manifold washers

[wibble_puppy]

ok guys i now have my manifold off the engine, bead blasted, and painted (within 40 minutes of blasting) with VHT (1500 F) coating!!!

*does a lap of honour!!!!!!!!*

so now my question is:

there are six washers under the pretty brass manifold nuts.

Four are thick and heavy. No questions concerning these, m'lud.

The other two, the ones which go on the end two studs, seem to be slightly different thicknesses - one is really pretty thin.

Is there a reason for the difference in their thickness?

juliet xxxx

[Alec]

Hello Juliet,

the thick washers act as a bridge to support both the inlet and outlet flanges, as the two halves share one stud. It is only the outer two that have the stud passing through the flange, I normally have a spring washer at the two outer studs.

Alec

[wibble_puppy]

I normally have a spring washer at the two outer studs.

Hmmm the ones I've just taken off mine are solid, rather than spring washers. And different thicknesses. The mystery deepens.

[RogerRust]

Same here - I noticed that they were different thickness when I took them off. I can't say which was thick or thin. I threw them out and put two new thick ones on!

[Peetee]

Of the four Minors I have owned, none have had spring washers on the manifold studs.

[rayofleamington]

Of the four Minors I have owned, none have had spring washers on the manifold studs.

some of mine had spring washers, however none of my cars were particularly well looked after
I'ts common practise to use a spring washer on these 2 but that doesn't mean it is 'original'

[bmcecosse]

Ideally - should be a solid washer followed by a spring washer - but in the grand order of things - it really doesn't matter.

[dunketh]

The ones that support both the inlet and outlet are thick, the outer two are thin. Its been the same on all three of the engines I've had.
I guess people chuck any old rubbish on there over the years.