TVRs a present tomorrow giving them all a good clean!

Andy

[adam quantrill]

Merry Xmas to all!

Have you tried exhaust assembly paste on the gaskets too?

Also try nipping up cold, then run the engine on tickover for a few mins, and nip htem up again hot, then cold again. TRY NOT TO BURN YOUR FINGERS (LIKE I DID YESTERDAY COOKING THE GOOSE!)

[rev-erend]

Personally if they look to be out of alignment then I would remove the steel bars .. then put all the bolts on (8) then do them all up bit at a time - dont make the mistake of doing one up, then the next then the next .. you really need to draw the manifold to the head slowly and evenly ..

Before you do that - check the face of the manifold is flat .. if there are pits then high temp exhaust silicon can help if used in addition to the usual gasket.

[pwd95]

Got two sets of big bore gaskets coming from V8D, hopefully be sorted before the New Year.

[pwd95]

Job done. Put two sets of large bore gaskets from V8D in & it's sealed up nicely.