Exhaust to manifold

[meganwilkinson2008]

Hi has anyone got any tips to seal exhaust to manifold. Have had new clamp but only way i've been able to seal it is by using a sealant and i hate the way that looks very messy. Is there any ring gasket you can use.It has a stainless steel exhaust which was on when i bought it.Have checked manifold and it has no damage.Thanks.

[alexmcguffie]

One thing I have seen used on other cars is high temp fabric exhaust wrap cut into a doughnut. Seemed quite effective and will withstand the temperatures.

[MarkyB]

I think some people have had success with a ring of solid copper wire.
Silicone sealant is OK at exhaust temps too.

[chrisgriffiths]

Hi
I had a similar problem but I placed/wrapped the joint with some metallic heatproof tape then fitted the clamp.
I also tried tinfoil in a similar way and it worked successfully but with the heatproof tape it seems to be a more secure joint
Chris

[bmcecosse]

If you clean the two surfaces and then jack the pipe up onto the manifold - you should be able to fit the clamp and make a gas tight seal without any sealant. I do believe the copper wire ring works well if the surfaces are 'less than prefect' but it's not something I have used.

[meganwilkinson2008]

Great many thanks for the advice I have got some exhaust wrap which I used on the down pipe to keep the heat and noise down. Never thought of using that sounds great thanks a lot.

[ColinChandler]

Hello,
I'd go along with BMC here in supporting the exhaust with a jack. Its easier to see how everything's aligned when the clamp isn't in the way. For my previous attempts, it was a thin smear of paste on the mating face of the pipe and manifold, jack the exhaust up so its lightly but securely pushed into the correct alignment, wipe off any surplus paste that's squeezed out and then fit the clamp. Good luck.
Cheers, Colin.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - ^^^^^^ - that's exactly how to do it. Oh and make sure you have brass nuts on the clamp screws..

[leafie]

Which type of clamp are you using?
I had the same problem using the type with a bolt at one side only, ended up using the cast type with a bolt on both sides after being told they were good and no problem since. On close inspection my exhaust had a very small mark on the lip were I think it had been over tightened in the past. Not by me before anybody asks

[MarkyB]

Whatever you use it must be on the sealing surfaces and maybe in the grooves of the clamp for the belt and braces approach.
The ideal is to put the pipe in position first time then hold it with a jack or a wedge in one go so you can fit the clamp without disturbing the joint.
Make sure there is clearance where the pipe exits the engine bay or it will rattle which is almost as annoying as it blowing

[meganwilkinson2008]

Hi thanks alot for the advice had a go at it today and it seems great now. Did as you said with the jack and used paste on the clamp before i put it on.I've used a new clamp this one has bolts both sides. Have done about twenty miles today and it looks great. Thanks all.

[fredachapman]

Hi

I've tried the paste thing but it keeps shaking loose so I'm bored with that now ... I want to try the copper thing http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?page=336 but not sure what gauge of wire to look for ... has anyone done this? I'm guessing it probably depends on how imperfect the join is in the first place but any advice would be welcome.

Freda

[alexmcguffie]

Maybe find some 1.5mm or 2.5mm twin and earth wire and strip the insulation off it, should do the job. If you don't know, its the sort of wire your house is wired with.

[bmcecosse]

If you make sure the surfaces are clean and un-damaged -and you follow the directions above with a jack etc - and do up the clamp tight, it WILL NOT 'shake loose' - is the rest of the exhaust system properly supported - firm - but able to 'move' with the engine ? This of course depends on your engine not 'shaking' excessively.. Are the engine mounts in good order - and the engine steady in place and correctly adjusted ok ?

[Declan_Burns]

The trick with the wire works quite well. I found that the old cast clamps are much better than the repro clamps being sold.
Size as Alex has mentioned.
Regards
Declan

[bmcecosse]

And you can of course fit a 'steady bracket' from the bellhousing bolts - but most don't need this.. Cue Declan's picture....

[Declan_Burns]

OK Roy
Here's the steady bracket going to the gearbox
Regards
Declan[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

That's the one !

[fredachapman]

Thanks everyone, going to try it today and will check the engine mounts first. Then it'll be a 40 mile drive which should be a decent test.

[ianmack]

I picked up an old cast iron exhaust clamp at an autojumble yesterday, much better than the modern pressed steel type, which seems to be all you can get new.