Morris Minor Owners Club

Anyone know if it's possible to weld a cast exhaust manifold? A guy down the road has a kit car based on an Austin 1300 and says the manifold's cracked. I was wondering if it's worth offering to weld it for him and if my little 90A gasless MIG would be up to it.

There's an article here about welding cast iron with a MIG set: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/cast-iron.htm

If it's the cast one - then don't waste time - they are ' 10 a penny' and the welding won't last 5 minutes with MIG. Only hope is heating it red hot - and then stick welding with special 'cast' rods - really not worth it for such a common part. So saying - i've never heard of them cracking anyway - what's happened to it ?

I've heard of them being migged up by leaving a reasonable gap and heating them in the oven to about 220oC before, welding in short runs. Apparently mig brazing is a good way of doing this! If it is the cast manifold then as BMCEcosse says they're easy enough to find. But sometimes it's nice to give these things a go. I spent yesterday welding the top plate on an old lawn mower!

I don't really know what happened to it, the guy just popped round Monday night to ask my advice (I'd offered to help him do a service as he's not that mechanically minded) so I've not actually seen it. I suggested he should try Ebay for a replacement but then wondered if it might be weldable, sounds like Ebay would be the easiest option now then.

Thanks guys.

A Mini LCB should fit, and can be had for 30 - 40 quid for a cheapo. I'd imagine a Mini cast manifold would fit (and is probably the same thing!) and can be had for free on a good day.

It might be worth having a play with the old one to weld it up for fun, but for speed and effectiveness slapping a replacement on would seem the best idea.

I have MIGged a few cast zorst manifolds with no ill effects.

Toast it first with a blowlamp if your worried, or just crank up the power and let rip to ensure good penetration and heat soak!!!

Welded some steel tube to a the cast Toyota manifold for the 4AGE in one of the Minis to make a Y piece. Don't tell, but I did this straight from cold and has lasted for 18 months which is a bit of a surprise for a bodged butt weld to cast !

brazing can work ok on cast manifolds... (it worked ok in Africa)

I believe on the PPC rolls royce they had to chop the exhaust manifold into three to weld in a bit of bentlly turbo manifold. They couldn't get the mig to take so brazed it. I'm sure a turbo manifold will see more heat than a moggy ever will unless its driven into the sun!