LCB Exhaust Manifold

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:58 pm

Trying to find one of these on ebay is like looking for hens teeth. Then an idea crossed my mind. Why not hire a pipe bender (hire shops, hopefully) and make my own. Just an idea at the moment. Has anyone done this?
Does anyone have any photos of a Moggy one?

Last option, does anyone have a surplus LCB?

Post by **youngun** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:31 pm

I shud be getting one in the next few days thanks to a helpful site member. Id be happy to give you dimensions etc

yg

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:34 pm

Cheers YG that would be very useful, as would any photos.

Post by **youngun** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:37 pm

No problem!

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:48 pm

hth ;)
a

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:53 pm

Cheers Andrew, thats the sort of photos Im looking for. Think I will call in at local Mini dealers with my camera. This is starting to look doable.
So all the pipes come out of head at just below horizontal, hmmm.

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:56 pm

Can't see why not - collectors/joins might be slightly tricky, but certainly doable
a

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:08 pm

Yes, that is what has put me off in the past, the joints. Mind you you will possibly be able to buy the bottom 2-1 from Mini suppliers. Price depending of course.

Post by **JimK** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:02 am

You can definitely buy 2-into-1 collectors off the shelf from a variety of suppliers. There are some on eBay, and I've found others. For instance: http://www.pipewerx.com/

As for joints: Given my lacking of welding savvy (and of a welder) I've looked into other possibilities. I'm currently waiting to hear back from an adhesives supplier who sells a product specifically for 300-series stainless, and which has a 1100°C temperature limit. I reckon that's high enough for a manifold.

Post by **wanderinstar** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:19 pm

Hi Jim, But I wouldn't have thought glue would work in this instance. The edges will be a very thin area to glue to. Come to think of it I went to a firm the other week and they supplied tape to repair oil and steam pipelines. this chap said if a pipe ruptured this tape was used and the joint could withstand the same pressure as the original pipe. Trouble is I cant remember where it was.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:23 pm

Glue will definitely NOT work!! Needs welding. If you get in to 'production' Ian - let me know the cost.
The pictures from Andrew (BG) are excellent - from these you can scale the various sizes needed. An old Mini lcb will yield the manifold/head flanges - and take it from there. You've got me wondering why I haven't done it already! I know - I just don't have any time !! And thats' when early retired.

Post by **wanderinstar** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:24 am

Yes, will definitly have to get my hands on a Mini one to get some closeup photos and a good look. Don't suppose there are any local plumbers on here with a redundant copperpipe bender???? Just a long shot.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:15 pm

You can always fill the pipe with dry sand - heat it up red hot and then gently bend it round a wood former. The beauty of the manifold as shown in Andrew's pics is that there are no really tight bends - all gentle curves. Great for gas flow - and easier to make too.

Post by **wanderinstar** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:27 pm

Yes, that is what we used to do at college to bend steam pipes. Used to fix a clamp in one end of pipe to compress the sand. But it HAD to be dry sand or else it would blow the plug out of the other end of the pipe. Will try it in M/s first in case of cockups

One thing that baffles me. On the side view of Andrews engine there are 2 grey pipes or cables coming out of bottom front corner of block. What are they?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:51 pm

Think they are fuel pipes - from the mechanical pump. They are different in the two pics. What bothers me is the huge lum on the rocker cover!!
BTW Ian - nice TR7 16v for sale near you!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Triumph-TR7-FHC-1 ... dZViewItem

Post by **wanderinstar** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:55 pm

If it is who I think it is it's just round the corner, he used to have a Vitesse.

Post by **bigginger** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:27 pm

bmcecosse wrote:What bothers me is the huge lum on the rocker cover!!

It's a Maestro rocker cover - just on 'cos it looks weird

Fuel pipes are a worry - v close to the exhaust, so some routing/shielding thought still to be done

Post by **JimK** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 8:24 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Glue will definitely NOT work!! Needs welding.

How do you know? Does a manifold get hotter than 1100°C? There are adhesives as tough as welded joints, you just have to structure the joint a bit differently - overlap, perhaps or some reinforcing wrapped round the outside.

Unless you're an adhesives expert and know otherwise, of course.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:14 am

Believe me - it won't work! It want's welding.